Solar Receiver With Beam-Manipulating Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar receivers for line-shaped focusing mirror elements face inefficiencies in both thermal and electrical energy conversion due to heat radiation loss and interference from cladding tube walls, which compromise overall energy efficiency and require complex maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A receiver design featuring a thermally conductive hollow profile with solar cells inside a transparent cladding tube, where a beam-manipulating element is positioned between the cladding tube and solar cells, enhancing thermal insulation and protection while allowing for efficient energy conversion by focusing solar radiation onto individual focal points for improved electrical energy generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the receiver is arranged directly above the linearly focusing mirror element to optimize electrical efficiency, then solar radiation impinges on the concentrator elements without attenuation, but thermal efficiency is reduced by heat radiation to the environment
Solution Approach 1:
A transparent cladding tube is introduced as an intermediary element between the solar radiation source and the receiver components. This cladding tube allows solar radiation to pass through while providing thermal insulation to reduce heat radiation losses to the environment, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining electrical efficiency and reducing thermal energy loss.
2Loss of energy
If a transparent cladding tube is used to reduce heat losses, then thermal insulation is improved, but the cladding tube wall interferes with solar radiation reaching the solar cells
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver system is segmented into distinct functional zones: the transparent cladding tube provides thermal insulation in the outer region, while the inner region contains the solar cells and beam-manipulating elements that directly convert solar radiation to electrical energy. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its function without interfering with the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Beam-manipulating elements are positioned as intermediaries between the cladding tube wall and the solar cells. These elements manipulate the solar radiation path to ensure optimal illumination of the solar cells while maintaining the thermal insulation benefits of the cladding tube.
3Loss of energy
If the hollow profile and solar cells are arranged in a transparent cladding tube for thermal insulation, then heat loss is reduced, but maintenance complexity increases due to the integrated structure
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver system is designed with dynamic adjustability, allowing the hollow profile and solar cells to be repositioned or adjusted within the cladding tube. This dynamic design enables maintenance personnel to access and service components without completely disassembling the integrated structure, thus maintaining thermal insulation benefits while improving maintenance accessibility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design increases thermal energy generation efficiency by reducing heat loss and maintains solar cell performance while simplifying maintenance through a fixed, integrated structure, suitable for two-axis tracking solar systems.
Implementation Method 1
A beam-manipulating element, with which solar radiation is bundled in individual focal points along the focal line in a linearly focused manner
Implementation Method 2
A beam-manipulating element, with which solar radiation is bundled in individual focal points along the focal line in a linearly focused manner
Implementation Method 3
A beam-manipulating element, with which solar radiation is bundled in individual focal points along the focal line in a linearly focused manner
Implementation Method 4
solar cells arranged on one side of the hollow profile for converting solar radiation into electrical energy
Implementation Method 5
The solar cells and the hollow profile are thermally conductively connected
Implementation Method 6
the hollow profile with the solar cells arranged on it is arranged in a transparent cladding tube
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a receiver (4) for mounting in the focal line of a solar collector (1) having a linear focusing mirror element (3). The receiver (4) has an elongate hollow profile (10) with a duct (11) for heat transfer fluid, and solar cells (12) on one side of the hollow profile (10) for converting solar radiation into electrical energy. The solar cells (12) and the hollow profile (10) are heat-conductively connected and mounted in a transparent protective tube (13). Between the protective tube (13) and the solar cells (12) is at least one beam-manipulating element, and the hollow profile (10), solar cells (12), protective tube (13) and beam-manipulating element of the receiver (4) are positioned in fixed relation to each other. The invention also relates to a solar plant (1) having a linear focusing optical element (3) with a receiver (4) mounted in its focal line, and according to the invention the receiver (4) is designed and arranged so that the solar cells (12) of the receiver (4) are facing the linear focusing optical element (3).