Solid absorber for heating and cooling purposes in buildings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solid absorbers for thermal solar collectors in buildings suffer from low thermal efficiency and lack long-term storage capabilities, requiring external electrical energy and attachment to building structures.
Innovation Solution
A column-like solid absorber with concentric shells, incorporating a sheet metal absorber, buffer storage, insulating layers, and latent heat storage using phase change materials (PCMs) to enhance thermal efficiency and enable self-sufficient heating and cooling over extended periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If simple single-shell concrete absorber bodies are used, then the device complexity is low, but the thermal efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-shell nested structure where inner concrete absorber bodies are placed within outer shells. This nested arrangement increases the thermal mass and surface area for heat absorption without significantly increasing structural complexity, thereby improving thermal efficiency while maintaining relative simplicity of the overall design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines concrete materials with different thermal properties in a multi-shell configuration. By using composite concrete structures with varying densities and thermal conductivities across different shells, the system optimizes both heat absorption and storage capabilities, resolving the contradiction between simple design and thermal efficiency.
2Reliability
If solar collectors are installed at some distance from the building, then the building structure is not compromised, but long-term storage capability is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates large thermal mass concrete bodies that pre-store thermal energy during daytime solar exposure. This preliminary energy storage in the concrete structure enables the system to provide heating or cooling independently over extended periods without requiring immediate connection to the building or external energy sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thermal parameters of the absorber by using massive concrete structures with high heat capacity. This parameter change enables long-term energy storage capability, allowing the independently installed collectors to sustain building climate control over extended periods without building attachment.
3Ease of operation
If external electrical energy is supplied to the absorber system, then the system can operate, but the system becomes dependent on external power sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the absorber system to be self-sufficient by utilizing the thermal energy stored in the concrete structures. The system serves itself by naturally storing and releasing thermal energy based on solar input and building needs, eliminating dependence on external electrical power sources while maintaining operational capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic thermal cycling where the concrete absorbers charge during daytime solar exposure and discharge during nighttime or cloudy periods. This periodic charge-discharge operation enables the system to function autonomously without external power, adapting to natural solar cycles while providing continuous climate control.
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
The solution achieves high thermal efficiency and long-term energy storage, allowing for self-sufficient heating and cooling of buildings without external energy sources, using solar and wind power for operation and storage.
Implementation Method 1
a sheet metal absorber (37) arranged to capture the sunlight, which releases its thermal energy
Implementation Method 2
latent heat storage devices (57), in particular using phase change materials (PCMs)
Implementation Method 3
latent heat storage devices (57), in particular using phase change materials (PCMs)
Implementation Method 4
The heat transfer medium flow thus formed in the interior of the column is connected in a fluid-conducting manner via supply and return lines to a building-side heat exchanger
Implementation Method 5
a third shell of the solid absorber is designed as an insulation layer (34) encompassing several sides of the solid absorber
Data Source
Figure 1~1D
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Freestanding solid absorber in the form of a column (2) erected remotely from a building, consisting of a load-bearing concrete body (39, 58) in which the tubes (68) of a heat exchanger (38) are embedded, wherein the solid absorber consists of several mutually concentric shells (32, 33, 34, 39), one of which is designed as a load-bearing concrete body (39, 58), and wherein the first, outermost shell consists of a glass pane (32) encompassing several sides of the solid absorber (2) and capturing sunlight, which defines an air gap (33) encompassing several sides of the solid absorber (2) as a second shell, which air gap defines a primary heat exchanger (36) as a third shell, which is embedded in a first buffer storage tank (35).