Solid particle receiver with porous structure for flow regulation and enhancement of heat transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solid particle receivers suffer from low conversion efficiency due to the rapid free-fall of particles, which limits residence time and allows radiation to penetrate voids, reducing the absorption of concentrated sunlight.
Innovation Solution
A porous structure is integrated into the receiver system to impede particle movement, reducing velocity and increasing residence time, while also absorbing radiation that penetrates between particles, using a combination of foam blocks, mesh screens, and staggered series to enhance energy absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If particles are allowed to fall freely in the cavity, then the结构简单 (structure is simple), but the residence time is short and conversion efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a porous structure (foam blocks, mesh screens) into the receiver cavity to impede particle movement. The porous material creates a resistance to particle flow, extending residence time without requiring complex mechanical barriers. The porous structure allows particles to percolate through while being slowed down, achieving both extended residence time and maintained structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver is divided into multiple sections with different porous elements (foam blocks at the top, mesh screens at the bottom). This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function: foam blocks provide initial impedance and radiation absorption, while mesh screens provide fine filtration and additional residence time extension. This modular approach maintains ease of manufacture while achieving high conversion efficiency.
2Loss of energy
If particles fall rapidly through the cavity, then the structure is simple, but radiation penetrates voids and is not absorbed
Solution Approach 1:
The porous structure serves dual functions: it impedes particle velocity to increase residence time, and it absorbs radiation that would otherwise penetrate through voids between particles. The porous material's large surface area and radiative properties capture stray radiation, converting it to heat that is then transferred to particles, thereby reducing radiation loss and energy waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of radiation penetration through particle voids into a beneficial heating mechanism. The porous structure absorbs the penetrating radiation and re-radiates or conducts heat back to the particles, transforming energy loss into useful heat transfer. This converts what was previously a loss mechanism into a supplementary heating pathway.
3Duration of action of moving object
If porous structure is added to impede particles, then residence time increases and efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The porous structure provides an elegant solution to extend residence time without complex mechanics. By utilizing the natural flow resistance of porous materials, particles are slowed down as they percolate through the foam and mesh, automatically extending residence time. This passive flow control mechanism avoids the need for active control systems, mechanical barriers, or complex geometries, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver employs composite construction combining foam blocks and mesh screens - two different porous materials with complementary properties. This composite approach allows optimization of each material for its specific function while achieving overall performance enhancement. The composite structure is easier to manufacture and assemble than a single complex component, as each material can be selected and fabricated independently using standard processes.
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 significantly increases the solar energy conversion efficiency by prolonging particle residence time, minimizing radiation losses, and ensuring that most sunlight is absorbed by the particles or the porous structure, leading to higher temperature attainment and reduced particle drift.
Implementation Method 1
a porous structure having a size to impede movement of the particles during downward travel from the top end to the bottom end
Implementation Method 2
absorbing radiation that penetrates between particles
Implementation Method 3
the concentrated sunlight passing through the aperture was captured directly by the solid particle curtain. As a result, the temperature of the solid particles rose significantly
Data Source
AI summary
There is disclosed a receiver panel. In an embodiment, the panel is configured to receive a curtain of particles in a solar central receiver system. A porous structure of the panel has a top end and a bottom end. The porous structure is disposed between the top end and the bottom end. The porous structure has a size to impede movement of the particles during downward travel from the top end to the bottom end. There is disclosed a solar central receiver system. In an embodiment, the receiver system includes a plurality of receiver panels, a tower supporting the plurality of receiver panels in a configuration to receive solar irradiation, and a hopper forming a slot configured to dispose the particles at a given location on to the porous structure. Other embodiments are also disclosed.