Solid state solar thermal energy collector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solar thermal energy systems face challenges such as high costs, complexity, and inefficiencies due to the use of exotic materials and the need for large, expensive storage tanks and plumbing systems, particularly in utility-scale CSP systems, which also suffer from land use inefficiency, avian and aircraft safety issues, and high operational expenses.
Innovation Solution
A modular concentrating solar energy collection system that stores energy in a proximal bed of solid state material, using materials like basalt sand or graphite for thermal energy storage, with concentrating optics positioned close to the storage material to directly absorb and store heat, reducing the need for long-distance heat transport and exotic materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If liquid heat transfer fluids and storage tanks are used in conventional solar thermal systems, then heat can be stored and transported, but system cost and complexity increase significantly due to expensive tanks, plumbing, pumps, and valves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heat transfer function from separate liquid fluid systems and integrates it directly into the solid thermal storage material itself. The solid material serves dual purposes as both storage medium and heat transfer medium, eliminating the need for separate tanks, plumbing, pumps, and valves that would otherwise be required to handle liquid heat transfer fluids.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of thermal energy storage and heat transfer into a single solid material system. By combining these functions into one integrated system rather than using separate components, the patent eliminates complex plumbing infrastructure while maintaining both storage and heat transfer capabilities.
2Productivity
If molten salt is used as heat transfer fluid at high temperatures, then energy storage efficiency improves, but expensive exotic materials and specialized equipment are required to withstand the high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive, readily available solid materials such as rocks, sand, or ceramic beads that can withstand high temperatures without requiring expensive exotic materials. These common materials replace costly molten salt systems while maintaining high-temperature operational capability and energy storage efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state parameter from liquid (molten salt) to solid (rocks, sand, ceramic beads), allowing the system to operate at high temperatures using inexpensive materials that maintain structural integrity without requiring specialized high-temperature resistant alloys or complex containment systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If heat is transported over long distances from collector to storage, then system flexibility increases, but heat loss increases and insulation requirements become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the thermal storage system into multiple distributed modular units, each with its own collecting optics and storage material. This allows heat to be stored locally at each module rather than transported long distances, minimizing heat loss while maintaining system flexibility through modular configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from centralized long-distance heat transport to distributed local storage by arranging multiple independent modules in space. Each module handles its own heat locally, eliminating the need for extensive insulation and heat transport infrastructure while maintaining system adaptability through modular deployment.
4Productivity
If large arrays of mirrors are used in CSP systems, then solar energy collection increases, but land use efficiency decreases and avian/aircraft safety issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the solar energy collection system into numerous small modular units, each with its own collecting optics and storage material. This segmentation allows for compact arrangement of multiple collection points in a smaller total area compared to large continuous mirror arrays, improving land use efficiency while maintaining total energy collection capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional large-area mirror arrays to three-dimensionally arranged modular units with vertical stacking capability. This allows solar energy collection to occur in a compact footprint by utilizing vertical space and multiple elevation levels, significantly improving land use efficiency.
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 approach reduces costs and complexity, improves land use efficiency, enhances safety, and increases energy production efficiency by allowing higher temperature operation, leading to more efficient energy storage and retrieval without the need for extensive plumbing and tank systems.
Implementation Method 1
light concentrating optics, proximal to the bed of solid thermal storage material, heating it directly
Implementation Method 2
heating it directly; absorbing and storing the received energy as heat
Implementation Method 3
bed of solid thermal storage material... absorbing and storing the received energy as heat
Implementation Method 4
storing the received energy in the bed of solid thermal storage material
Implementation Method 5
an insulating layer surrounding the bed of thermal storage material
Data Source
AI summary
A system for receiving, transferring, and storing solar thermal energy. The system includes a concentrating solar energy collector, a transfer conduit, a thermal storage material, and an insulated container. The insulated container contains the thermal storage material, and the transfer conduit is configured to transfer solar energy collected by the solar energy collector to the thermal storage material through a wall of the insulated container.