System and method for thermo-mechanical monitoring of a solar receiver
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thermal monitoring systems for CSP tower technology are inadequate as they only provide thermal monitoring and not thermo-mechanical monitoring, which is essential for ensuring the integrity of solar receiver panel tubes under high thermal flux, and fail to accurately calculate maximum tube temperatures and mechanical strains.
Innovation Solution
A thermo-mechanical monitoring system using IR cameras, flowmeters, and temperature sensors to calculate energy balance and mechanical strains, with a data processing system that compares these values to predefined thresholds, generating alarms and adjusting heliostat radiation to prevent excessive loading and ensure safe operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If thermal monitoring is performed using IR cameras, then thermal image capture is achieved, but thermo-mechanical monitoring capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines thermal monitoring (IR cameras) with mechanical strain monitoring (surface extensometers) into a unified thermo-mechanical monitoring system. This integration allows simultaneous measurement of both temperature and strain fields, resolving the insufficiency of thermal-only monitoring by merging two complementary measurement techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system is designed to perform multiple functions: thermal imaging, strain measurement, and comprehensive thermo-mechanical analysis. By making the system universal and multi-functional, it simultaneously provides thermal monitoring capability while adding thermo-mechanical monitoring capability, thus resolving the contradiction between the two.
2Reliability
If maximum tube temperature and strain are calculated, then tube integrity assessment is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a data processing system that acts as an intermediary between the measurement devices (IR cameras, extensometers) and the integrity assessment. This intermediary automatically performs the complex calculations of maximum temperature and strain, transforming raw measurement data into meaningful integrity indicators without requiring complex manual analysis procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system automatically calculates maximum tube temperature and strain values, and performs integrity assessment without requiring external complex processing. The system serves itself by integrating all necessary computational functions within the data processing unit, thereby improving reliability while keeping the overall system architecture manageable.
3Reliability
If heliostat radiation defocusing is implemented, then tube damage prevention is improved, but operational flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements preliminary anti-action by detecting thermo-mechanical stress conditions before tube damage occurs. When critical thresholds are approached, the system proactively triggers heliostat radiation defocusing to prevent damage. This preventive approach protects tube integrity while maintaining operational flexibility by only activating defocusing when necessary, rather than imposing continuous restrictions.
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 system effectively monitors and manages thermal and mechanical stresses on solar receiver panel tubes, preventing damage by accurately calculating maximum temperatures and strains, and automatically adjusting heliostat radiation to maintain safe operating conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of thermal imaging devices located on ground and mounted each on a securing and orienting device, for measuring infrared radiation emitted by the external surface of the receiver
Implementation Method 2
absorber panels making a thermal shield 2 and attached all around a steel structure... The solar receiver panels 30 are made of straight welded tubes 6 with a front face exposed to solar irradiation
Data Source
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AI summary
A concentrated solar power (CSP) plant comprising a plurality of heliostats or heliostat field, a substantially cylindrical solar energy receiver (3), preferably a molten salt solar receiver (MSSR), located atop a central tower (1) and having an external surface covered with receiver panels (30) and a heat shield (2) adjacent the solar receiver (3), the heliostats reflecting solar energy to said external surface of the receiver (3), each receiver panel (30) comprising a plurality of heat exchanger tubes (6) for transporting a heat transfer fluid, which are partly exposed on the external surface of the receiver and comprising a thermo- mechanical monitoring system to ensure the integrity of the solar receiver panel tubes in operation, said thermomechanical monitoring system comprising a data processing system for calculating and/or supplying respectively the maximum temperature, temperature profile and/or absorbed power profile in each heat exchanger tube (6) and theoretical mechanical strains assigned to each heat exchanger tube (6) as a function of the temperature provided by the imaging devices (7, 7A, 7B, etc.), in order to control if the operating point of an area located on the solar receiver (3) is within an operating envelope (16) in the 2D-space theoretical strain/Tmax defining predefined temperature and strain thresholds and in order to emit alerts in the event of exceeding said predefined temperature and strain thresholds, while being outside said envelope (16) and further to require heliostat radiation defocusing on said area.