Systems and methods for full spectrum solar thermal energy harvesting and storage by molecular and phase change material hybrids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solar-thermal approaches face high heat losses and temporal energy losses due to reliance on costly optical concentration systems and separate infrastructures for energy harvesting and storage, limiting efficient 24/7 energy delivery.
Innovation Solution
A molecular and phase change hybrid apparatus combining molecular energy storage and latent heat storage, using a phase change material and molecular storage material to capture the full solar spectrum for both day and night operations, with a heat transfer fluid to transfer heat and energy between layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If optical concentration systems are used for solar thermal energy harvesting, then energy harvesting efficiency is improved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines energy harvesting and energy storage functions into a single integrated apparatus. The solar thermal energy is simultaneously harvested by the phase change material and stored in the molecular storage material through thermal communication, eliminating the need for separate harvesting and storage infrastructures and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The phase change material serves multiple functions: it acts as both the solar thermal energy harvesting medium (absorbing solar radiation and undergoing phase change) and the thermal energy transfer medium (communicating heat to the molecular storage material). This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed and simplifies the system architecture.
2Quantity of substance
If separate infrastructures for energy harvesting and storage are used, then energy storage capacity is improved, but heat losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The phase change material acts as an intermediary between solar radiation and the molecular storage material. It absorbs solar energy, undergoes phase change, and then communicates thermal energy to the molecular storage material through direct thermal contact, enabling efficient energy transfer with minimal heat losses compared to separate infrastructure systems.
Solution Approach 2:
By merging the harvesting and storage functions into one integrated system with direct thermal communication between components, the patent eliminates the thermal interfaces and heat transfer pathways that exist in separate infrastructure systems, thereby reducing heat losses while maintaining storage capacity.
3Quantity of substance
If molecular storage material is used for energy storage, then energy density is improved, but thermal communication efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The phase change material serves as an intermediary that bridges the thermal communication gap between solar radiation and the molecular storage material. It efficiently absorbs solar energy and transfers it thermally to the molecular storage material, enabling effective thermal communication despite the high energy density requirements of molecular storage.
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
Achieves high harvesting efficiency (73% during the day and 80% at night) with minimal material degradation, providing continuous energy delivery and higher temperatures than state-of-the-art systems, suitable for applications like power generation, desalination, and distillation.
Implementation Method 1
The bottom layer includes a phase change material and is configured for storing heat in the phase change material in the presence of solar radiation, based on absorbing full spectrum solar radiation
Implementation Method 2
storing a first heat in a phase change material in the presence of solar radiation based on absorbing full spectrum solar radiation
Implementation Method 3
The top layer includes a molecular storage material configured to absorb full spectrum solar radiation
Implementation Method 4
the molecular storage material may be configured to isomerize a parent molecule into a child molecule upon exposure to full spectrum solar radiation
Implementation Method 5
The tube includes a heat transfer liquid
Implementation Method 6
The middle layer including silica aerogel
Data Source
AI summary
A method for full spectrum solar thermal energy harvesting and collection includes storing a first heat in a phase change material in the presence of solar radiation based on absorbing full spectrum solar radiation, harvesting a second heat from the phase change material in the presence of solar radiation, storing molecular energy in a molecular storage material in the presence of solar radiation based on absorbing full spectrum solar radiation, transferring the second heat from the phase change material to the molecular storage material in the absence of solar radiation, and harvesting the molecular energy released by the molecular storage material.