Toroidal Getter Assembly for Solar Receiver Tube Hydrogen Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solar collector receiver tubes face efficiency issues due to hydrogen presence, which increases thermal conductivity and can lead to fluid decomposition, gas accumulation, and structural deterioration, particularly at high temperatures, and existing getter systems fail to effectively manage temperature and powder generation in series-connected tubes.
Innovation Solution
A getter system with a toroidal-shaped container housing compressed getter material pills, featuring a cross-section width between 1.05 and 1.2 times the pill diameter, and elastic anchoring means, which helps in maintaining optimal getter material temperature, reducing powder generation, and adapting to different tube types and temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the receiver tube is heated to high temperatures (>300°C) during conditioning and degassing phase, then the getter system activation is improved, but the risk of exceeding thermo-mechanical resistance of glass-metal joint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies heating locally and selectively to specific regions of the receiver tube containing the getter material, rather than uniformly heating the entire tube assembly. This localized heating approach concentrates thermal energy where needed for getter activation while minimizing thermal stress on the glass-metal joint, thus resolving the contradiction between effective getter activation and joint integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs the high-temperature activation of the getter system as a preliminary action during the installation and conditioning phase, before the receiver tube begins its normal operational cycle. This timing strategy allows the system to withstand high temperatures temporarily during setup without compromising long-term reliability, as the glass-metal joint is not subjected to sustained high-temperature stress during normal operation
2Productivity
If the number of receiver tubes connected in series is increased to achieve efficient thermal exchange, then productivity is improved, but the maximum temperature in the system increases causing fluid deterioration and excessive outgassing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism through the getter system that continuously monitors and responds to gas accumulation in the receiver tube. As more receiver tubes are added in series and outgassing increases, the getter material actively absorbs the released gases (H2, CO, CO2, hydrocarbons), maintaining vacuum conditions. This feedback loop allows the system to accommodate higher numbers of series-connected tubes without compromising fluid integrity or vacuum quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of outgassing (which increases with more series-connected tubes) into a beneficial function by employing the getter system to actively capture and remove these gases. The outgassing that would otherwise degrade vacuum conditions and fluid performance is instead utilized as the motivation for enhanced gas removal, allowing the system to maintain reliability even as productivity increases through additional series-connected tubes
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 toroidal getter system enhances hydrogen management, maintains efficient gas removal, prevents structural damage, and allows for easier installation and recovery, improving overall solar collector efficiency and longevity.
Implementation Method 1
a getter system, in particular having a container (110) made of a metallic material with good elastic properties and housing powders of getter material
Implementation Method 2
one or more elastic elements inside said container, in direct contact with said getter material pills, exerting a compression force on said pills
Implementation Method 3
the receiver tube heating by means of internal electrical resistances, via current flow or oven heating, with maximum temperatures depending both on the receiver tube type
Implementation Method 4
the receiver tube heating by means of internal electrical resistances, via current flow
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention refers to improvements for solar collector receiver tubes by means of the use within them of getter systems with a substantially toroidal geometry.