Toroidal Getter Layout for Hydrogen Control in Receiver Tubes

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Solar collector receiver tubes face efficiency issues due to hydrogen presence, which increases thermal conductivity and degrades device characteristics, and the getter system's temperature management is inadequate, affecting hydrogen absorption and removal of other gases, especially in high-temperature applications where the optimal temperature range is critical for efficient thermal exchange without compromising structural integrity.

Innovation Solution

A getter system with a toroidal container housing compressed cylindrical pills of getter material, featuring a cross-section width between 1.05 and 1.2 times the pill's lateral encumbrance, and elastic anchoring means to manage temperature and prevent powder generation, allowing for efficient hydrogen removal and adaptation to different types of receiver tubes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the heat removing fluid temperature is increased to achieve efficient thermal exchange, then the thermal exchange efficiency is improved, but the structural integrity is compromised and excessive outgassing occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal exchange efficiencyVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The getter system is pre-installed and activated before the receiver tube operates, creating a protective vacuum environment in advance. This preliminary action removes hydrogen and other gases from the internal volume, preventing outgassing issues that would occur at high operating temperatures and protecting structural integrity while allowing efficient thermal exchange.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the harmful effect of hydrogen presence (which increases thermal conductivity and reduces efficiency) into a benefit by using the getter system to selectively remove hydrogen. The getter material absorbs hydrogen that would otherwise be detrimental, allowing the system to operate at optimal temperatures for thermal exchange without suffering from hydrogen-induced efficiency losses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Reliability

If the receiver tube is heated to high temperatures (above 300°C) during conditioning and degassing, then the getter system activation is improved, but the risk of excessive outgassing and structural damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegetter system activationVSAvoidexcessive outgassing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The getter system is designed to be activated at moderate temperatures during the conditioning phase, before the receiver tube reaches its maximum operating temperature. This preliminary activation removes gases that would otherwise outgas at higher temperatures, allowing the tube to be heated to high temperatures for normal operation without excessive outgassing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If multiple receiver tubes are connected in series to increase plant capacity, then the overall energy production is improved, but the temperature distribution becomes uneven and vacuum maintenance becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplant energy productionVSAvoidvacuum level maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The getter system provides universal gas removal capability for all receiver tubes connected in series. Each tube contains its own getter system that independently maintains vacuum conditions, allowing multiple tubes to operate in series at different temperature zones while each maintains its own vacuum integrity. This enables increased plant capacity without compromising vacuum level maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 effectively manages temperature, reduces powder generation, and enhances the overall efficiency of solar collector plants by maintaining optimal hydrogen absorption and gas removal capabilities, while being adaptable to various operating conditions and easier to install and recover.

Implementation Method 1

the getter material temperature in operating conditions should not be excessively high, ideally being comprised between 200 and 400° C., since at higher temperatures there is a marked worsening in the system capacity to absorb hydrogen

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrogen absorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

a central tubular element (101), wherein a heat removing fluid flows

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

the fluid flowing in the central body tends to decompose at high temperatures

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS9103565B2Solar collectors receiver tubes

Publication Date: 2015.08.11 SAES GETTERS SPA

AI summary

Solar connector receiver tubes with getter systems having a substantially toroidal shape are described.