Vertical Solar Thermodynamic Supply Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solar thermodynamic systems with horizontal heat exchanger configurations are cumbersome, costly, and complex to install and maintain due to their design and the extensive hydraulic networks required.
Innovation Solution
A supply assembly for a solar thermodynamic system featuring a column structure with a pre-heating and supplying structure, utilizing a tube bundle heat exchanger and a column structure that allows for vertical orientation, reducing volume and simplifying mounting and maintenance by minimizing auxiliary connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If heat exchangers are arranged in horizontal configuration, then heat transfer efficiency is maintained, but device volume increases and structure becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the traditional horizontal arrangement of heat exchangers into a vertical column configuration. This dimensional change allows the supply assembly to achieve compact volume while maintaining heat transfer functionality, eliminating the need for extensive support structures and complex hydraulic networks required by horizontal arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates multiple heat exchangers (steam separator, boiler, over-heater, re-overheater, and pre-heater) into a single vertical column structure. This merging of components reduces the overall device volume and simplifies the hydraulic network by eliminating auxiliary connections between separate horizontal units.
2Ease of manufacture
If heat exchangers are arranged horizontally, then heat transfer function is achieved, but installation and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By arranging heat exchangers vertically in a column, the patent simplifies mounting operations as components can be installed from the top down using gravity assistance, and maintenance access is improved with components positioned at different vertical levels rather than requiring complex horizontal positioning and support structures.
3Device complexity
If horizontal configuration is used, then heat exchanger function is maintained, but auxiliary connection pipes and support structures are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple heat exchangers into a single vertical column with integrated fluid pathways. This merging eliminates the need for auxiliary connection pipes between separate horizontal units, as the fluid circulation is achieved through vertical channels within the column structure itself.
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 vertical configuration of the supply assembly reduces volume, lowers installation and maintenance costs, and enhances accessibility for maintenance operations while maintaining efficient heat transfer and energy conversion.
Implementation Method 1
The heat exchangers generally used in the thermodynamic solar systems comprise a tube bundle which can be of the fixed-head or U-shaped type
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of parabolic mirrors arranged for converting solar energy into thermal energy for heating a thermal carrier fluid
Implementation Method 3
converting the heat energy deriving from the solar radiation into electrical energy
Implementation Method 4
The thermal carrier fluid heated by the mirrors is, subsequently, subjected to a thermodynamic cycle, for example a Rankine cycle, for generating the steam
Implementation Method 5
a steam turbine connected to an alternator, thus transforming the accumulated heat energy into electrical energy
Data Source
AI summary
Supply assembly for a turbine of a solar thermodynamic system provided with plural multiple parabolic mirrors for heating a first thermal carrier fluid contained in a tank to a first temperature, comprising a column structure provided at the upper part with an exit. The column structure comprises: a lower portion provided with two inlets connected to the tank to be supplied with the first thermal carrier fluid, the lower portion comprising first and second heat exchangers supplied with a second thermal carrier fluid respectively to an overheated temperature and re-overheating temperature; an upper portion fluidically connected with the lower portion, the upper portion comprising a boiler to bring the second fluid from a pre-heating temperature to a boiling temperature, and a cylindrical body arranged on the boiler; a pre-heating and supplying structure for heating the second thermal carrier fluid to the pre-heating temperature and supply it to the column structure.