Windowless Solar Thermochemical Reactor for Uniform Heat Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solar thermochemical reactors face challenges such as high temperature requirements, material sintering, inefficient thermal distribution, and the use of optically transparent windows that are structurally weak and prone to staining, limiting their scalability and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A solar reactor design featuring a reactor member with an aperture oriented at an angle relative to its centerline, containing absorber tubes positioned at angles other than 90 degrees, and a reactive material, which allows for improved thermal distribution and reduced pressure conditions, eliminating the need for optically transparent windows and enhancing chemical kinetics control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If optically transparent windows are used to admit concentrated solar radiation, then the reactor can receive solar energy, but the window material becomes structurally weak and susceptible to staining and thermal damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the window component entirely from the reactor design. The aperture is left open without any transparent material, eliminating the structural weaknesses and staining issues associated with glass or plastic windows while still allowing concentrated solar radiation to enter the reactor chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a transparent window to admit light, the invention inverts the approach by using an open aperture with reflective surfaces positioned to direct solar radiation into the reactor. The reflection and absorption geometry is redesigned to work without a window barrier.
2Productivity
If solar thermochemical reactions are conducted at very high temperatures, then the reactions can proceed effectively, but the reactant materials undergo sintering that reduces internal surface area and adversely affects chemical kinetics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs porous reactive materials with high internal surface area that are resistant to sintering. The porous structure maintains its surface area even at elevated temperatures, preventing the degradation of chemical kinetics while still allowing effective thermochemical reactions to proceed.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite material structures that combine different phases or components with complementary properties. These composite materials are designed to maintain structural integrity and surface area at high temperatures, preventing sintering while enabling effective solar thermochemical reactions.
3Use of energy by moving object
If traditional windowed reactor designs are used, then solar radiation can be admitted, but thermal distribution in the reactor is inefficient and heat loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional window aperture to a three-dimensional geometric configuration where reflective surfaces and absorber tubes are positioned to maximize solar energy capture and thermal distribution throughout the reactor volume, reducing heat loss through optimized spatial arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the aperture and internal reactor structure to optimize thermal distribution. The aperture size, shape, and positioning are specifically designed to improve heat distribution patterns and minimize energy loss while maintaining effective solar radiation admission.
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
This design enhances thermal distribution, reduces material sintering, and increases the efficiency and durability of solar thermochemical reactors, enabling more effective use of solar energy and longer reactor cycle life without the limitations of traditional windowed designs.
Implementation Method 1
an aperture for receiving solar radiation... wherein the aperture has a hydraulic diameter that is from 0.2 to 4 times a hydraulic diameter of at least one absorber tube
Implementation Method 2
Solar power is used to facilitate thermochemical reactions
Implementation Method 3
Solar thermochemistry is a newly emerging technology for the production of fuels using highly concentrated solar radiation. Solar power is used to facilitate thermochemical reactions.
Implementation Method 4
enhances thermal distribution... improving thermal distribution and facilitating control of the chemical kinetics
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a solar reactor comprising a reactor member; an aperture for receiving solar radiation, the aperture being disposed in a plane on a wall of the reactor member, where the plane is oriented at any angle other than parallel relative to the centerline of the reactor member; a plurality of absorber tubes, wherein the absorber tubes are oriented such that their respective centerlines are at an angle other than 90° relative to the centerline of the reactor member; and wherein the aperture has a hydraulic diameter that is from 0.2 to 4 times a hydraulic diameter of at least one absorber tube in the plurality of absorber tubes; and a reactive material, the reactive material being disposed in the plurality of absorber tubes.