US20140020675A1 - Solar receiver - Google Patents
Solar receiver Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20140020675A1 US20140020675A1 US13/551,895 US201213551895A US2014020675A1 US 20140020675 A1 US20140020675 A1 US 20140020675A1 US 201213551895 A US201213551895 A US 201213551895A US 2014020675 A1 US2014020675 A1 US 2014020675A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- recited
- manifold
- solar receiver
- sealed enclosure
- enclosure
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S10/00—Solar heat collectors using working fluids
- F24S10/70—Solar heat collectors using working fluids the working fluids being conveyed through tubular absorbing conduits
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S20/00—Solar heat collectors specially adapted for particular uses or environments
- F24S20/20—Solar heat collectors for receiving concentrated solar energy, e.g. receivers for solar power plants
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S80/00—Details, accessories or component parts of solar heat collectors not provided for in groups F24S10/00-F24S70/00
- F24S80/60—Thermal insulation
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S80/00—Details, accessories or component parts of solar heat collectors not provided for in groups F24S10/00-F24S70/00
- F24S2080/01—Selection of particular materials
- F24S2080/011—Ceramics
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S70/00—Details of absorbing elements
- F24S70/20—Details of absorbing elements characterised by absorbing coatings; characterised by surface treatment for increasing absorption
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S80/00—Details, accessories or component parts of solar heat collectors not provided for in groups F24S10/00-F24S70/00
- F24S80/30—Arrangements for connecting the fluid circuits of solar collectors with each other or with other components, e.g. pipe connections; Fluid distributing means, e.g. headers
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/40—Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/40—Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
- Y02E10/44—Heat exchange systems
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
- Y10T29/4935—Heat exchanger or boiler making
- Y10T29/49355—Solar energy device making
Definitions
- This disclosure relates to improvements in solar receivers.
- a concentrated solar power tower system collects solar radiation for the purpose of heating a working fluid to generate electrical power.
- the system typically includes solar receivers that are mounted on a tower.
- Heliostats direct concentrated solar radiation toward the solar receivers.
- the solar radiation heats working fluid that circulates through tubes of the solar receivers.
- a solar receiver includes a manifold, a sealed enclosure around the manifold, and a plurality of tubes connected to the manifold and extending through the sealed enclosure.
- the sealed enclosure defines a volume between the sealed enclosure and the manifold, the sealed enclosure substantially sealing the volume from convective air flow between the volume and an exterior of the sealed enclosure.
- the volume is at a lower pressure than the exterior.
- the volume includes an insulating gas different than air.
- the insulating gas is selected from the group consisting of nitrogen-based gas, helium-based gas, carbon dioxide-based gas and combinations thereof.
- the sealed enclosure includes at least one seal element.
- the sealed enclosure includes at least one seal element between a panel of the sealed enclosure and the plurality of tubes.
- the sealed enclosure includes a top wall above the manifold, a bottom wall below the manifold, a forward wall in front of the manifold, a back wall behind the manifold, and side walls adjacent ends of the manifold.
- a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing examples includes a thermal shield arranged adjacent the sealed enclosure.
- the thermal shield includes a support and ceramic panels mounted in an array on the support.
- the ceramic panels include respective openings there-through and fasteners arranged partially within the respective openings and securing the ceramic panels on the support, and plugs arranged at least partially within corresponding ones of the openings.
- the sealed enclosure includes a heater.
- the sealed enclosure includes an insulator panel sealed against the plurality of tubes.
- a method for use with a solar receiver includes sealing an enclosure around a manifold that is connected with a plurality of tubes such that there is a volume between the enclosure and the manifold that is sealed from an exterior of the enclosure.
- a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing examples includes establishing the volume to be at a lower pressure than the exterior.
- the volume has an insulating gas different than air.
- the insulting gas is selected from the group consisting of nitrogen-based gas, helium-based gas and carbon dioxide-based gas.
- the plugs are ceramic plugs.
- the array is planar.
- FIG. 1 shows an example solar power tower system.
- FIG. 3 shows portions of an example solar receiver.
- FIG. 5C shows a lap joint between ceramic panels of a thermal shield.
- FIG. 6 shows a sectioned view of a ceramic panel.
- a solar power tower system 20 includes a high concentration solar receiver system 22 having a receiver assembly 24 coupled to a tower structure 25 at a predetermined height above ground to receive solar radiation S.
- a plurality of heliostats 26 focus the solar radiation S onto the receiver assembly 24 .
- Molten salt or other working fluid circulates, such as by pumping, from a cold storage tank system 28 through the solar receiver system 22 .
- the heated working fluid then circulates to a hot storage tank system 30 .
- the hot working fluid is pumped to a steam generator system 32 to produce steam.
- the steam drives a steam turbine/generator system 34 that generates electricity for communication to a power grid.
- the working fluid is returned to the cold storage tank system 28 and is eventually reheated in the solar receiver system 22 .
- the solar receiver system 22 generally includes a plurality of solar receivers 40 (shown schematically) that each include an upper cover assembly 42 and a lower cover assembly 44 .
- the cover assemblies 42 / 44 protect a support structure 46 ( FIG. 3 ) of the solar receiver 40 and any equipment therein from heliostat spillage that may miss the solar receivers 40 .
- the solar energy from heliostat spillage can result in a heat flux of 300 kW/m 2 and a temperature of 1900° F./1038° C. or greater.
- FIG. 3 shows selected portions of one of the solar receivers 40 .
- each solar receiver 40 includes a plurality of tubes 50 that are connected with and extend between manifolds 52 / 54 for communicating the working fluid there through.
- the solar receiver 40 is generally vertically oriented such that the working fluid can be received into the manifold 52 and gravimetrically flow downward through the tubes 50 and into the manifold 54 .
- the support structure 46 supports the tubes 50 and the manifolds 52 / 54 .
- the tubes 50 include a thermal coating 56 over a heating zone Z that serves to absorb the solar radiation S and facilitate thermal transfer to the tubes 50 and working fluid.
- the manifolds 52 / 54 are laterally offset, or inboard, of the heating zone Z, to protect the manifolds 52 / 54 from exposure to solar radiation spillage.
- each tube 50 has a corresponding tube 50 on an opposite side of the vertical plane VP that is a mirror image.
- the solar receiver 40 includes a sealed enclosure 58 around the manifold 52 to insulate the manifold 52 from losing heat, prevent or limit freezing of the working fluid and generally provide a uniform temperature around the manifold 52 to prevent or limit hot spots that can otherwise damage the working fluid.
- a similar sealed enclosure 58 can be provided around the manifold 54 .
- the term “sealed” or variations thereof as used in this disclosure refers to structure that reduces convective air flow between the enclosure 58 and an exterior 62 (ambient) of the solar receiver 40 . In a further example, the convective air flow is substantially eliminated.
- the tubes 50 are connected to the manifold 52 by quick connectors (not shown).
- the quick connectors permit the tubes 50 to be easily removed and attached to the manifold 52 .
- the tubes 50 extend through the sealed enclosure 58 and thus the sealed enclosure 58 surrounds the manifold 52 and a portion of the plurality of tubes 50 .
- the sealed enclosure 58 includes a top wall 58 a above the manifold 52 , a bottom wall 58 b below the manifold 52 , a forward wall 58 c in front of the manifold 52 , a back wall 58 d behind the manifold 52 and sidewalls 58 e / 58 f adjacent the ends of the manifold 52 .
- the sealed enclosure 58 surrounds the manifold 52 on all sides.
- the sealed enclosure 58 can be made of or include an insulating material, such as a ceramic material or flexible insulating material.
- the forward wall 58 c includes an insulator panel 58 c ′, such as an organic or polymeric panel, that is compressed against the outer surfaces of the tubes 50 , to facilitate sealing and insulating. At least the inner surface of the insulator panel 58 c ′ is in contact with the tubes 50 and may have grooves 59 that correspond to the shape of the tubes 50 . The grooves 59 provide a close fit between the insulator panel 58 c ′ and the tubes 50 for sealing and insulating.
- an insulator panel 58 c ′ such as an organic or polymeric panel
- the sealed, interior volume 60 thermally insulates the manifold 52 and a portion of the tubes 50 that are within the sealed enclosure 58 .
- the interior volume 60 is evacuated and maintained at a pressure that is lower than the exterior 62 .
- the interior volume 60 at the low pressure or at ambient pressure, includes an insulating gas.
- the insulating gas is a helium-based gas, a carbon dioxide-based gas, a nitrogen-based gas or combinations thereof.
- the environment in the interior volume 60 has a composition of greater than 90% by volume of the selected insulating gas.
- the insulating gas has a composition that is different than air, which for purposes of this disclosure has a composition of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, less than 1% argon, less than 0.05% carbon dioxide and a remainder of trace elements.
- the low pressure, and/or insulating gas facilitates the reduction in thermal losses from the manifold 52 and portion of the tubes 50 that are within the sealed enclosure 58 .
- the sealed enclosure 58 also includes a heater 66 mounted on the bottom wall 58 b.
- the heater 66 may be excluded, or additional heaters can be provided on other walls of the sealed enclosure 58 .
- the heater 66 is an electric resistance heater and is used to heat the interior volume 60 and manifold 52 .
- the heater 66 can also be used to heat the manifold 52 for the purpose of preventing or limiting freezing of the working fluid in the manifold 52 and portion of the tubes 50 within the sealed enclosure 58 .
- the arrangement of the solar receiver 40 also embodies a method for use with the solar receiver 40 .
- the method includes sealing the enclosure 58 around the manifold 52 (or alternatively the manifold 54 ) that is connected with the tubes 50 such that the interior volume 60 between the enclosure 58 and the manifold 52 is sealed from the exterior 62 .
- FIGS. 5A and 5B show perspective views of opposed sides of one of the cover assemblies 42 .
- the cover assembly 44 can be similarly constructed.
- the cover assembly 44 or thermal shield, includes a support 80 , such as a metal frame, and ceramic panels 82 mounted in an array 84 on the support 80 .
- the ceramic panels 82 can be made of an oxide composition, for example.
- the array 84 is a two-dimensional array that spans in a flat plane P.
- the ceramic panels 82 include a lap joint 86 between neighboring ceramic panels.
- the lap joint 86 provides a relatively loose fit between the neighboring ceramic panels 82 and thus permits the ceramic panels 82 to move relative to each other to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction.
- each of the ceramic panels 82 includes at least one opening 88 there through for mounting the ceramic panel 82 on the support 80 .
- a fastener 90 is arranged partially within the respective opening 88 and secures the ceramic panel 82 on the support 80 .
- a plug 92 is arranged at least partially within the opening 88 to protect the fastener 90 from the solar radiation S spillage.
- the plug 92 is a ceramic plug and can be made of the same ceramic material composition as the ceramic panels 82 .
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Sustainable Development (AREA)
- Sustainable Energy (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Thermal Insulation (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This disclosure relates to improvements in solar receivers.
- A concentrated solar power tower system collects solar radiation for the purpose of heating a working fluid to generate electrical power. The system typically includes solar receivers that are mounted on a tower. Heliostats direct concentrated solar radiation toward the solar receivers. The solar radiation heats working fluid that circulates through tubes of the solar receivers.
- A solar receiver according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes a manifold, a sealed enclosure around the manifold, and a plurality of tubes connected to the manifold and extending through the sealed enclosure.
- In a further non-limiting embodiment, the sealed enclosure defines a volume between the sealed enclosure and the manifold, the sealed enclosure substantially sealing the volume from convective air flow between the volume and an exterior of the sealed enclosure.
- In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing examples, the volume is at a lower pressure than the exterior.
- In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing examples, the volume includes an insulating gas different than air.
- In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing examples, the insulating gas is selected from the group consisting of nitrogen-based gas, helium-based gas, carbon dioxide-based gas and combinations thereof.
- In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing examples, the sealed enclosure includes at least one seal element.
- In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing examples, the sealed enclosure includes at least one seal element between a panel of the sealed enclosure and the plurality of tubes.
- In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing examples, the sealed enclosure includes a top wall above the manifold, a bottom wall below the manifold, a forward wall in front of the manifold, a back wall behind the manifold, and side walls adjacent ends of the manifold.
- A further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing examples includes a thermal shield arranged adjacent the sealed enclosure.
- In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing examples, the thermal shield includes a support and ceramic panels mounted in an array on the support.
- In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing examples, the ceramic panels include respective openings there-through and fasteners arranged partially within the respective openings and securing the ceramic panels on the support, and plugs arranged at least partially within corresponding ones of the openings.
- In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing examples, the sealed enclosure includes a heater.
- In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing examples, the sealed enclosure includes an insulator panel sealed against the plurality of tubes.
- A method for use with a solar receiver according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes sealing an enclosure around a manifold that is connected with a plurality of tubes such that there is a volume between the enclosure and the manifold that is sealed from an exterior of the enclosure.
- A further non-limiting embodiment includes substantially sealing the enclosure around the manifold from convective air flow with the exterior of the enclosure.
- A further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing examples includes establishing the volume to be at a lower pressure than the exterior.
- In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing examples, the volume has an insulating gas different than air.
- In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing examples, the insulting gas is selected from the group consisting of nitrogen-based gas, helium-based gas and carbon dioxide-based gas.
- A thermal shield according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes a support and ceramic panels mounted in an array on the support. The ceramic panels include respective openings there-through. Fasteners are arranged partially within the respective openings and secure the ceramic panels on the support. Plugs are arranged at least partially within corresponding ones of the openings.
- In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing examples, the plugs are ceramic plugs.
- In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing examples, the ceramic panels include lap joints.
- In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing examples, the array is planar.
- The various features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows.
-
FIG. 1 shows an example solar power tower system. -
FIG. 2 shows an example solar receiver system. -
FIG. 3 shows portions of an example solar receiver. -
FIG. 4A shows a sectioned view of a portion of a solar receiver. -
FIG. 4B shows a perspective view of the solar receiver ofFIG. 4A . -
FIG. 4A shows another view of the solar receiver ofFIG. 4A . -
FIG. 5A shows a example of a thermal shield. -
FIG. 5B shows another view of the thermal shield ofFIG. 5A . -
FIG. 5C shows a lap joint between ceramic panels of a thermal shield. -
FIG. 6 shows a sectioned view of a ceramic panel. - Referring to
FIG. 1 , a solarpower tower system 20 includes a high concentrationsolar receiver system 22 having areceiver assembly 24 coupled to atower structure 25 at a predetermined height above ground to receive solar radiation S. A plurality ofheliostats 26 focus the solar radiation S onto thereceiver assembly 24. - Molten salt or other working fluid circulates, such as by pumping, from a cold
storage tank system 28 through thesolar receiver system 22. The heated working fluid then circulates to a hotstorage tank system 30. When power is required, the hot working fluid is pumped to asteam generator system 32 to produce steam. The steam drives a steam turbine/generator system 34 that generates electricity for communication to a power grid. The working fluid is returned to the coldstorage tank system 28 and is eventually reheated in thesolar receiver system 22. It should be understood that although a particular arrangement is disclosed in the illustrated embodiment, any arrangement with asolar receiver system 22 will also benefit from this disclosure. - Referring to
FIG. 2 , thesolar receiver system 22 generally includes a plurality of solar receivers 40 (shown schematically) that each include anupper cover assembly 42 and alower cover assembly 44. Thecover assemblies 42/44 protect a support structure 46 (FIG. 3 ) of thesolar receiver 40 and any equipment therein from heliostat spillage that may miss thesolar receivers 40. The solar energy from heliostat spillage can result in a heat flux of 300 kW/m2 and a temperature of 1900° F./1038° C. or greater. -
FIG. 3 shows selected portions of one of thesolar receivers 40. In this example, eachsolar receiver 40 includes a plurality oftubes 50 that are connected with and extend betweenmanifolds 52/54 for communicating the working fluid there through. Thesolar receiver 40 is generally vertically oriented such that the working fluid can be received into the manifold 52 and gravimetrically flow downward through thetubes 50 and into themanifold 54. Thesupport structure 46 supports thetubes 50 and themanifolds 52/54. In this example, thetubes 50 include athermal coating 56 over a heating zone Z that serves to absorb the solar radiation S and facilitate thermal transfer to thetubes 50 and working fluid. Themanifolds 52/54 are laterally offset, or inboard, of the heating zone Z, to protect themanifolds 52/54 from exposure to solar radiation spillage. - The design of the
tubes 50 also provides a relatively low number of different parts and reduces manufacturing costs and assembly or maintenance time. For example, the arrangement and geometry of thetubes 50 are symmetric about a vertical plane VP. Thus, eachtube 50 has a correspondingtube 50 on an opposite side of the vertical plane VP that is a mirror image. - Any thermal losses from the
solar receiver 40 can debit the overall efficiency of thesolar receiver system 22. In this regard, as shown inFIGS. 4A , 4B and 4C, thesolar receiver 40 includes a sealedenclosure 58 around the manifold 52 to insulate the manifold 52 from losing heat, prevent or limit freezing of the working fluid and generally provide a uniform temperature around the manifold 52 to prevent or limit hot spots that can otherwise damage the working fluid. Likewise, a similar sealedenclosure 58 can be provided around themanifold 54. The term “sealed” or variations thereof as used in this disclosure refers to structure that reduces convective air flow between theenclosure 58 and an exterior 62 (ambient) of thesolar receiver 40. In a further example, the convective air flow is substantially eliminated. - The
tubes 50 are connected to the manifold 52 by quick connectors (not shown). The quick connectors permit thetubes 50 to be easily removed and attached to themanifold 52. Thetubes 50 extend through the sealedenclosure 58 and thus the sealedenclosure 58 surrounds the manifold 52 and a portion of the plurality oftubes 50. In this example, the sealedenclosure 58 includes atop wall 58 a above the manifold 52, abottom wall 58 b below the manifold 52, aforward wall 58 c in front of the manifold 52, aback wall 58 d behind the manifold 52 andsidewalls 58 e/58 f adjacent the ends of the manifold 52. Thus, the sealedenclosure 58 surrounds the manifold 52 on all sides. The sealedenclosure 58 can be made of or include an insulating material, such as a ceramic material or flexible insulating material. - The
forward wall 58 c includes aninsulator panel 58 c′, such as an organic or polymeric panel, that is compressed against the outer surfaces of thetubes 50, to facilitate sealing and insulating. At least the inner surface of theinsulator panel 58 c′ is in contact with thetubes 50 and may havegrooves 59 that correspond to the shape of thetubes 50. Thegrooves 59 provide a close fit between theinsulator panel 58 c′ and thetubes 50 for sealing and insulating. - The sealed
enclosure 58 defines aninterior volume 60 that is sealed from theexterior 62 of thesolar receiver 40. To facilitate sealing, and also allow access to theinterior volume 60, the sealedenclosure 58 includesseals 64 a/64 b. Theseal 64 a is arranged between thetop wall 58 a and theforward wall 58 c. Theseal 64 b is arranged between thebottom wall 58 b and thetubes 50/forward wall 58 c. For example, theseal 64 b is compressed against thetubes 50 to provide a substantially air-tight closure that reduces convective gas flow between theinterior volume 60 and theexterior 62. For example, there is no open, free gas flow between theinterior volume 60 and the exterior 62 and any gas within the sealedenclosure 58 is substantially stagnant. Theseals 64 a/64 b also provide the sealedenclosure 58 with compliance to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction from heating and cooling cycles, which facilitates maintaining thetubes 50 in a proper, sealed position. - The sealed,
interior volume 60 thermally insulates the manifold 52 and a portion of thetubes 50 that are within the sealedenclosure 58. In one example, theinterior volume 60 is evacuated and maintained at a pressure that is lower than the exterior 62. In another example, theinterior volume 60, at the low pressure or at ambient pressure, includes an insulating gas. For example, the insulating gas is a helium-based gas, a carbon dioxide-based gas, a nitrogen-based gas or combinations thereof. In a further example, the environment in theinterior volume 60 has a composition of greater than 90% by volume of the selected insulating gas. In a further example, the insulating gas has a composition that is different than air, which for purposes of this disclosure has a composition of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, less than 1% argon, less than 0.05% carbon dioxide and a remainder of trace elements. The low pressure, and/or insulating gas, facilitates the reduction in thermal losses from the manifold 52 and portion of thetubes 50 that are within the sealedenclosure 58. - In this example, the sealed
enclosure 58 also includes aheater 66 mounted on thebottom wall 58 b. In other examples, theheater 66 may be excluded, or additional heaters can be provided on other walls of the sealedenclosure 58. For example, theheater 66 is an electric resistance heater and is used to heat theinterior volume 60 andmanifold 52. Theheater 66 can also be used to heat themanifold 52 for the purpose of preventing or limiting freezing of the working fluid in the manifold 52 and portion of thetubes 50 within the sealedenclosure 58. - As can be appreciated, the arrangement of the
solar receiver 40 also embodies a method for use with thesolar receiver 40. The method includes sealing theenclosure 58 around the manifold 52 (or alternatively the manifold 54) that is connected with thetubes 50 such that theinterior volume 60 between theenclosure 58 and the manifold 52 is sealed from theexterior 62. -
FIGS. 5A and 5B show perspective views of opposed sides of one of thecover assemblies 42. It is to be understood that thecover assembly 44 can be similarly constructed. In this example, thecover assembly 44, or thermal shield, includes asupport 80, such as a metal frame, andceramic panels 82 mounted in anarray 84 on thesupport 80. Theceramic panels 82 can be made of an oxide composition, for example. Thearray 84 is a two-dimensional array that spans in a flat plane P. As shown inFIG. 5C , theceramic panels 82 include a lap joint 86 between neighboring ceramic panels. The lap joint 86 provides a relatively loose fit between the neighboringceramic panels 82 and thus permits theceramic panels 82 to move relative to each other to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction. - Referring to
FIG. 6 , each of theceramic panels 82 includes at least oneopening 88 there through for mounting theceramic panel 82 on thesupport 80. Afastener 90 is arranged partially within therespective opening 88 and secures theceramic panel 82 on thesupport 80. Aplug 92 is arranged at least partially within theopening 88 to protect thefastener 90 from the solar radiation S spillage. For example, theplug 92 is a ceramic plug and can be made of the same ceramic material composition as theceramic panels 82. - Although a combination of features is shown in the illustrated examples, not all of them need to be combined to realize the benefits of various embodiments of this disclosure. In other words, a system designed according to an embodiment of this disclosure will not necessarily include all of the features shown in any one of the Figures or all of the portions schematically shown in the Figures. Moreover, selected features of one example embodiment may be combined with selected features of other example embodiments.
- The preceding description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed examples may become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not necessarily depart from the essence of this disclosure. The scope of legal protection given to this disclosure can only be determined by studying the following claims.
Claims (22)
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US13/551,895 US20140020675A1 (en) | 2012-07-18 | 2012-07-18 | Solar receiver |
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US13/551,895 US20140020675A1 (en) | 2012-07-18 | 2012-07-18 | Solar receiver |
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US20140020675A1 true US20140020675A1 (en) | 2014-01-23 |
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Cited By (7)
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CN106288451A (en) * | 2016-09-14 | 2017-01-04 | 深圳市爱能森科技有限公司 | A kind of solar thermal collector |
WO2017127750A1 (en) | 2016-01-22 | 2017-07-27 | Modernatx, Inc. | Messenger ribonucleic acids for the production of intracellular binding polypeptides and methods of use thereof |
WO2017180917A2 (en) | 2016-04-13 | 2017-10-19 | Modernatx, Inc. | Lipid compositions and their uses for intratumoral polynucleotide delivery |
WO2017201350A1 (en) | 2016-05-18 | 2017-11-23 | Modernatx, Inc. | Polynucleotides encoding interleukin-12 (il12) and uses thereof |
US20180346289A1 (en) * | 2015-11-30 | 2018-12-06 | Cockerill Maintenance & Ingenierie S.A. | Maintenance method and system for solar receiver |
WO2018231990A2 (en) | 2017-06-14 | 2018-12-20 | Modernatx, Inc. | Polynucleotides encoding methylmalonyl-coa mutase |
CN110440466A (en) * | 2019-08-22 | 2019-11-12 | 哈尔滨锅炉厂有限责任公司 | A kind of tower photo-thermal power generation latent heat heat collector |
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US20180346289A1 (en) * | 2015-11-30 | 2018-12-06 | Cockerill Maintenance & Ingenierie S.A. | Maintenance method and system for solar receiver |
US10584017B2 (en) * | 2015-11-30 | 2020-03-10 | Cockerill Maintenance & Ingenierie S.A. | Maintenance method and system for solar receiver |
WO2017127750A1 (en) | 2016-01-22 | 2017-07-27 | Modernatx, Inc. | Messenger ribonucleic acids for the production of intracellular binding polypeptides and methods of use thereof |
WO2017180917A2 (en) | 2016-04-13 | 2017-10-19 | Modernatx, Inc. | Lipid compositions and their uses for intratumoral polynucleotide delivery |
WO2017201350A1 (en) | 2016-05-18 | 2017-11-23 | Modernatx, Inc. | Polynucleotides encoding interleukin-12 (il12) and uses thereof |
CN106288451A (en) * | 2016-09-14 | 2017-01-04 | 深圳市爱能森科技有限公司 | A kind of solar thermal collector |
WO2018231990A2 (en) | 2017-06-14 | 2018-12-20 | Modernatx, Inc. | Polynucleotides encoding methylmalonyl-coa mutase |
CN110440466A (en) * | 2019-08-22 | 2019-11-12 | 哈尔滨锅炉厂有限责任公司 | A kind of tower photo-thermal power generation latent heat heat collector |
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