CH711030B1 - Receiver for collecting concentrated radiation. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a receiver (1) for collecting concentrated (solar) radiation from a surrounding mirror field. The receiver (1) has a container (20) with at least one light inlet opening (16) and an inlet and an outlet for a cooling medium, preferably evaporating metal. In the container (20) absorber body (15) are provided, which have at least partially formed black walls and behind the radiation inlet opening (16) are arranged to capture the radiation energy and their conversion into thermal energy. In addition, in the container (20) heat storage elements (9, 10, 22) as a high-temperature storage (3) are provided, which are heated by condensation, to generate energy in the evening without sunlight.

Description

description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a receiver for collecting concentrated radiation, preferably solar radiation from a mirror field, according to the preamble of claim 1.

PRIOR ART Attempts were made early on to concentrate sunlight to high temperatures with mirrors or firing glasses. The oldest known example comes from Archimedes approx. 221 B.C., but 3000 ° C was also reached in 1906. The technical challenge is to reliably deal with this heat generated from concentrated radiation in a black receiver by permanently converting it into other forms of energy, especially those that can be transported. It is interesting to convert the heat generated into electrical energy, but also to use it as process heat and thus possibly also to generate synthetic gas or liquid fuel.

The key component of such a focusing solar energy system, now commonly referred to as "CSP" (Concentrated Solar Power), is the "receiver", because there has to be new technical ground, in principle a "hot gas machine", which is basically not very different from a rocket engine that also has to “process” extremely hot compressed gases when working with gas cooling.

The most demanding concept in terms of efficiency integrates - as in conventional power plant construction - the energy flow via a gas turbine stage, proposed for the DLR prototype plant Jülich, the hot exhaust gas of which operates the steam generator of the downstream steam turbine.

The problem of gas turbine use with inlet temperatures of about 1050 ° C is not only technical, but also economic: Unfortunately, with available receivers, the optimal efficiencies of the thermal process can only be achieved for a few hours a day and in ideal weather conditions. The designers therefore rightly complain about the relatively cheap parabolic mirrors for 400 ° C steam systems with storage to promote the optimization of their components.

In a traditional solar heating system for power generation, large-scale collection of solar radiation energy in linear mirror fields generates thermal energy in longitudinal tubes, which work on a storage device or directly on a steam generator. For material and cost reasons, the temperatures achieved are in the range between 400 and 500 ° C, which results in sub-optimal steam parameters of 350-400 ° C in the steam generator.

The cooling with molten salt has the advantage that they only become unstable at about 600 ° C, so that up to max. 570 ° C can also be used as a storage medium. Experimental plants with heated molten salts are designed for temperatures up to 520 ° C and planned up to 570 ° C. However, the required salt mixtures have solidification points> 220 ° C, which makes the necessary systems for storage very expensive.

US Patent Application No. 2006/0 174 866 describes a volumetric high-temperature solar receiver with a cavity for the absorption of heat, a two-layer window and an inlet and an outlet, which are connected to the cavity. A cavity is provided between the window layers, which has an outlet to the heat-absorbing cavity. Through an inlet, a fluid can be admitted into the cavity between the window layers, which enters the cavity via the outlet. In this way, the temperature at the window can be kept low and overheating can be avoided. A large number of small fluid inlets connect the heat-absorbing cavity to a further cavity arranged behind it, in which a material with a high storage capacity is stored. This means that energy can be produced even if the sunlight is not available for a short time. The heat flow between the two cavities is unclear.

The aim of US Pat. No. 3,981,151 is to increase the crop yield of agricultural plants by illuminating them at night. An energy conversion system is proposed in which solar energy is focused on a grid of refractory bricks which then heat an air stream drawn through the grid. The hot air stream is then passed through a heap of pebbles, which stores the heat. When energy is needed at times when the sun is not shining, air is drawn through the pebbles and an energy conversion system, e.g. a steam or gas turbine, and then converted into electrical energy. Plants can be illuminated with artificial light at night.

[0010] US 4,312,324 relates to an open solar receiver which is protected against wind. The solar receiver consists of a cavity, an inlet, a heat exchanger arranged in the cavity in the form of a ceramic honeycomb structure and a frustoconical concentrator. Sunlight reflected from a mirror field is focused on the heat exchanger, which is thereby warmed up. Air, which is drawn in a circuit through the heat exchanger and a heat accumulator, heats the heat accumulator to approx. 1100 ° C. The latter can then be uncoupled and connected to a gas turbine to generate electrical energy. This solar receiver works open, i.e. at atmospheric pressure, the energy transfer to the storage can therefore only take place slowly.

[0011] US 4 401 103 describes a system consisting of an arrangement of collectors that can follow the sun's path, concentrate the received sunlight and then direct it towards a target. The system also includes one

CH 711 030 B1

Storage chamber and a device to circulate a fluid between the target and the storage chamber. This is liquid cooling ("fluid") - how this works in the receiver remains unclear.

[0012] WO 2014/037 582 discloses a receiver for collecting concentrated solar radiation from a surrounding mirror field. The receiver has a container with at least one light inlet opening and an inlet and an outlet for a cooling medium. An absorber body is provided in the container, which at least in some areas is designed as a black body and consists of a multiplicity of stacked storage elements. The absorber body for collecting the radiation energy and converting it into thermal energy is arranged behind the light entry opening. In addition, heat storage elements are provided in the connected container as high-temperature storage devices, which serve to generate energy in the evening when the sun is no longer shining. The receiver described has the advantage that it absorbs highly concentrated solar radiation and dissipates the heat by means of gas flow through the existing channels and can thus heat up directly adjacent thermal storage elements. The thermal energy stored in the storage elements can then be used to operate a gas turbine, for example, when the sun is no longer shining.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is the object of the present invention to further develop the known prior art so that the heat energy generated in the receiver can be dissipated in a much more concentrated manner, which allows a larger number of mirrors with a correspondingly more concentrated radiation on a receiver convert. This enables much more powerful, compact systems.

[0014] According to the invention, the object is achieved by a receiver for collecting concentrated radiation from a surrounding mirror field, comprising

a container with at least one radiation inlet opening,

absorber bodies provided in the container, which have black walls at least in some areas and are arranged behind the radiation inlet opening, for collecting the radiation energy and converting it into thermal energy,

channels in the absorber bodies for the passage of a heat transfer medium,

a receiving space for heat storage elements which forms a high-temperature storage and which defines a storage zone, and,

- existing heat storage elements in the recording room, for later use of the stored thermal energy, which can be removed by heat exchangers / condensers at high temperature.

According to the invention, a cooling circuit forming pressure tubes are present, which extend from the absorber bodies into the receiving space and in which liquid metal can be evaporated for the purpose of dissipating the heat absorbed in the hot absorber bodies, and can be condensed in high-temperature storage or other consumers.

The absorbed heat is expediently removed evenly and in a concentrated manner by means of

- high temperature resistant jacketed pressure pipes in which metal evaporates,

Connecting pipes of a similar type, which are armored at least in tight arches with flexible rings,

- Pipe connections, which can also be armored - after assembly - reach into attached storage tanks, for heat emission by conduction or condensation of the metal vapor, depending on the temperature and pressure control.

The absorber body have a useful geometry for the purpose of dissipating the heat from the receiver surface in the cooling channels, in which the black receiver components (preferably carbide composites), which are very hot due to the heat, are distributed in a ring around the cooling tubes, so that they are uniform intense high-temperature radiation acts on the armored pressure pipes. This has the great advantage that the heat can be transported away from the absorber bodies much more quickly than with gas cooling, so that there is less of a risk that the absorber bodies overheat locally. In addition, the metal evaporation principle allows operation at low pressure, since the energy transfer takes place through the absorption of evaporation energy and correspondingly - at almost the same temperature - the release of condensation energy.

In one embodiment of the invention, the pressure tubes are stabilized with high temperature resistant fiber bundles. As a result, the pressure tubes have the advantages of a composite material in which different materials with specific material properties are combined to form a material which has all the advantages of the combined materials. The fiber bundles ensure that the pressure tubes can withstand very high pressures and temperatures.

The pressure tubes are advantageously made of a carbon fiber reinforced composite material (= CFC: carbon fiber carbon composite). Carbon fiber reinforced composites are particularly suitable because they can withstand very high temperatures if they are not pressed with resins as is the case with conventional CFC components, but are sintered or fused with Si / SiC.

CH 711 030 B1 [0020] According to an advantageous embodiment, the pressure tubes comprise a liner within the stabilizing fiber bundle. This has the advantage that the pressure tubes have a metallic coating on the inside, namely the liner, represented by a thin-walled tube, which can withstand metallurgically the (light) metal evaporating inside, but does not have to endure any stress, since such a liner is completely through the surrounding composite pipe is supported. If the fiber bundles have a leak, the liner represents a further seal against the evaporating light metal, which is guided in the pressure tubes. The metal evaporation taking place in the absorber area is used for condensation in zones with the heat storage elements of the connected storage and possibly connected heat exchangers.

[0021] The pressure tubes advantageously comprise a flexible braid or fabric. The braid is preferably made of CFC and can be wrapped around the liner. The wrapping can be carried out quickly and, by overlapping the braid like a bandage, brings about improved stability after sintering.

It proves to be advantageous if the receiving space and the container are separate components, the pressure tubes at the transition of the container and the receiving space being connected so that first and second pressure tubes are formed. The container can be removed from the receiving space, which enables quick access to the receiving space, for example for maintenance purposes. The receiving space and the container (storage) can preferably be connected by a flange connection.

It also proves to be advantageous if the ends of the first pressure tubes are arranged on the bottom of the container and are preferably welded into the bottom. The bottom of the container therefore holds the ends of the first pressure tubes as a tube bottom, similar to a tube bundle heat exchanger. This gives the first pressure tubes additional stability and the container can be quickly removed together with the first pressure tubes.

The ends of the second pressure tubes are expediently arranged on the front side of the receiving space facing the container and can be connected to the ends of the first pressure tubes. The ends of the first and second pressure tubes overlap and can be inserted into one another, for example. This enables the tube ends to be automatically connected to one another when the container is placed on the receiving space. It is also conceivable that the ends of the second pressure tubes are welded into the cover plate of the capacitor such that the ends of the first and second pressure tubes are aligned when assembled.

The storage elements are expediently spherical. This has the advantage that the storage elements remain mobile in the event of the inevitable temperature fluctuations during operation (with changing solar radiation), and the pebble-ball design is also very advantageous when installing (filling in) the storage elements and when disposing of defective elements. Otherwise, disassembling the entire memory receiver system would be like tearing it down.

In order to be able to collect as much of the incident radiation as possible, the absorber body preferably has the shape of a funnel or a V-shaped body. The funnel or the V-shaped body can preferably be constructed from a plurality of disks or segments. This construction has the advantage that the pressure pipe heat conductors can be attached to the individual panes. The disks or segments are expediently connected to the pressure pipe heat conductors in such a way that they are enclosed with spacers, so that the energy can be transmitted more uniformly by high-temperature heat radiation. The pressure tubes are consequently preferably only in places or at points on the inner walls of the channels. The spacers can be designed as a ring segment, which are pushed over the liner or over the wrapped liner. The ring segments which form the outer walls of the pressure tubes can have elevations, as a result of which the ring segments come into contact with the surrounding receiver channels or the storage elements only at certain points. It is also conceivable that the inner walls of the channels have elevations instead of the ring segments.

Preferably, the pressure pipe heat conductors are infiltrated, at least in the connection area with the absorber bodies, a composite, preferably made of carbon fibers with a combination of Si and SiC. In addition, the composite in the matrix of the braid or fabric can also contain other than carbon fibers, e.g. SiC fibers.

[0028] The disks or segments advantageously have openings. When stacked on top of one another, the openings form the channels of the absorber bodies.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the cooling circuit of the receiver can be carried out in the high temperature range by a plurality of parallel pressure pipes which lead outside the high temperature storage zone into a heat exchanger / condenser which serves as a heater for a second cooling circuit. The thermal energy absorbed by the cooling circuit is hereby used in an optimized manner, either by storing it or by immediately releasing it to a second cooling circuit.

In a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the cooling circuit of the receiver is realized in that the vaporous liquid metal can be condensed directly on the storage media. The liquid metal therefore does not have to be completely conducted in a closed circuit made of pressure tubes, but can also be brought directly to the storage media in the storage areas and thereby condense.

CH 711 030 B1 [0031] Endothermic chemical reactions preferably take place in the second cooling circuit. This can be a carbothermal zinc oxide reduction, for example. The harvested heat can thus be used, for example, to produce pure zinc, which in turn can be used in the production of hydrogen.

In a further preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention, the absorber body has a light trapping geometry which is suitable for capturing incident light by multiple reflection on black surfaces and converting it into heat. As a result, the heat energy is almost completely absorbed by the black walls of the absorber body.

As already described further above, it is preferred if the receiver can have a high-temperature memory and a lower-temperature memory adjacent to the high-temperature memory, and the high-temperature memory is preferably separated from the lower-temperature memory by a heat-insulated wall. The harvested thermal energy can be used to the maximum by this arrangement. As a result, the heat stored in the storage elements of the high-temperature storage is well insulated for later removal, for example when the sun is not shining or at night.

Preferably, the second cooling circuit can be used for steam generation and gas chemical reactions. The second cooling circuit can be heated by the low temperature storage. The steam generated can be used to operate a gas turbine or to conduct endothermic reactions. If there is no sunlight to heat the storage tank at a low temperature, the thermal energy can be taken from the high-temperature storage tank.

In a further preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention, the receiver can be used in ring form for concentrated, vertical solar radiation, in that a mirror device directs the solar radiation perpendicularly into the center of the receiver. With this ring-shaped arrangement of the absorber stacks, the V-shaped absorber stacks are opened towards the center of the receiver in order to be able to absorb as much sunlight as possible. The ring-shaped absorber arrangement also enables nuclear fuel elements or nuclear radiation elements to be filled into the ring.

It proves to be advantageous if the second cooling circuit can be filled by means of a plunger pump with solid pellets which melt at a higher temperature or decompose in gaseous / vaporous form. As a result, the receiver according to the invention is suitable for implementing endothermic chemical reactions or melting metals.

The second cooling circuit expediently has at least one outlet in the upper region of the low-temperature store, which leads to a cooling / condensation section which has a separation device for gas-liquid separation and a subsequent pouring device for extracting the metal produced. As a result, gases and metal melts generated during chemical reactions can be separated easily and used separately.

It proves to be advantageous if the second cooling circuit in the hot reaction area is equipped with catalysts which promote hot gas synthesis in further heat exchangers. The catalysts can be used to produce various hydrocarbons or e.g. lower the reaction temperature for carbothermal processes, e.g. Metal carbonyl or Ce / Fe oxide or nickel oxide interactions.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the pressure tubes transfer thermal energy into the high-temperature store during daytime operation. As a result, the thermal energy stored in the high-temperature store can be used for direct operation of a gas turbine in peak load times on demand after the end of the solar radiation, in that the first receiver loop is continued and then leads to evaporation in the high-temperature store. An endothermic chemical reaction can also be extended into the evening.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the pressure tubes have fiber bundles made of sliver, which is coated with a binder and is rolled around the pressure tubes. The sliver is pre-impregnated with the binder. Once wrapped around the liner, the sliver can be cured, for example by sintering it with an electric induction heater. This enables a quickly produced, stable and temperature-resistant sheathing for the pressure tubes. The pressure tubes with the binder, preferably silicon carbide, are expediently sintered in liquid phase in order to produce a structure that is as homogeneous as possible.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the pressure tubes are surrounded by carbon fiber reinforced composite material (CFC) rings, in particular at welded-together connection zones. This creates a stable and quick connection at the transition between two pressure tubes. The stability can be increased by reinforcing the connection zones with the fiber sliver and a CFC ring arranged above it.

Preferably, there are essentially vertical channels in the absorber bodies for the passage of a cooling medium or the inclusion of the pressure tube heat conductors. The pressure tube heat conductors allow the thermal energy absorbed by the absorber body to be dissipated quickly by means of metal evaporation. The receiver according to the invention has the great advantage that it absorbs highly concentrated radiation and can thus dissipate the heat through the channels present in the absorber bodies and, for example, can heat up directly adjacent thermal storage elements. The storage elements can be present in the same or an adjacent container. When the sun is no longer shining, the stored thermal energy can be used to operate a gas turbine, for example, or to implement an endothermic chemical reaction.

CH 711 030 B1 These and other features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, which are non-limiting examples that refer to the following non-scale drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a receiver according to the invention with an annular absorber stack which is connected to a plurality of pressure pipe heat conductors for the purpose of dissipating the thermal energy, which extend into the high-temperature memory of the receiver. The ring is to be made as far as required by the radiation from a mirror field placed on the side. In the case of a central radiation source (e.g. by means of a so-called “beam-down” mirror device), the absorber stacks can also be arranged in a ring with an opening inwards. The pressure pipe heat conductors are then to be led outside to the planned users of the energy source.

Fig. 2 shows schematically a second embodiment of a receiver, in which V-shaped, vertically stacked absorber bodies receive the radiation and allow the metal evaporation taking place in the cooling channels, the pressure pipe heat conductors are then connected to a high-temperature storage tank (or more, depending on the needs of the "consumer": "I" + "III").

Fig. 3 shows schematically a third embodiment of a compact receiver, in which a high-temperature storage tank is connected via a heat exchanger to an area for various applications ("I-II-III-IV"). There, heat exchangers / condensers can be installed in different temperature zones, making optimal use of the thermodynamic gradient.

Fig. 4 symbolically shows, for further explanation, a receiver in a side view with a radiation source inside.

Fig. 5 shows a side section through a pressure pipe heat conductor with a structure with an inner liner and enclosing CFC composite in the area of a tube sheet. The composite can be produced by winding (“wrap”) or prefabricated ring segments that prevent the thin-walled inner liner from creeping at temperatures of over 1000 ° C. Particularly in the area of connections of such tubes, both versions can also be used one above the other (“wrap” plus rings).

FIG. 6 shows a section at point VI-VI of the pressure pipe heat conductor from FIG. 5.

Description of the figures in detail with reference to the legend. A receiver 1 is shown in FIG. 1, the essential components of which are pressure pipe heat conductors as metal boiling channels 2, which by means of curved connecting pressure pipes 21 of a similar design into a high-temperature store 3 to lead. A V-shaped black absorber body stack 15 lies behind a cylindrically curved window 16. The high-temperature store 3 is accommodated in a cylindrical container 20, on the upper front side of which the receiver 1 with connection pressure pipes 21 welded into the bottom of the receiver dome 27 is arranged is. The incident radiation 6 is initially further compressed by preconcentrators 7, so that a complete absorption field for the radiation is formed on the outside. This is then reflected several times on the inside on the sloping walls of the V-shaped absorber body 15, and the thermal energy is almost completely absorbed by the black walls of the absorber body. In order to be able to dissipate the thermal energy as quickly and efficiently as possible into the high-temperature store, according to the invention, a plurality of pressure pipe heat conductors are installed in positions 2 in the absorber bodies 15, in which liquid metal boils with a suitable pressure control, preferably light metal mixtures which are above 900 Boil at low pressure. Narrow preheating ducts 14 can also be accommodated in the absorber body, which enables pipe supply lines only from above.

2, the receiver 1 is shown in a side view. The bottom side of the receiver dome 27 receives the pressure tube heat conductor 21 as a tube plate, the upper end face of the high-temperature store 3 has corresponding connections for the pressure tubes welded to the bottom surface of the receiver for the metal vapor supplied from the boiling process. The extensions of the pressure pipe heat conductors leading through the storage device can give off heat by means of heat conduction or condensation on the walls of the pressure pipes. Some of the heat energy supplied can also be used in the condenser / heat exchanger units below ("I" + "III") in an optimized thermodynamic gradient. There are various possible uses, which will be mentioned in detail later.

The pressure tube heat conductors 2, 21 are made of carbon fiber reinforced composite (= CFC: carbon fiber carbon composite), and thus have extremely high temperature resistance and very good thermal conductivity. The pressure tube heat conductors 2, 21 are preferably designed as strands or tubes which extend into the ceramic high-temperature memory 3 and there the thermal energy directly through condensation or indirectly through contact of the pressure tube heat conductors 2, 21 and radiation / gas convection on storage elements 9.10 issues. The thermal energy stored in the preferably spherical storage elements can then be used with a time delay if no radiation is present in the receivers for the production of electrical energy or chemical process technology, for example by continuing to operate the liquid metal circulation with decreasing radiation. Then it will be

CH 711 030 B1 relocated the evaporation and overheating zone to the hot areas in the receiver tank and the high-temperature storage. For example, even when the sun is low, the reduced radiation that still occurs can still be used, but work can still be carried out continuously at the same condensation temperature until the high-temperature storage area also decreases as far as the transition to the “consumers” (I + Il + III + IV) Has temperatures. It is therefore possible to work much longer in the high-temperature condenser «1» than would be possible after the position of the sun. In FIG. 2, only a condenser “1” is shown as the “consumer”, which heats up the gas supplied by the compressor in pressure tubes of a closed gas turbine cycle and thus drives the gas turbine. The waste heat from the gas turbine can also be used in a steam generator «III», which enables combined turbine operation. The figures show these possibilities according to the invention, but without showing all relevant details, a compact system in the so-called Cheng cycle is also possible, the gas turbine being made with a mixture of e.g. Nitrogen water vapor is operated.

Fig. 3 shows the basic structure of a system that enables a complete circuit for various chemical products in a surrounding, cylindrical storage tank 4, each optimized according to the required temperature ranges. "Consumers" are then "I" + "II" + "III" + "IV". As an example, a system for the "ZnO + C reduction process" is only shown symbolically, since it is not essential for the claims from this patent specification , The essential steps of this process are known and published, but the heating by means of solar energy through the capacitor from the metal circuit 5 in FIG. 2 is new in this combination. Both the first high-temperature store 3 and the second low-temperature store 4 form containers 20 which enclose the inner high-temperature store 3 and the low-temperature store 4. The containers for 3 and 4 are filled with ceramic storage balls 9, 10, which can absorb and store the heat escaping from the pressure pipe heat conductors 21 into the inner high-temperature storage 3 in the container 20.

4 shows views of possible versions of the radiation guide. Details of the pressure tube heat conductors are shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Instead of the sectioned preheating region 14, a so-called “beam-down” mirror device is also conceivable as the radiation concentration: in this case, the radiation source is in the middle and the absorber stacks 15 are correspondingly opened inwards. The pressure pipe heat conductors 21 can then be led outwards in a star shape. It is crucial according to the invention that the concentrated heat generated in the black absorber stacks is also removed in a concentrated manner by metal boiling (metal circuit 5). This allows a compact, highly efficient design. In sunshine-disadvantaged areas, a pebble of nuclear fuel elements can be filled in as radiation, which can then be easily operated underground. Everything runs under protective gas and there is therefore no fire risk for hot CFC components or the (light) metal circuit 5.

4 preferably shows designs of a receiver for the entire system when irradiated in the middle of an absorber stack arrangement 26. Designs for the pressure pipe heat conductor 21 with internal liner 23, stabilized with CFC wrapping “wrap” 24 and possibly CFC rings 25 are shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The rings 25 can be designed such that they come into contact with the surrounding receiver channels 2 or ball storage elements 22 only at certain points.

3 and 4 for carbothermal ZnO reduction (ZnO + C> Zn vapor + CO), a cooling circuit is provided in the low-temperature store 4, in the lines of which condensation is generated in this reaction cycle Zinc vapor occurs so that the metal can be drawn off in liquid form and thus separated from the CO gas. Further steps of the chemical process, in particular the use of CO, are not the subject of this patent, however, here too the heating energy obtained from the solar heat metal vapor condenser and the process control via pressure and temperature control of a continuous loop as Zn metal -Mix, driven by a plunger pump 8, which feeds the starting products, preferably in pre-pressed pellets. This version with continuous separation of the liquid zinc and CO gas produced are new.

The capacitors and heat exchangers shown in FIGS. 1,2, 3, 4 with different, possible cooling circuits (loops) are suitable for pressure pipes as a gas turbine heating chamber, but also as reaction rooms for various other chemical reactions with an endothermic energy balance, only ZnO + C> Zn + CO is shown as an example. The following non-exhaustive applications result from this:

1. Application for CSP (Concentrated Solar Heat for Electrical Power Generation) This application can operate a gas turbine that starts quickly by means of a compressed gas circuit in the condenser / heat exchanger “1” coupled to the high-temperature storage area 3. The prerequisite here is that the storage area 3 is charged by condensation in the sunshine over the carbon fiber stabilized pressure tube heat conductor by means of superheated metal vapor. On request, liquid metal can be evaporated in the receiver circuit and the subsequent high-temperature storage 3, in order to then bring the shielding gas supplied by the compressor of the gas turbine to the condensation temperature in condenser 1, even without external radiation, so that the storage becomes the "combustion chamber" of the gas turbine becomes! According to the invention - decoupled from the metal / steam cycle, it can also be used as reserve capacity for quick starts at any time if fossil fuels are kept in stock and burned in a compact combustion chamber of the gas turbine, according to the prior art. According to the invention, this capacity is available until the fault in the regional network has been remedied. In this operating state, too, the waste heat from the gas turbine can preferably be used to generate steam in unit “IV”, with the possibility of

CH 711 030 B1 to increase the gas pressure by steam injection using a steam jet pump and to operate the turbine in the so-called Cheng cycle. With an existing steam turbine, a compact “combined cycle power plant” can also be operated, depending on local needs.

2. Application of HT furnace cooling (heat source mostly electrical) The principle of cooling a high-temperature receiver by means of metal vaporization of pressure tube heat conductors stabilized by carbon fiber bundles can also be used for improved waste heat utilization in high-temperature furnace processes. The furnace space is then in the middle, surrounded by the receiver absorber stacks, which emit the heat to the storage, for use on demand (= valuable peak-time energy generation).

3. Application for nuclear radiation receivers with compact conversion into thermal energy (also for chemical process heat) at temperatures around 1000 ° C. In this application, the radiation source is represented by the radiating spheres filled in the receiver. These react in accordance with the nuclear process control, the effect is the same as with solar radiation (which is actually nuclear radiation, but filtered by the atmosphere, the energy-intensive, hard radiation components are missing!). For atomic reasons, sodium should preferably be used as the evaporating metal; temperatures> 1000 ° C can also be represented via the pressure!

4. Application for process heat utilization In the detailed example, the process for the “ZnO + C = Zn + CO, then Zn + H20 = ZnO + H2 '” reaction is mentioned, as shown in FIG. 3.

The reaction runs in a separate loop, driven by a plunger pump 8, which feeds pellets with the starting materials via a feed 28, the endothermic process with gas / vapor evolution is heated by the condensation zone of the cooling pressure tubes. The condensation of the zinc produced and the separation of the resulting CO gas take place in the external storage tank. This is available for other processes, preferably for the “water gas shift reaction” to generate hydrogen, which is preferably reformed with further CO to form CH3OH (methanol), thus providing a valuable fuel additive for mobile use.

The zinc produced is removed at the Zn decrease 29 and can be easily transported and implemented at the place of use (preferably locations with unfavorable solar radiation and severe air pollution from coal heating) with water vapor to form hydrogen. This burns in fuel cells or decentralized compact gas turbines / hydrogen engines at the point of use, giving off electrical energy + heat for city heating, on demand from the operator. The resulting ZnO can then be recycled to the start process.

The cooling / reaction tubes with emerging, evaporating liquid zinc lie in the middle ring of the condenser connecting at high temperature. Due to the turbulence and preferably used catalysts - Ce-Fe oxide or organic components added to the pellets or pressed into the pellets or attached to the walls in a metallic manner - there is an intensive reaction (also due to parallel CO evolution). According to the invention, there is a considerable output intensity in production.

In the outer annulus of this chemical production cycle, the cooling tubes, which partially condense the Zn / CO vapor mixture, are cooled in countercurrent with about 400-500 ° C circulating gas.

The residual heat, in particular from the zinc condensation, can optionally be used in gas and steam turbines, preferably after the chemical reactions have ceased after sunset, when the stores can still give off gas / steam of up to 1000 ° C.

Legend [0061]

Radiation receiver with pressure tube metal boilers

Carbon fiber (CFC) stabilized pressure tube heat conductors

High-temperature storage area

Low temperature storage area

Metal / gas cooling cycle

Radiation entry cyl. container

Vorkonzentratoren radiation

Liquid metal plunger

CH 711 030 B1

Ceramic storage balls, standard materials

Ceramic storage balls made of various high-temperature materials

Carbon monoxide-zinc vapor bubbles

Ceramic wall with highly insulating wool

Sectioned cooling condenser

Sectioned preheating areas

Vertical V-shaped absorber stack

Arched window behind preconcentrator

Base plate of the receiver with welded pressure pipe ends and seal

Cover plate of the accumulator / condenser, welded pressure pipe ends

Separation of CO gas from liquid metal (s)

High-temperature storage wall with high-insulation wool designed as a tower

High-temperature pressure pipe bends in the receiver dome

High temperature storage balls, pressure pipe bends stabilizing

Cuff made of heat-resistant metal alloy, liner welded inside

CFC carbon fiber bundle as a «wrap»

CFC rings to stabilize the internal pressure pipe

Receiver arrangement for radiation incidence in the middle of the absorber stack

Container, receiver dome

Zn decrease

ZnO supply

Claims (29)

claims 1. Receiver (1) for collecting concentrated radiation comprising - a container (27) with at least one radiation inlet opening (16), - Absorber bodies (15) provided in the container (27), which have black walls at least in some areas and are arranged behind the radiation inlet opening (16), for collecting the radiation energy and converting it into thermal energy, - In the absorber bodies (15) existing channels for the passage of a heat transfer medium, - A high-temperature storage (3) forming receiving space (20) for heat storage elements, which defines a storage zone, and - In the receiving space (20) existing heat storage elements (9, 10), characterized in that there are pressure tubes (2) forming a cooling circuit in the channels, which extend from the absorber bodies (15) into the receiving space (20) and in which purpose Dissipation of the heat absorbed in the hot absorber bodies, liquid metal can be evaporated and can be condensed in the receiving space (20) for heating the heat storage elements (9, 10) or in other consumers. 2. Receiver according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressure tubes (2) with high temperature resistant fiber bundles (24) are stabilized. 3. Receiver according to claim 2, characterized in that the high temperature-resistant fiber bundles (24) are made of carbon fiber reinforced composite material. 4. Receiver according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the pressure tubes (2) comprise a liner (23) within the stabilizing fiber bundle (24). 5. Receiver according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the fiber bundles (24) are made of a windable, flexible braid or fabric. CH 711 030 B1 6. Receiver according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving space (20) and the container (27) are separate components, wherein the pressure tubes (2) at the transition of the container (27) and the receiving space (20) are connectably divided , whereby first and second pressure tubes are formed. 7. Receiver according to claim 6, characterized in that the ends of the first pressure tubes are arranged on the bottom (17) of the container (27) and are preferably welded into the bottom (17). 8. Receiver according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heat storage elements (9, 10, 22) are spherical. 9. Receiver according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the respective absorber body (15) has the shape of a funnel or a V-shaped body. 10. Receiver according to claim 9, characterized in that the funnel or the V-shaped body is constructed from its plurality of disks or segments. 11. Receiver according to claim 10, characterized in that the disks or segments are connected to the pressure tubes (2). 12. Receiver according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressure tubes (2) bear in places or at points on the inner walls of the channels. 13. Receiver according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that either the inner walls of the channels or the outer walls of the pressure tubes (2) have elevations. 14. Receiver according to one of claims 5 to 13, characterized in that the composite material as a binder has a combination of Si and SiC, which binder is incorporated in the matrix of the braid or fabric. 15. Receiver according to one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that the disks or segments have openings. 16. Receiver according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cooling circuit of the receiver (1) in the high-temperature memory (3) is carried out by a plurality of parallel pressure pipes which outside the high-temperature memory (3) in a heat exchanger / condenser ( 5) open, which serves as heating of a second cooling circuit. 17. Receiver according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the cooling circuit of the receiver (1) is realized in that the vaporous liquid metal is directly condensable to the heat storage elements (9, 10, 22) by the liquid metal directly to the Heat storage elements can be brought up. 18. Receiver according to one of claims 16 to 17, characterized in that endothermic chemical reactions can take place in the second cooling circuit. 19. Receiver according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the absorber body (15) have a light-trapping geometry which is suitable for capturing incident light by multiple reflection on the black walls and converting it into heat. 20. Receiver according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiver (1) has a high-temperature memory (3) and a low-temperature memory (4) adjoining the high-temperature memory (3), and the high-temperature memory ( 3) is separated from the low-temperature store (4) by a heat-insulated wall. 21. Receiver according to one of claims 16 to 20, characterized in that the second cooling circuit can be used for steam generation and gas-chemical reactions. 22. Receiver according to one of claims 9 to 21, characterized in that the receiver (11) can be used for concentrated, vertical solar radiation by a mirror device (26) directing the solar radiation vertically into the center of the receiver (11) and in which the absorber body (15) are arranged in a ring. 23. Receiver according to one of claims 21 or 22, characterized in that the receiver (1) comprises a plunger pump and the second cooling circuit (5) can be filled by means of the plunger pump with solid pellets which melt at a higher temperature or gas / decompose in vapor form. 24. Receiver according to claim 23, characterized in that the second cooling circuit (5) in the upper region of the low-temperature accumulator (4) has at least one outlet which leads to a cooling / condensation section which has a separation device for gas-liquid separation and one subsequent pouring device for recovering the metal produced. 25. Receiver according to one of claims 21 to 24, characterized in that the second cooling circuit (5) in the hot reaction area is equipped with catalysts which promote hot gas synthesis in further heat exchangers. 26. Receiver according to one of claims 4 to 25, characterized in that the fiber bundles (24) are made of sliver, which is coated with a binder and rolled around the liner (23). CH 711 030 B1 27. Receiver according to claim 26, characterized in that the pressure tubes (2) with the binder, preferably silicon carbide, are liquid phase sintered. 28. Receiver according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressure tubes (2) are surrounded by carbon fiber reinforced composite material rings (25), in particular at welded-together connection zones. 29. Use of a receiver (1) according to one of claims 22 to 28 for the use of nuclear energy by nuclear radiation bodies are filled in the receiving space formed by the ring-shaped absorber body (15). CH 711 030 B1 CH 711 030 B1