WO2011128084A2

WO2011128084A2 - Device and method for cleaning solar installations

Info

Publication number: WO2011128084A2
Application number: PCT/EP2011/001854
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jacques Graf De Lalaing; Jan Alsters; José CUEVAS HIDALGO; Dominik Hellen; Georg Reichert
Original assignee: Solar Power Group Gmbh
Priority date: 2010-04-13
Filing date: 2011-04-13
Publication date: 2011-10-20
Also published as: CN103003639A; WO2011128084A3; DE102010014790A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a cleaning device (1) for cleaning solar elements of a solar installation. Said cleaning device (1) comprises a transport device for driving the cleaning device (1) to the solar element to be cleaned. The invention also relates to a solar power station comprising a cleaning device (1) arranged on a supporting structure, and to a method for cleaning solar elements, especially heliostats.

Description

description

Apparatus and method for the cleaning of

solar systems

The present invention relates to a

Cleaning device for cleaning solar elements of a solar system according to claim 1. It further relates to a solar power plant according to claim 12 and a method for cleaning solar elements according to claim 14.

Solar elements of solar systems must be depending on

Pollution degree be cleaned to a high

Achieve energy yield of solar radiation. Depending on the environmental conditions and respective location of the

Solar systems pollute the solar elements, such as heliostats, by sand, dust particles in the air or other causes.

Large solar plants, whether thermal solar power plants or photovoltaic systems, have a high space requirement in order to use a large proportion of solar radiation. The entire area often covers several

ten thousand square meters. The cleaning of the solar elements of such large systems presents a challenge for which there are various technical solutions. The object of the present invention is a further technical solution for cleaning solar elements

propose. Furthermore, a solar power plant with a

CONFIRMATION COPY correspondingly arranged cleaning device and a method for cleaning the solar elements proposed.

The object of the invention is achieved by a

Cleaning device for cleaning solar elements solved according to the features of claim 1.

The cleaning device according to the invention has a

Transport device for approaching the

Cleaning device to the solar element to be cleaned on.

The term cleaning device as used herein refers to a device which is suitable for cleaning or washing a solar element.

The cleaning device can in various variants, for example, for dry cleaning and / or cleaning with at least one washing liquid or a

Cleaning agents are carried out: e.g. can the

Cleaning device a spray and / or

Spraying device, a brush device, which

for example, constant (rotational movement in

different axial directions) and / or superimposed with an interval movement can rotate, a brush device in a linear motion and / or superimposed with a

Interval movement or sponges with different

Porosities and / or of different materials, wiper blades, cloths, scrapers and the like, depending on the type of contamination and / or degree of soiling of the elements to be cleaned, be equipped. The cleaning device may further include means for peeling such as squeegee, peel-off and

the like and / or drying, such as

Dry wiping or dry blowing, or for sucking off the cleaned elements.

The term transport device, as used herein, means a device for transporting the cleaning device to the solar element to be cleaned within a solar system.

In one embodiment of the invention is the

Transport device a driverless transport device, which without active control of the on the

Transport device located vehicle driver can be driven along a route. In particular, the driverless transport device is approached to a position of a solar element. The controller and / or

Control of the transport device can be done fully automatically or triggered and accompanied by the operator of the solar system.

By providing a driverless transport device, it is possible to run the cleaning of solar elements, for example, even fully automatically.

The transport device can be made in one piece, in two parts or in several parts.

In one embodiment of the invention, the

Transport device made in two parts and moved on rails in the solar system. A first part is called

Carriage designated, a second part as Carrier means. The carriage can for example be moved on a rail system on the ground within the solar system, the support means on rails on a support structure of the solar system.

A support structure designates a constructive, mechanical framework of the solar system, which is suitable for receiving and holding components of the solar system, in particular of solar elements.

The rail system may be attached to a support structure of the solar system.

In one embodiment of the invention is the

Cleaning device with the carrier device of

Transport device connected.

The cleaning device may be releasably or permanently attached to the carrier device.

In particular, a releasable attachment can offer the advantage that the support means both only for the transport of the cleaning device, as well as only for the transport of solar elements or only to transport more

Facilities can be used for other tasks.

Of course, the transport device can be designed in such a way that all desired or desired functions can be performed simultaneously or equally.

The solubility of the cleaning device can

be configured differently, for example by means Bolt or pin connections and / or other releasable (securing) elements.

In a further preferred embodiment, the cleaning device has at least one position sensor in order to start the cleaning process at least indirectly.

A "position sensor" as preferably herein

is used, refers to a sensor for

Determining a position of the cleaning device

is provided and designed inside or on the solar system.

Such position sensors can be constructed according to different physical principles of action. Examples of such operating principles are: optical sensors (e.g., photodiode arrays), inductive sensors, potentiometric sensors, capacitive sensors, Hall effect sensors,

Rotation sensors based on optical and / or

mechanical principles, piezoelectric transducers and the like.

In one embodiment of the invention, such

Position sensors used to determine the position of the

To determine cleaning device to a solar element to be cleaned in order to start the cleaning process, at least indirectly.

A first position sensor, for example, on the

Cleaning device is attached, can detect the position by detecting certain geometries or parts of the support structure. A "geometry" on the support structure may include a hole, a bore, a recess or the like in the

Be support structure in which the solar element was fixed or hung.

A "part" on the support structure may be a

Fixing screw, a bearing element or the like, which serves the attachment or storage of the solar element to the support structure.

Using this first position sensor or the

Evaluation of the signals of this sensor, the approach of the carrier device, to which the cleaning device is attached or suspended, are controlled. When the support means the position for cleaning the

Solar element has reached, the support device is stopped, for example.

A second position sensor, which also at the

Cleaning device may be attached, such geometries (holes, recesses or the like) or parts (mounting screws, bearing elements or

etc.) on the support structure while the support means is moved within the solar system. By evaluating the signals of this second sensor, the number of detected geometries or parts of the

Carrier device to be determined within the solar system. If a certain, predetermined position is achieved by detection of this second sensor, then with the help of the first sensor, the other

Positioning of the cleaning device to start the cleaning process done. It is also possible that the described functions of the first and second sensor by only one sensor

be executed.

After reaching and positioning the cleaning device using the described position sensors, a further position sensor for the detection of the orientation of the solar element may be necessary. For example, the solar element may be oriented so that the

Sunlight is used optimally. For the

Cleaning process, however, a different position may be necessary, for example when the

Cleaning device from below to the solar element

to be introduced. For this purpose, the orientation of the solar element with the further position sensor must first be detected and then reoriented accordingly, for example by means of a control for rotating the solar element.

In a further preferred embodiment, a brush and an actuator are provided on the cleaning device. This actuator serves to position the brushes on the solar element.

The term actuatorics as used herein

denotes the generation of a mechanical movement by means of an actuator, which converts electronic signals into a mechanical movement.

In one embodiment of the invention, the actuator system is constructed such that the brush is moved by means of a linear motor of the cleaning device to the solar element. Further embodiments of an actuator system may be one of an electric motor, such as a stepper motor, driven shaft, nut or threaded spindle, which moves the brush to the solar element.

In a further preferred embodiment, the cleaning device has a guide rail, along which at least one rotating brush is movable substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the transport device.

The term guide rail, as used herein, refers to a rail or rail system for guiding devices for cleaning the solar elements. These

Device has at least one rotating brush. However, other means of cleaning may be used, such as spraying and / or

Spraying devices, sponges, wiper blades or

like.

The guide rails can be designed as round rod guides, but they can also be used as

Profile rail system, cage rail system or the like.

In one embodiment of the invention, a rotating brush is guided by two rod guides along the longitudinal side of the solar element. The rotating brush can be moved by an actuator from the cleaning device to the solar element. The movement of the rotating brush can be superimposed on a longitudinal movement along the rail or the rail system. In a further preferred embodiment with

at least one rotating brush runs the

Rotation axis of the rotating brush substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the transport device.

In this case, both rotated by 180 degrees brush assemblies for the cleaning process can be applied. In a further embodiment of the invention, two cleaning devices are arranged side by side. Each of these two cleaning devices can be arranged on a carrier device. At this

Design of the carriage of the transport device must be designed so that both side by side

arranged cleaning devices, so twice the width compared to a simple arrangement on the

Trolley can be attached. This embodiment has the advantage that the

Cleaning process of the solar elements can be improved. When using non-rotating brushes, so

For example, comb-like arranged brush elements with a comb direction transverse to the direction of movement of

Cleaning device, it may be possible that the

Do not brush the solar panels down to the two

Can clean end positions of the direction of movement, as shown in Fig. 1. However, the

Brushes are arranged such that at least up to an end position, an almost complete cleaning of the solar elements is possible. In this case, that can

Solar element then be almost completely cleaned when the two parallel brushes, starting from a starting position in the middle of the cleaning device to be moved in opposite directions to the respective end position. Other position sensors can be attached to the movable

Cleaning elements arranged to detect the end positions of the travel paths. By means of a control of the cleaning elements, a stop and a movement in the opposite direction of movement can thereby advantageously be initiated. Also, a new positioning in the starting position is possible.

In a further preferred embodiment, the cleaning device has a container for

Cleaning agent with a conveyor for the

Cleaner on.

Instead of a cleaning agent can also be a

Washing liquid or the like may be contained in the container for the purpose of cleaning the solar elements.

A container for a cleaning agent may contain, for example, water as a washing liquid. Furthermore, additives can be added to the water to achieve a better cleaning effect. Through the use of additives, the water volume can be reduced by the better cleaning effect. It is also possible that certain impurities of the solar elements can only be removed by certain additives.

Instead of water, other detergents can also be used

used, depending on the materials of the

Solar elements, the pollution, the possible use of a reprocessing plant, the availability of a cleaning agent or the like can be selected. The size of the container can be adapted to the size or number of solar elements to be cleaned. However, other factors may also be decisive in choosing the size of the containers, such as the size and carrying capacity of the transport device, the optimization of the travel paths within the solar system with respect to the

Refilling the container or the like.

The choice of cleaning agent also depends on the variant in which the cleaning device is performed. Variants can brushes, spray and / or

Spraying devices, sponges, wiper blades or

to be like that.

The aterialwahl the container and thus also the weight of the container also depends on the choice of the cleaning agent.

Furthermore, this preferred embodiment has a

Conveying device for the cleaning agent.

A conveyor may be a pump that the

Promotes detergent from the container, for example by a hose to the cleaning device. The applied delivery pressure, also called delivery height, depends on the hose geometry (length, diameter), the

Detergent and the cleaning device, depending on whether a brush, a spray and / or

Spraying device or other device used becomes. In a spraying and / or spraying device, the delivery pressure; usually much higher than, for example, when using a brush device. In a further preferred embodiment, the cleaning device has a collecting device for the

Detergent after cleaning up.

A collecting device for the cleaning agent may consist of a trough, gutter, shell or the like, which are arranged in particular below the cleaned solar elements. The collected detergent can then be passed into a tank, for example passively by gravity or actively by means of a pump.

The collected detergent can then

disposed of, reused or partly disposed of and partly reused. In a further preferred embodiment, the

Cleaning device on a treatment device for the cleaning agent.

A treatment device refers to a device for the treatment of liquids or other media, usually for the purpose of reusing the medium.

The treatment may consist of a physical and / or chemical and / or biological treatment.

In a physical treatment, in particular by means of filtration filters for the separation of

Impurities of certain particle sizes used which can also be carried out stepwise with different filter sizes. Both the filtrate (filtered liquid) and the filtered particles (filter cake) can be recycled. Also possible is a partial or

complete disposal of the treated media.

In a chemical treatment, for example, toxic substances by means of chemical reactions

be neutralized.

In a biological treatment can live

Organisms, e.g. Microbes for decomposition or

Implementation of certain ingredients are used.

Reprocessing may also provide for the recycled media to be used for other purposes. This can be the case if the quality of the treated media no longer meets the requirements for the cleaning agent. This could be possible, for example, if the pH of the filtrate was shifted by air contaminants in such a way that damage to the solar elements can not be ruled out. A possible chemical treatment can not be used for other reasons (costs, technology, environmental conditions etc.).

An embodiment of the invention provides water as a cleaning agent by the cleaning process of

Solar elements was contaminated, after the preparation to use again for use as a cleaning agent. For example, the processing process filters sand grains and other particles. The preparation can contain process steps to measure the quality of the treated medium and

then the medium either a reuse, a reprocessing or another

Use to be supplied.

In a further preferred embodiment, the cleaning device has a closed circuit for the cleaning agent.

A closed circuit for the cleaning agent denotes a cycle in which the cleaning agent is largely reused. Only those parts of the cleaning agent which are contained in the filter cake and fed to another use are removed from the detergent circuit.

In a further preferred embodiment, the solar elements are heliostats and the solar system is a Fresnel solar power plant.

A heliostat refers to a mirror that keeps the sunlight largely at the same, fixed point, largely independent of the change in the sun's position in the sky

reflected.

A Fresnel solar power station is the name of a solar power plant where sunlight is spread over several solar panels

Heliostat is directed to an absorber. This absorber, which is often designed as an absorber tube, flows a fluid that is heated by the sunlight. In a solar power plant, here synonymous with a solar thermal power plant, electricity from sunlight is generated by means of a heat engine. The object of the invention is equally by an inventive solar power plant with an on the

Carrier structure of the heliostats arranged

Cleaning device according to claim 12 solved. In a preferred embodiment, the

Cleaning device arranged below the heliostats.

This has the advantage that the cleaning agent can drain directly after cleaning down into a collecting device. Impurities such as sand flow directly with the cleaning agent.

The object of the invention is equally achieved by a method according to the invention for cleaning

Solar elements, in particular heliostats, one

Solar power plant solved according to claim 14.

The method according to the invention comprises moving

at least one solar element in a cleaning position, the approach of a cleaning device to at least one solar element and the start of the cleaning process.

In a further preferred embodiment, after the cleaning device has approached the solar element, the method comprises setting at least one brush of the cleaning device against the surface to be cleaned

Solar element. In a further preferred embodiment, after the cleaning device has approached, the method comprises starting the delivery of a cleaning agent to the brushes and / or the solar elements.

In a further preferred embodiment, the method comprises that the cleaning position of the solar elements is a position in which a reflection surface of the

Solar elements pointing vertically downwards.

In a further preferred embodiment, the method comprises detecting the soiling state and restarting the cleaning process when the

Pollution degree above a predefined

Pollution degree is.

The detection of the pollution condition can

For example, by sensors, the intensity of the reflection of incident light on the

Measure reflective surfaces. The reference value can be defined as the intensity after cleaning

is measured.

A predefined degree of soiling can likewise occur after a defined contamination and the following

Measuring the intensity of the reflection of incident light on the reflective surfaces can be determined.

In the following, the present invention is under

With reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawing, identical reference numerals designate the same or identical elements. Fig. 1 shows a cleaning device with a

Support means; and

Fig. 2 shows a carrier device on a carriage

Fig. 1 shows a cleaning device 1, the

Cleaning of solar panels is suitable. The

Cleaning device 1 has two brush elements 3 and 3 on a support device, wherein the brush elements in the x direction on guide rails 5 are movable.

The brush elements 3 and 3 'are comb-like configured perpendicular to the direction of travel (x-direction).

The brush elements 3 and 3 'have opposite directions

Traversing directions, with a start position in the middle of the travels. The travel paths each extend to the end position at the ends of the carrier device.

Afterwards they will be driven back to the starting position. The two brush elements 3 and 3 'are each optimized to clean up to the edge or end area.

The brush elements 3 and 3 'can be driven by electric motors, for example. Position sensors 7 (shown here only by way of example at one position) can detect the end positions of the brush elements 3 and 3 'and corresponding control signals

Forward electric motors.

On or on the support means one or more detergent reservoirs 9 are arranged. The brush elements 3 and 3 'can be moved by means of an actuator in the z-direction to be employed on the solar elements. Subsequently, the start of the

Washing or cleaning process started.

Fig. 2 shows a carriage 11, on which a

Carrier device 13 is suspended. The carriage 11 is moved on a rail system 15 by means of rollers 17.

Position sensors 19 can detect the position of the carriage 11 within the solar system.

The solar elements to be cleaned at the

Support structure 21 of the solar system attached. The carrier device 13 is displaceable on guide elements 23. Furthermore, a power supply system 25 is arranged on the vehicle 11, for example

To drive electric motors.

Claims

Cleaning device (1) for cleaning

Solar elements of a solar system, characterized in that the cleaning device (1) a

Transport device has to the

Cleaning device (1) to be cleaned

To approach the solar element.

Cleaning device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cleaning device (1) has a position sensor (7) to the

Start cleaning process at least indirectly.

Cleaning device (1) according to one of

preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning device (1) has at least one brush (3) for cleaning the solar elements.

Cleaning device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the brush (3) via an actuator to the solar element is adjustable.

Cleaning device (1) according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the

Cleaning device (1) has a guide rail (5), along the at least one rotating

Brush is movable substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the transport device. Cleaning device (1) according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that at least one rotating brush is provided, whose axis of rotation is substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the transport device.

Cleaning device (1) according to one of

preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning device (1) comprises a container for a cleaning agent (9) and a conveying device for the cleaning agent.

Cleaning device (1) according to one of

previous claims, characterized in that the cleaning device (1) a

Detergent collection device after cleaning.

Cleaning device (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the cleaning device (1) is a processing device for the

Having cleaning agent.

Cleaning device (1) according to one of

previous claims, characterized in that the cleaning device (1) has a closed circuit for the cleaning agent.

Cleaning device (1) according to one of

previous claims, characterized in that it is the solar elements to heliostats and the solar system is a solar thermal system and in particular a Fresnel solar power plant. Solar power plant with a arranged on a support structure of the heliostat cleaning device (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

Solar power plant according to claim 12, characterized

characterized in that the cleaning device (1) is arranged below the heliostats.

Method for cleaning solar elements,

in particular heliostats, of a solar power plant with the steps:

Move at least one solar element into one

Cleaning position,

- Approach a cleaning device (1)

at least one solar element,

- Start the cleaning process.

Method for cleaning solar elements of a

Solar installation according to claim 14, characterized in that after approaching the cleaning device (1) at least one brush of the cleaning device (1) is employed on the surface to be cleaned of the solar element.

Method for cleaning solar elements of a

Solar installation according to one of claims 14 or 15, characterized in that after the approach of the cleaning device (1) the promotion of a

Cleaning agent on the brush (3, 3 ') and / or the solar elements is started.

17. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the cleaning position of

Solar elements is a position in which a

Reflection surface of the solar elements points vertically downwards.

18. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 17,

characterized by the step

- Detecting the soiling condition

and restarting the cleaning process when the fouling condition exceeds a predefined one

Pollution degree is.