Solar magnetohydrodynamic power generation

Abstract

A multi-stage solar concentrator (10) for use in a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) electrical power generation system or process heating applications, said concentrator including a static planar solar collector (11), a paraboloidal mirror (12) receiving photons from the planar solar collector, and a compound parabolic solar concentrator (13) receiving photons from both said planar solar collector and said paraboloidal mirror. Suitably a solar oven (15) adapted for use in a fluid circuit of the MHD system or in process heating receives concentrated solar energy from the solar concentrator (10) via a transparent window (14).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] This invention relates generally to the terrestrial and space application of electrical power generation from solar energy. [0003] In particular, although not exclusively, the invention relates to magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) power generation utilising both direct and diffuse solar radiation provided by a compound solar collector specifically adapted for that purpose, although the solar collector of the invention will find use in other process heating applications. [0004] 2. Discussion of the Background Art [0005] It is accepted that demand will continue to increase for energy both terrestrially and in space. Rapidly depleting fossil fuels cannot in the long run fulfil the ever increasing demand for energy. Further the use of fossil fuels has a detrimental effect on the environment. Nuclear power plants have the added risk of potential accidents with disastrous consequences for both human life and the environment. Both...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0018] Lastly an aim of certain embodiments of this invention is to provide a method of producing commercially significant amounts of electricity that is environmentally sound.

[0052] Preferably the concentrator would as solar intensity fluctuates according to the temperature requirement, filter and / or further concentrate the suns photons passing into the solar oven thus sustaining the temperature for maximum operation efficiency.

Problems solved by technology

Rapidly depleting fossil fuels cannot in the long run fulfil the ever increasing demand for energy.

Further the use of fossil fuels has a detrimental effect on the environment.

Nuclear power plants have the added risk of potential accidents with disastrous consequences for both human life and the environment.

Both nuclear power plants and hydroelectric plants have very high capital construction costs.

These high costs not only increase the unit cost of electricity for the consumer but also prevent many third world countries from generating electricity for domestic and particularly industry use in areas where power supply is most needed to generate industry, jobs and raise the average standard of living.

This would require the covering of very large tracts of land which would not only be very expensive due to land costs, but would be a poor environmental and agricultural use of land, not to mention aesthetically unappealing.

The cost and technology required for delivering a large array of photovoltaic cells into earth orbit tends to be prohibitive.

The use of concentrators with photovoltaic cells is limited due to the decrease in efficiency corresponding with the increase in heat from the concentrator.

Thus the advantage of a high level of radiation using concentrators is lost when using photovoltaic cells.

Similarly, other design complications also arise and thus unit cost is greater for photovoltaic cells using concentrators, since tracking devices and other modifications to the cell for cooling purposes must be made.

However, these advances have not been applied in the way now envisaged by the present inventor.

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