Nanofluid for thermodynamic solar system

Abstract

Solar concentration system with thermo-vector fluid made up of gas-based nanofluids and with suitably shaped receiver element of the solar radiation.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is the U.S. National Stage under 35 USC 371 of PCT Application PCT / IB2012 / 053528.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]Object of the present invention is a particular kind of thermodynamic solar concentrator based on the use of gas-based nanofluids and particularly developed for high temperature applications. One of the main problems in the usage of high temperature solar systems is to individuate easily manipulated thermovector fluids guaranteeing the possibility to transport great thermal flows.[0004]2. Brief Description of the Prior Art[0005]In the current state of the art, at least two different kinds of thermo-vector fluids are used; the heat transmitting oils and the mixtures of melted salts. The heat-transmitting oil is one of the first fluids used in this field and is mainly disadvantageous owing to its physical-chemical nature; it cannot exceed temperatures of 390°, over which it begins to loose its peculi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text discusses the use of nanofluids, a new type of fluid that has high thermal conductivity, in thermal features and solar plants. Nanofluids offer advantages over traditional heat transfer fluids as they can increase heat capacity without needing high pressures and temperatures. The use of nanofluids can improve the performance of solar systems by directly absorbing solar radiation and increasing the coefficient of optic absorption. The patent proposes a solar concentration system that uses a gas-based nanofluid as the thermo-vector fluid and a suitable design of the receiver element for the system.

Problems solved by technology

In order to overcome the technological limitations mentioned before about traditional heat transfer fluids (synthetic oil or molten salt) some experiments have been carried out in the world using air as the working fluid of the plant; however, these experiments have revealed considerable problems of technological character, mainly linked to the combination of high pressures and temperatures needed for the operation plant.

Images