Solar receiver with direct absorption media irradiation

Abstract

A solar receiver having a receiver vessel with a receiver chamber, a receiver cover with a receiver window, a receiver fluid inlet, a receiver fluid outlet, and an absorption media matrix in the receiver chamber. In operation of the solar receiver, incident solar radiation is transmitted through the receiver window to the absorption media matrix. Receiver fluid is circulated through the receiver chamber and the absorption media matrix. Heat is transferred from the absorption media matrix to the receiver fluid.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]This invention is in the field of devices and methods for solar energy collection and in particular in the field of devices and methods for the reception and absorption of solar radiation by an absorption media and transfer of the energy of the absorbed solar radiation to a transfer fluid.[0002]There are many prior art devices and methods for the reception and absorption of solar radiation. These prior art devices may provide for the reception and absorption of radiation directly from the sun, or may provide for the reception and absorption of concentrated solar radiation from a solar collector, or both. The received and absorbed radiation may result in the direct generation of electric current, as for a photovoltaic system, or the absorbed solar energy may be transferred to a heat transfer fluid. These prior art devices involve varying levels of initial cost, operation and maintenance cost, operational complexity, operational reliability and efficiency.[0003]It is a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a solar receiver that uses a receiver vessel with a receiver chamber and a receiver cover with a receiver window to capture solar energy. The receiver fluid is circulated through the receiver chamber and may contain baffles to reduce short circuiting of the fluid. The receiver cover is attached to the receiver vessel wall by cover hinges and sealed against leakage of the fluid. The absorption media matrix is made of copper wool or other metallic wool with high thermal absorption rate and conductivity. The configuration and characteristics of the absorption media are selected to provide a more uniform distribution of energy absorbed from incident solar radiation. The receiver window is made of low reflectivity glass or plastic to maximize the transmission of solar energy to the absorption media. The invention improves the efficiency of energy transfer to the receiver fluid and reduces the radiative loss of reflected and emitted infrared radiation.

Problems solved by technology

These prior art devices involve varying levels of initial cost, operation and maintenance cost, operational complexity, operational reliability and efficiency.

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