US20100012112A1 - Energy collector system having east-west extending linear reflectors - Google Patents
Energy collector system having east-west extending linear reflectors Download PDFInfo
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- US20100012112A1 US20100012112A1 US12/438,767 US43876707A US2010012112A1 US 20100012112 A1 US20100012112 A1 US 20100012112A1 US 43876707 A US43876707 A US 43876707A US 2010012112 A1 US2010012112 A1 US 2010012112A1
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- Prior art keywords
- receiver
- solar energy
- energy collector
- reflectors
- collector system
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S30/00—Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules
- F24S30/40—Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules for rotary movement
- F24S30/42—Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules for rotary movement with only one rotation axis
- F24S30/425—Horizontal axis
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S10/00—Solar heat collectors using working fluids
- F24S10/70—Solar heat collectors using working fluids the working fluids being conveyed through tubular absorbing conduits
- F24S10/75—Solar heat collectors using working fluids the working fluids being conveyed through tubular absorbing conduits with enlarged surfaces, e.g. with protrusions or corrugations
- F24S10/753—Solar heat collectors using working fluids the working fluids being conveyed through tubular absorbing conduits with enlarged surfaces, e.g. with protrusions or corrugations the conduits being parallel to each other
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S20/00—Solar heat collectors specially adapted for particular uses or environments
- F24S20/20—Solar heat collectors for receiving concentrated solar energy, e.g. receivers for solar power plants
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S23/00—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors
- F24S23/70—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors with reflectors
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S70/00—Details of absorbing elements
- F24S70/20—Details of absorbing elements characterised by absorbing coatings; characterised by surface treatment for increasing absorption
- F24S70/225—Details of absorbing elements characterised by absorbing coatings; characterised by surface treatment for increasing absorption for spectrally selective absorption
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S23/00—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors
- F24S23/70—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors with reflectors
- F24S2023/87—Reflectors layout
- F24S2023/872—Assemblies of spaced reflective elements on common support, e.g. Fresnel reflectors
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S30/00—Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules
- F24S2030/10—Special components
- F24S2030/13—Transmissions
- F24S2030/133—Transmissions in the form of flexible elements, e.g. belts, chains, ropes
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S30/00—Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules
- F24S2030/10—Special components
- F24S2030/13—Transmissions
- F24S2030/134—Transmissions in the form of gearings or rack-and-pinion transmissions
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/40—Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/40—Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
- Y02E10/44—Heat exchange systems
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/40—Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
- Y02E10/47—Mountings or tracking
Definitions
- This invention relates to a solar energy collector system having linear reflectors, and in which relatively close spacing of at least some of the reflectors is facilitated by the positioning of all of the reflectors such that they extend generally in an east-west direction.
- LFR Linear Fresnel Reflector
- Solar energy collector systems of the type referred to as Linear Fresnel Reflector (“LFR”) systems are relatively well known and are constituted by a field of linear reflectors that are arrayed in parallel rows and are orientated to reflect incident solar radiation to a common elevated receiver.
- the receiver is illuminated by the reflected radiation, for energy exchange, and the receiver typically extends parallel to the rows of reflectors.
- the receiver normally (but not necessarily) is positioned between two adjacent fields of reflectors; and n spaced-apart receivers may be illuminated by reflections from (n+1) or, alternatively, (n ⁇ 1) reflector fields, in some circumstances with any one receiver being illuminated by reflected radiation from two adjacent reflector fields.
- the respective rows of reflectors are typically positioned to extend linearly in a north-south direction and the reflectors are pivotally mounted and driven to track east-west procession (i.e., apparent movement) of the sun during successive diurnal periods.
- east-west procession i.e., apparent movement
- a 1979 project design study (Ref Di Canio et al; Final Report 1977-79 DOE/ET/20426-1) proposed an east-west-extending LFR system.
- the present invention provides in some variations a solar energy collector system comprising an elevated receiver and ground level reflector fields located generally to the equatorial and polar sides of the receiver, with each reflector field comprising reflectors which are positioned linearly in parallel rows which extend generally in an east-west direction.
- the reflectors in both fields are arranged and positioned to reflect incident solar radiation to the receiver during diurnal east-west processing of the sun, and are pivotally driven to maintain reflection of the incident solar radiation to the receiver during cyclic diurnal north-south processing of the sun.
- the reflector rows extending “generally” in an east-west direction, it is meant that the reflector rows lie orthogonal to the earth's magnetic axis within a tolerance of ⁇ 45°.
- the reflector fields being located “generally” to the equatorial and polar sides of the receiver, it is meant that the reflector fields have a common axis that aligns with the earth's magnetic axis within a tolerance of ⁇ 45°.
- the reflectors to the equatorial side of the receiver will, during most of the year, be disposed at an angle to the horizontal that is substantially more acute (i.e., smaller) than that of the reflectors that are positioned at the polar side of the receiver.
- the inter-reflector spacing provided at the equatorial side may be smaller than at the polar side. This leads to improved ground coverage and reflectors that are, on average, closer to the receiver, this in turn providing for a smaller image and less spillage.
- the invention provides for (north-south) asymmetrical inter-reflector spacing and, consequentially, for efficient solar collection and enhanced ground coverage.
- a reflector-to-ground area ratio of almost 80% may be achieved without the occurrence of serious shading and blockage, as compared with the 70% figure applicable to prior art systems.
- the receiver may have a substantially horizontal aperture.
- the receiver has a substantially horizontal aperture closed with a cover that is substantially transparent to solar radiation. This arrangement provides for convection suppression with the air behind the cover being maintained in a stagnant state. Stagnant air is an excellent insulator and the described arrangement provides for efficient performance without there being a need for expensive vacuum-insulated absorbers.
- two or more receivers may be sited within a single energy collection system comprising multiple reflector fields.
- the receiver(s) may take any desired form, depending upon the nature of energy exchange required from the reflected solar radiation. In the case of a requirement for heat energy exchange between the reflected solar radiation and a working fluid such as water, the receiver might typically comprise a system as disclosed in International Patent Application PCT/AU2005/000208, filed 17 Feb. 2005 by the present Applicant.
- the reflectors also may take any desired form but might typically comprise units as disclosed in International Patent Applications PCT/AU2004/000883 and PCT/AU2004/000884, filed 1 Jul. 2004 by the present Applicant.
- FIG. 1 shows in a schematic way a prior art solar collector system having a single receiver and reflector fields located to the east and west of the receiver.
- FIG. 2 shows, again in a schematic way, a portion of a Linear Fresnel Reflector (“LFR”) solar collector system in accordance with one variation of the present invention, the system having a single receiver and reflector fields located to the north and south of the receiver.
- LFR Linear Fresnel Reflector
- FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of the LFR system of FIG. 2 as viewed in the direction of Arrow 3 as shown in FIG. 2 .
- FIG. 4 shows a more detailed representation of an example LFR system of the type shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 but with two receivers.
- FIGS. 5A-5C show schematic representations of an example receiver structure, with FIG. 5C showing a portion of the receiver structure which is encircled by circle A in FIG. 5B .
- FIGS. 6A-6D show example fluid flow arrangements through a receiver.
- FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a reflector according to one variation.
- FIG. 8 shows on an enlarged scale a portion of a mounting arrangement for a reflector.
- FIG. 9 shows on an enlarged scale a portion of a reflector and a drive system for the reflector according to one variation.
- LFR solar collector
- FIG. 1 This system comprises two fields 10 and 11 of ground-mounted linear reflectors 12 that extend linearly in parallel rows and are orientated to reflect incident solar radiation to a common (i.e., shared) elevated receiver 13 .
- the receiver is illuminated by the reflected solar radiation to effect energy exchange with, for example, fluid that is channelled through the receiver, and the receiver 13 extends parallel to the rows of reflectors 12 .
- the rows of reflectors 12 in both of the fields 10 and 11 extend linearly in a north-south direction and all of the reflectors are pivotally mounted and are driven through an angle approaching 90° whilst tracking east-west procession of the sun (as indicated by the direction of arrow 14 ) during successive diurnal periods.
- the two receiver fields 10 and 11 are symmetrically disposed to the east and west of the receiver 13 , and adjacent rows of the reflectors 12 are spaced-apart by a predetermined distance, depending upon their distance from the receiver 13 , in order to avoid shading of one reflector by another and consequential blockage of either incident or reflected radiation. As indicated previously, this spacing requirement of the prior art system limits ground utilization and diminishes system performance due to exacerbated spillage at the receiver of radiation from distant reflectors.
- An example LFR system in accordance with the present invention shown schematically in FIGS. 2 and 3 , comprises an elevated receiver 15 that is positioned between two ground level reflector fields 16 and 17 .
- One of the fields 16 is located to the equatorial side of the receiver (i.e., to the southern side S in the case of a northern hemisphere system) and the other field 17 is located to the polar side of the receiver 15 (i.e., to the northern side N in the case of a northern hemisphere system).
- the respective reflector fields 16 and 17 comprise reflectors 18 a and 19 a which are positioned linearly in parallel rows and, in contrast with the prior art system as illustrated in FIG. 1 , the rows of reflectors 18 a and 19 a extend generally in an east-west direction.
- the reflectors 18 a and 19 a are arranged and positioned to reflect incident solar radiation to the receiver 15 during diurnal east-west processing of the sun in the direction indicated by arrow 20 ( FIG. 3 ). Additionally, the reflectors 18 a and 19 a are pivotally driven to maintain reflection of the incident solar radiation to the receiver 15 during cyclic diurnal north-south processing of the sun in the (inclining and declining) directions indicated by arrow 21 ( FIG. 2 ).
- the total pivotal movement imparted to the reflectors 18 a and 19 a is less than 45° during each diurnal period. Consequently, in the case of the embodiment of the system that is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the reflectors 18 a (i.e., those located to the equatorial side of the receiver) will at all times be disposed at an angle to the horizontal that is substantially more acute than that of the reflectors 19 a that are positioned at the polar side of the receiver.
- the potential for shading of reflectors at the equatorial side of the receiver will be small relative to that applicable to the reflectors at the polar side.
- This permits close spacing of the equatorial side reflector rows and, thus, results in a reduction in the total field area relative to that required for the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 1 .
- the resultant close-packed reflectors can be located closer to the receiver than in the case of the prior art system illustrated in FIG. 1 , thus decreasing image size and reducing radiation spillage.
- another example LFR system of the type shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 comprises notionally separate fields 16 and 17 of ground mounted reflectors 18 a and 19 a that are aligned (and, e.g., interconnected) in parallel rows 18 , 19 that extend generally in the east-west direction.
- this example LFR system comprises two parallel receivers 15 , each of which is constituted by aligned (and, e.g., interconnected) receiver structures 15 a .
- a complete LFR system might occupy a ground area within the range 5 ⁇ 10 m 2 to 25 ⁇ 10 6 m 2 and the complete system as illustrated in FIG. 4 may be considered as a portion only of a larger LFR system.
- the reflectors 18 a and 19 a may be driven collectively or regionally, as rows or individually, to track procession of the sun and they are orientated to reflect incident radiation to respective ones of the receivers 15 , in the manner described previously with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 .
- each receiver 15 receives reflected radiation from twelve rows of reflectors 18 a and 19 a .
- each receiver 15 is illuminated by reflected radiation from six rows of reflectors 18 a at one side of the receiver and from six rows of reflectors 19 a at the other side.
- Each row of the reflectors 18 a and 19 a and, hence, each receiver 15 might typically have an overall length of 300 to 600 metres, and the parallel, east-west extending receivers 15 might typically be spaced apart by 30 to 35 metres.
- the receivers 15 are supported, for example, at a height of approximately 11 metres by stanchions 22 which are stayed by ground-anchored guy wires 23 .
- each of the receivers 15 comprises a plurality of receiver structure 15 a that are connected together co-linearly.
- the receiver structures 15 a might have, for example, a length of the order of 12 metres and an overall width of the order of 1.4 meters.
- the receivers 15 may be, for example, of the type described in the previously mentioned International Patent Application numbered PCT/AU2005/000208, and the disclosure of that Patent Application is incorporated herein by reference.
- each receiver structure 15 a comprises an inverted trough 24 which might typically be formed from stainless steel sheeting and which, as best seen in FIG. 5B , has a longitudinally extending channel portion 26 and flared side walls 27 that, at their margins, define an aperture of the inverted trough through which solar radiation incident from the reflectors may enter the trough.
- the trough 24 is supported and provided with structural integrity by side rails 28 and transverse bridging members 29 , and the trough is surmounted by a corrugated steel roof 30 that is carried by arched structural members 31 .
- the void between the trough 24 and the roof 30 is filled with a thermal insulating material 32 , typically a glass wool material, and desirably with an insulating material that is clad with a reflective metal layer.
- the function of the insulating material and the reflective metal layer is to inhibit upward conduction and radiation of heat from within the trough.
- a longitudinally extending window 25 is provided to interconnect the side walls 27 of the trough.
- the window is formed from a sheet of material that is substantially transparent to solar radiation and it functions to define a closed (heat retaining) longitudinally extending cavity 33 within the trough.
- Window 25 may be formed from glass, for example.
- absorber tubes 34 are provided for carrying heat exchange fluid (typically water or, following heat absorption, water-steam or steam).
- heat exchange fluid typically water or, following heat absorption, water-steam or steam.
- the actual number of absorber tubes may be varied to suit specific system requirements, provided that each absorber tube has a diameter that is small relative to the dimension of the trough aperture between the side walls 28 of the trough, and the receiver structure might typically have between six and thirty absorber tubes 34 supported side-by side within the trough.
- the actual ratio of the absorber tube diameter to the trough aperture dimension may be varied to meet system requirements but, in order to indicate an order of magnitude of the ratio, it might typically be within the range 0.01:1.00 to 0.10:1.00.
- Each absorber tube 34 might have an outside diameter, for example, of 33 mm. With an aperture dimension of, for example, 1100 mm, the ratio of the absorber tube diameter to the aperture dimension would be 0.03:1.00.
- the plurality of absorber tubes 34 will effectively simulate a flat plate absorber, as compared with a single-tube collector in a concentrating trough. This provides for increased operating efficiency, in terms of a reduced level of heat emission from the upper, non-illuminated circumferential portion of the absorber tubes. Moreover, by positioning the absorber tubes in the inverted trough in the manner described, the underside portion only of each of the absorber tubes is illuminated with incident radiation, this providing for efficient heat absorption in absorber tubes that carry steam above water.
- the absorber tubes 34 are freely supported by a series of parallel support tubes 35 which extend orthogonally between side walls 36 of the channel portion 26 of the inverted trough, and the support tubes 35 may be carried for rotational movement by spigots 37 .
- This arrangement accommodates expansion of the absorber tubes and relative expansion of the individual tubes.
- Disk-shaped spacers 38 are carried by the support tubes 35 and serve to maintain the absorber tubes 34 in spaced relationship.
- Each of the absorber tubes 34 may be coated with a solar absorptive coating.
- the coating may comprise, for example, a solar spectrally selective surface coating that remains stable under high temperature conditions in ambient air or, for example, a black paint that is stable in air under high-temperature conditions.
- FIG. 6A of the drawings shows diagrammatically one example flow control arrangement for controlling flow of heat exchange fluid into and through four in-line receiver structures 15 a of a receiver. As illustrated, each of the fluid lines 34 A, B, C and D is representative of four of the absorber tubes 34 as shown in FIGS. 5A-5C .
- in-flowing heat exchange fluid is first directed along forward line 34 A, along return line 34 B, along forward line 34 C and finally along and from return line 34 D.
- An electrically actuated control device 39 may be provided to enable selective control over the channelling of the heat exchange fluid in some variations.
- Alternative fluid flow conditions may be established to meet load demands and/or prevailing ambient conditions, and provision may effectively be made for a variable aperture receiver structure by closing selected ones of the absorber tubes.
- variation of the effective absorption aperture of each receiver structure and, hence, of a complete receiver may be achieved by controlling the channelling of the heat exchange fluid in the alternative manners shown in FIGS. 6B to 6D .
- the reflector fields 16 and 17 be formed with substantially equidistant extents at each side of the receiver 15 in order to avoid surface reflection from the window 25 .
- the optimum arrangement may have an equal number of reflectors on either side of the receiver, but where the individual reflectors are small relative to the receiver it may be possible to pack more of them on the equatorial side of the receiver than on the polar side, so that some reflector field ground area difference may occur.
- the reflectors 18 a and 19 a may be, for example, of the type described in the previously mentioned International Patent Applications numbered PCT/AU2004/000883 and PCT/AU2004/000884, and the disclosures of those Patent Applications are incorporated herein by reference.
- a reflector (e.g., 18 a, 19 a ) comprises a carrier structure 40 to which a reflector element 41 is mounted.
- the carrier structure itself comprises an elongated panel-like platform 42 which is supported by a skeletal frame structure 43 .
- the frame structure includes two hoop-like end members 44 .
- the members 44 are cantered on and extend about an axis of rotation that is approximately coincident with a central, longitudinally-extending axis of the reflector element 41 .
- the axis of rotation does not need to be exactly coincident with the longitudinal axis of the reflector element but the two axes desirably are at least adjacent one another.
- the platform 42 is, for example, approximately twelve meters long and the end members 14 are approximately two meters in diameter.
- the platform 42 comprises a corrugated metal panel and the reflector element 41 is supported upon the crests of the corrugations.
- the corrugations extend parallel to the direction of the longitudinal axis of the reflector element 41 , and the platform 42 is carried by, for example, six transverse frame members 45 of the skeletal frame structure 43 . End ones of the transverse frame members 45 effectively comprise diametral members of the hoop-like end members 44 .
- the transverse frame members 45 comprise rectangular hollow section steel members and each of them is formed with a curve so that, when the platform 42 is secured to the frame members 45 , the platform is caused to curve concavely (as viewed from above in FIG. 7 ) in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the reflector element 41 .
- the same curvature is imparted to the reflector element 41 when it is secured to the platform 42 .
- the radius of curvature of the transverse frame members 45 is, for example, in the range of twenty to fifty meters and preferably of the order of thirty-eight meters.
- the skeletal frame 43 of the carrier structure 40 also comprises a rectangular hollow section steel spine member 46 which interconnects the end members 44 , and a space frame which is fabricated from tubular steel struts 47 connects opposite end regions of each of the transverse frame members 45 to the spine member 46 .
- This skeletal frame arrangement, together with the corrugated structure of the platform 42 provides the composite carrier structure 41 with a high degree of torsional stiffness.
- the hoop-like end members 44 are formed from channel section steel, for example, such that each end member is provided with a U-shaped circumferential portion and, as shown in FIG. 8 , each of the members 44 is supported for rotation on a mounting arrangement that comprises two spaced-apart rollers 48 .
- the rollers 48 are positioned to track within the channel section of the respective end members 44 , and the rollers 48 provide for turning (i.e., rotation) of the carrier structure 40 about the axis of rotation that is approximately coincident with the longitudinal axis of the reflector element 41 .
- a hold-down roller 48 a is located adjacent the support rollers 48 and is positioned within the associated end member 44 to prevent lifting of the reflector under adverse weather conditions.
- a drive system as shown in FIG. 9 , is provided for imparting drive to the carrier structure 40 and, hence, to the reflector element 41 .
- the drive system comprises, for example, an electric motor 49 having an output shaft coupled to a sprocket 50 by way of reduction gearing 51 .
- the sprocket 50 meshes with a link chain 52 through which drive is directed to the carrier structure 40 .
- the link chain 52 extends around and is fixed to the periphery of the outer wall 53 of the channel-section of one of the end member 44 . That is, the link chain 52 affixed to the end member effectively forms a type of gear wheel with which the sprocket 50 engages.
- reduction gearing and torque amplification in the order of (40.r):1 may be obtained, where r is the reduction obtained through gearing at the output of the electric motor 49 .
- the reflector element 41 is formed, for example, by butting together five glass mirrors, each of which has the dimensions, for example, of 1.8 m ⁇ 2.4 m.
- a silicone sealant may be employed to seal gaps around and between the mirrors and to minimize the possibility for atmospheric damage to the rear silvered faces of the mirrors.
- the mirrors may be secured to the crests of the platform 12 by a urethane adhesive, for example.
- the mirrors have a thickness of 0.003 m and, thus, they may readily be curved in situ to match the curvature of the supporting platform 42 .
- two or more of the above described reflectors may be positioned linearly in a row and be connected one to another by way of adjacent ones of the hoop-like end members 44 .
- a single drive system may be employed for imparting drive to multiple reflectors.
Abstract
Description
- This application claims the benefit of priority to Australian Provisional Patent Application 2006904628, filed 25 Aug. 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
- This invention relates to a solar energy collector system having linear reflectors, and in which relatively close spacing of at least some of the reflectors is facilitated by the positioning of all of the reflectors such that they extend generally in an east-west direction.
- Solar energy collector systems of the type referred to as Linear Fresnel Reflector (“LFR”) systems are relatively well known and are constituted by a field of linear reflectors that are arrayed in parallel rows and are orientated to reflect incident solar radiation to a common elevated receiver. The receiver is illuminated by the reflected radiation, for energy exchange, and the receiver typically extends parallel to the rows of reflectors. Also, the receiver normally (but not necessarily) is positioned between two adjacent fields of reflectors; and n spaced-apart receivers may be illuminated by reflections from (n+1) or, alternatively, (n−1) reflector fields, in some circumstances with any one receiver being illuminated by reflected radiation from two adjacent reflector fields.
- In most known LFR system implementations the respective rows of reflectors are typically positioned to extend linearly in a north-south direction and the reflectors are pivotally mounted and driven to track east-west procession (i.e., apparent movement) of the sun during successive diurnal periods. This requires that adjacent rows of reflectors be spaced-apart by a predetermined distance, depending upon their distance from the associated receivers, in order to avoid shading or blocking of one reflector by another and, thus, in order to optimise reflection of incident radiation. This limits ground utilization to approximately 70% and diminishes system performance due to exacerbated spillage at the receiver of radiation from distant reflectors. As an alternative approach, a 1979 project design study (Ref Di Canio et al; Final Report 1977-79 DOE/ET/20426-1) proposed an east-west-extending LFR system.
- The present invention provides in some variations a solar energy collector system comprising an elevated receiver and ground level reflector fields located generally to the equatorial and polar sides of the receiver, with each reflector field comprising reflectors which are positioned linearly in parallel rows which extend generally in an east-west direction. The reflectors in both fields are arranged and positioned to reflect incident solar radiation to the receiver during diurnal east-west processing of the sun, and are pivotally driven to maintain reflection of the incident solar radiation to the receiver during cyclic diurnal north-south processing of the sun.
- In referring above to the reflector rows extending “generally” in an east-west direction, it is meant that the reflector rows lie orthogonal to the earth's magnetic axis within a tolerance of ±45°. Similarly, in referring to the reflector fields being located “generally” to the equatorial and polar sides of the receiver, it is meant that the reflector fields have a common axis that aligns with the earth's magnetic axis within a tolerance of ±45°.
- With the above defined arrangement of, and drive applied to, the reflectors, the reflectors to the equatorial side of the receiver will, during most of the year, be disposed at an angle to the horizontal that is substantially more acute (i.e., smaller) than that of the reflectors that are positioned at the polar side of the receiver. Also, the inter-reflector spacing provided at the equatorial side may be smaller than at the polar side. This leads to improved ground coverage and reflectors that are, on average, closer to the receiver, this in turn providing for a smaller image and less spillage. Thus, the invention provides for (north-south) asymmetrical inter-reflector spacing and, consequentially, for efficient solar collection and enhanced ground coverage. A reflector-to-ground area ratio of almost 80% may be achieved without the occurrence of serious shading and blockage, as compared with the 70% figure applicable to prior art systems.
- The receiver may have a substantially horizontal aperture. In some variations, the receiver has a substantially horizontal aperture closed with a cover that is substantially transparent to solar radiation. This arrangement provides for convection suppression with the air behind the cover being maintained in a stagnant state. Stagnant air is an excellent insulator and the described arrangement provides for efficient performance without there being a need for expensive vacuum-insulated absorbers.
- As a further optional aspect of the invention, two or more receivers may be sited within a single energy collection system comprising multiple reflector fields.
- The receiver(s) may take any desired form, depending upon the nature of energy exchange required from the reflected solar radiation. In the case of a requirement for heat energy exchange between the reflected solar radiation and a working fluid such as water, the receiver might typically comprise a system as disclosed in International Patent Application PCT/AU2005/000208, filed 17 Feb. 2005 by the present Applicant. The reflectors also may take any desired form but might typically comprise units as disclosed in International Patent Applications PCT/AU2004/000883 and PCT/AU2004/000884, filed 1 Jul. 2004 by the present Applicant.
- The invention will be more fully understood from the following description of illustrative examples of solar energy collector systems, the description being provided with reference to the accompanying drawings.
-
FIG. 1 shows in a schematic way a prior art solar collector system having a single receiver and reflector fields located to the east and west of the receiver. -
FIG. 2 shows, again in a schematic way, a portion of a Linear Fresnel Reflector (“LFR”) solar collector system in accordance with one variation of the present invention, the system having a single receiver and reflector fields located to the north and south of the receiver. -
FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of the LFR system ofFIG. 2 as viewed in the direction ofArrow 3 as shown inFIG. 2 . -
FIG. 4 shows a more detailed representation of an example LFR system of the type shown inFIGS. 2 and 3 but with two receivers. -
FIGS. 5A-5C show schematic representations of an example receiver structure, withFIG. 5C showing a portion of the receiver structure which is encircled by circle A inFIG. 5B . -
FIGS. 6A-6D show example fluid flow arrangements through a receiver. -
FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a reflector according to one variation. -
FIG. 8 shows on an enlarged scale a portion of a mounting arrangement for a reflector. -
FIG. 9 shows on an enlarged scale a portion of a reflector and a drive system for the reflector according to one variation. - Reference is made firstly to the prior art LFR (solar collector) system as shown schematically in
FIG. 1 . This system comprises twofields linear reflectors 12 that extend linearly in parallel rows and are orientated to reflect incident solar radiation to a common (i.e., shared) elevatedreceiver 13. The receiver is illuminated by the reflected solar radiation to effect energy exchange with, for example, fluid that is channelled through the receiver, and thereceiver 13 extends parallel to the rows ofreflectors 12. - The rows of
reflectors 12 in both of thefields receiver fields receiver 13, and adjacent rows of thereflectors 12 are spaced-apart by a predetermined distance, depending upon their distance from thereceiver 13, in order to avoid shading of one reflector by another and consequential blockage of either incident or reflected radiation. As indicated previously, this spacing requirement of the prior art system limits ground utilization and diminishes system performance due to exacerbated spillage at the receiver of radiation from distant reflectors. - An example LFR system in accordance with the present invention, shown schematically in
FIGS. 2 and 3 , comprises anelevated receiver 15 that is positioned between two groundlevel reflector fields fields 16 is located to the equatorial side of the receiver (i.e., to the southern side S in the case of a northern hemisphere system) and theother field 17 is located to the polar side of the receiver 15 (i.e., to the northern side N in the case of a northern hemisphere system). Therespective reflector fields reflectors FIG. 1 , the rows ofreflectors - The
reflectors receiver 15 during diurnal east-west processing of the sun in the direction indicated by arrow 20 (FIG. 3 ). Additionally, thereflectors receiver 15 during cyclic diurnal north-south processing of the sun in the (inclining and declining) directions indicated by arrow 21 (FIG. 2 ). However, having regard to the fact that the diurnal sun processes through an angle less than 90° in the north-south direction, as compared with an angle approaching 180° in the east-west direction, the total pivotal movement imparted to thereflectors FIGS. 2 and 3 , thereflectors 18 a (i.e., those located to the equatorial side of the receiver) will at all times be disposed at an angle to the horizontal that is substantially more acute than that of thereflectors 19 a that are positioned at the polar side of the receiver. Hence, the potential for shading of reflectors at the equatorial side of the receiver will be small relative to that applicable to the reflectors at the polar side. This, as previously mentioned, permits close spacing of the equatorial side reflector rows and, thus, results in a reduction in the total field area relative to that required for the arrangement illustrated inFIG. 1 . Also, because of the close-to-horizontal disposition of thereflectors 18 a at the equatorial side of the receiver, the resultant close-packed reflectors can be located closer to the receiver than in the case of the prior art system illustrated inFIG. 1 , thus decreasing image size and reducing radiation spillage. - As shown in more detail in
FIG. 4 , another example LFR system of the type shown inFIGS. 2 and 3 comprises notionallyseparate fields reflectors parallel rows parallel receivers 15, each of which is constituted by aligned (and, e.g., interconnected)receiver structures 15 a. A complete LFR system might occupy a ground area within the range 5×10 m2 to 25×106 m2 and the complete system as illustrated inFIG. 4 may be considered as a portion only of a larger LFR system. - The
reflectors receivers 15, in the manner described previously with reference toFIGS. 2 and 3 . - In the example system illustrated in
FIG. 4 , eachreceiver 15 receives reflected radiation from twelve rows ofreflectors receiver 15 is illuminated by reflected radiation from six rows ofreflectors 18 a at one side of the receiver and from six rows ofreflectors 19 a at the other side. Each row of thereflectors receiver 15 might typically have an overall length of 300 to 600 metres, and the parallel, east-west extending receivers 15 might typically be spaced apart by 30 to 35 metres. Thereceivers 15 are supported, for example, at a height of approximately 11 metres bystanchions 22 which are stayed by ground-anchoredguy wires 23. In the example ofFIG. 4 , each of thereceivers 15 comprises a plurality ofreceiver structure 15 a that are connected together co-linearly. Thereceiver structures 15 a might have, for example, a length of the order of 12 metres and an overall width of the order of 1.4 meters. - The
receivers 15 may be, for example, of the type described in the previously mentioned International Patent Application numbered PCT/AU2005/000208, and the disclosure of that Patent Application is incorporated herein by reference. - Referring to
FIGS. 5A-5C , in some variations eachreceiver structure 15 a comprises aninverted trough 24 which might typically be formed from stainless steel sheeting and which, as best seen inFIG. 5B , has a longitudinally extendingchannel portion 26 and flaredside walls 27 that, at their margins, define an aperture of the inverted trough through which solar radiation incident from the reflectors may enter the trough. In the illustrated variation, thetrough 24 is supported and provided with structural integrity byside rails 28 andtransverse bridging members 29, and the trough is surmounted by acorrugated steel roof 30 that is carried by archedstructural members 31. - In the illustrated variation, the void between the
trough 24 and theroof 30 is filled with a thermal insulating material 32, typically a glass wool material, and desirably with an insulating material that is clad with a reflective metal layer. The function of the insulating material and the reflective metal layer is to inhibit upward conduction and radiation of heat from within the trough. - A
longitudinally extending window 25 is provided to interconnect theside walls 27 of the trough. The window is formed from a sheet of material that is substantially transparent to solar radiation and it functions to define a closed (heat retaining) longitudinally extending cavity 33 within the trough.Window 25 may be formed from glass, for example. - In the receiver structure as illustrated, longitudinally extending (e.g., stainless steel)
absorber tubes 34 are provided for carrying heat exchange fluid (typically water or, following heat absorption, water-steam or steam). The actual number of absorber tubes may be varied to suit specific system requirements, provided that each absorber tube has a diameter that is small relative to the dimension of the trough aperture between theside walls 28 of the trough, and the receiver structure might typically have between six and thirtyabsorber tubes 34 supported side-by side within the trough. - The actual ratio of the absorber tube diameter to the trough aperture dimension may be varied to meet system requirements but, in order to indicate an order of magnitude of the ratio, it might typically be within the range 0.01:1.00 to 0.10:1.00. Each
absorber tube 34 might have an outside diameter, for example, of 33 mm. With an aperture dimension of, for example, 1100 mm, the ratio of the absorber tube diameter to the aperture dimension would be 0.03:1.00. - With the above described arrangement the plurality of
absorber tubes 34 will effectively simulate a flat plate absorber, as compared with a single-tube collector in a concentrating trough. This provides for increased operating efficiency, in terms of a reduced level of heat emission from the upper, non-illuminated circumferential portion of the absorber tubes. Moreover, by positioning the absorber tubes in the inverted trough in the manner described, the underside portion only of each of the absorber tubes is illuminated with incident radiation, this providing for efficient heat absorption in absorber tubes that carry steam above water. - In the illustrated variation, the
absorber tubes 34 are freely supported by a series ofparallel support tubes 35 which extend orthogonally betweenside walls 36 of thechannel portion 26 of the inverted trough, and thesupport tubes 35 may be carried for rotational movement byspigots 37. This arrangement accommodates expansion of the absorber tubes and relative expansion of the individual tubes. Disk-shapedspacers 38 are carried by thesupport tubes 35 and serve to maintain theabsorber tubes 34 in spaced relationship. - Each of the
absorber tubes 34 may be coated with a solar absorptive coating. The coating may comprise, for example, a solar spectrally selective surface coating that remains stable under high temperature conditions in ambient air or, for example, a black paint that is stable in air under high-temperature conditions. - In some variations fluid flow through
absorber tubes 34 may be in parallel unidirectional streams. Other flow arrangements may also be used, however.FIG. 6A of the drawings shows diagrammatically one example flow control arrangement for controlling flow of heat exchange fluid into and through four in-line receiver structures 15 a of a receiver. As illustrated, each of thefluid lines 34A, B, C and D is representative of four of theabsorber tubes 34 as shown inFIGS. 5A-5C . - Under the controlled condition illustrated in
FIG. 6A , in-flowing heat exchange fluid is first directed alongforward line 34A, alongreturn line 34B, alongforward line 34C and finally along and fromreturn line 34D. This results in fluid at a lower temperature being directed through tubes that are located along the margins of the inverted trough and a consequential emission reduction when radiation is concentrated over the central region of the inverted trough. An electrically actuatedcontrol device 39 may be provided to enable selective control over the channelling of the heat exchange fluid in some variations. - Alternative fluid flow conditions may be established to meet load demands and/or prevailing ambient conditions, and provision may effectively be made for a variable aperture receiver structure by closing selected ones of the absorber tubes. Thus, variation of the effective absorption aperture of each receiver structure and, hence, of a complete receiver may be achieved by controlling the channelling of the heat exchange fluid in the alternative manners shown in
FIGS. 6B to 6D . - Referring again to FIGS. 4 and 5A-5C, in some variations in which the aperture of the
inverted trough 24 and, hence, thewindow 25 are positioned with a substantially horizontal disposition it may be advantageous that the reflector fields 16 and 17 be formed with substantially equidistant extents at each side of thereceiver 15 in order to avoid surface reflection from thewindow 25. Where individual reflectors are large relative to the receiver, the optimum arrangement may have an equal number of reflectors on either side of the receiver, but where the individual reflectors are small relative to the receiver it may be possible to pack more of them on the equatorial side of the receiver than on the polar side, so that some reflector field ground area difference may occur. - The
reflectors - Referring to
FIG. 7 , in some variations a reflector (e.g., 18 a, 19 a) comprises acarrier structure 40 to which areflector element 41 is mounted. The carrier structure itself comprises an elongated panel-like platform 42 which is supported by askeletal frame structure 43. The frame structure includes two hoop-like end members 44. - The
members 44 are cantered on and extend about an axis of rotation that is approximately coincident with a central, longitudinally-extending axis of thereflector element 41. The axis of rotation does not need to be exactly coincident with the longitudinal axis of the reflector element but the two axes desirably are at least adjacent one another. - In terms of overall dimensions of the reflector, the
platform 42 is, for example, approximately twelve meters long and theend members 14 are approximately two meters in diameter. - The
platform 42 comprises a corrugated metal panel and thereflector element 41 is supported upon the crests of the corrugations. The corrugations extend parallel to the direction of the longitudinal axis of thereflector element 41, and theplatform 42 is carried by, for example, sixtransverse frame members 45 of theskeletal frame structure 43. End ones of thetransverse frame members 45 effectively comprise diametral members of the hoop-like end members 44. - The
transverse frame members 45 comprise rectangular hollow section steel members and each of them is formed with a curve so that, when theplatform 42 is secured to theframe members 45, the platform is caused to curve concavely (as viewed from above inFIG. 7 ) in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of thereflector element 41. The same curvature is imparted to thereflector element 41 when it is secured to theplatform 42. - The radius of curvature of the
transverse frame members 45 is, for example, in the range of twenty to fifty meters and preferably of the order of thirty-eight meters. - The
skeletal frame 43 of thecarrier structure 40 also comprises a rectangular hollow sectionsteel spine member 46 which interconnects theend members 44, and a space frame which is fabricated from tubular steel struts 47 connects opposite end regions of each of thetransverse frame members 45 to thespine member 46. This skeletal frame arrangement, together with the corrugated structure of theplatform 42 provides thecomposite carrier structure 41 with a high degree of torsional stiffness. - The hoop-
like end members 44 are formed from channel section steel, for example, such that each end member is provided with a U-shaped circumferential portion and, as shown inFIG. 8 , each of themembers 44 is supported for rotation on a mounting arrangement that comprises two spaced-apartrollers 48. Therollers 48 are positioned to track within the channel section of therespective end members 44, and therollers 48 provide for turning (i.e., rotation) of thecarrier structure 40 about the axis of rotation that is approximately coincident with the longitudinal axis of thereflector element 41. - As also shown in
FIG. 8 , a hold-downroller 48 a is located adjacent thesupport rollers 48 and is positioned within the associatedend member 44 to prevent lifting of the reflector under adverse weather conditions. - A drive system, as shown in
FIG. 9 , is provided for imparting drive to thecarrier structure 40 and, hence, to thereflector element 41. The drive system comprises, for example, anelectric motor 49 having an output shaft coupled to asprocket 50 by way ofreduction gearing 51. Thesprocket 50 meshes with alink chain 52 through which drive is directed to thecarrier structure 40. - The
link chain 52 extends around and is fixed to the periphery of theouter wall 53 of the channel-section of one of theend member 44. That is, thelink chain 52 affixed to the end member effectively forms a type of gear wheel with which thesprocket 50 engages. - With, for example, the
end member 44 having a diameter in the order of 2.0 m and thesprocket 50 having a pitch circle diameter of 0.05 m, reduction gearing and torque amplification in the order of (40.r):1 may be obtained, where r is the reduction obtained through gearing at the output of theelectric motor 49. - The
reflector element 41 is formed, for example, by butting together five glass mirrors, each of which has the dimensions, for example, of 1.8 m×2.4 m. A silicone sealant may be employed to seal gaps around and between the mirrors and to minimize the possibility for atmospheric damage to the rear silvered faces of the mirrors. The mirrors may be secured to the crests of theplatform 12 by a urethane adhesive, for example. - In some variations, the mirrors have a thickness of 0.003 m and, thus, they may readily be curved in situ to match the curvature of the supporting
platform 42. - Depending upon requirements, two or more of the above described reflectors may be positioned linearly in a row and be connected one to another by way of adjacent ones of the hoop-
like end members 44. In such an arrangement a single drive system may be employed for imparting drive to multiple reflectors. - This disclosure is illustrative and not limiting. Further modifications will be apparent to one skilled in the art in light of this disclosure and are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (40)
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU2006904628 | 2006-08-25 | ||
AU2006904628A AU2006904628A0 (en) | 2006-08-25 | Energy Collector System having East-West Extending Linear Reflectors | |
PCT/AU2007/001232 WO2008022409A1 (en) | 2006-08-25 | 2007-08-27 | Energy collector system having east-west extending linear reflectors |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20100012112A1 true US20100012112A1 (en) | 2010-01-21 |
Family
ID=39106407
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/438,767 Abandoned US20100012112A1 (en) | 2006-08-25 | 2007-08-27 | Energy collector system having east-west extending linear reflectors |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20100012112A1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2007288137B2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2008022409A1 (en) |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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AU2007288137B2 (en) | 2012-11-15 |
AU2007288137A1 (en) | 2008-02-28 |
WO2008022409A1 (en) | 2008-02-28 |
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