Solar receivers and methods for capturing solar energy
| DWPI Title: Capturing method of concentrated solar energy, involves absorbing another portion of concentrated solar energy passing through photovoltaic receiver into heat absorbing bodies, and heating air passing over heat absorbing bodies |
| Abstract: Thermal receivers, systems, and methods are disclosed that efficiently capture concentrated solar energy into a plurality of heat absorption bodies for conversion into thermal energy. In an embodiment, the thermal receivers, systems, and methods enable simultaneous electricity conversion and thermal energy capture. The receiver design enables a high penetration of concentrated sunlight deep into the thermal receiver to increase light trapping and reduce thermal losses. The thermal receiver is integrated with a photovoltaic (PV) receiver platform that converts some of the incident light to electricity while passing the remaining light to the thermal receiver. In another embodiment, other thermal receivers, systems, and methods are disclosed that efficiently capture concentrated solar energy into a sheet of falling particles. In an embodiment, the thermal receivers, systems, and methods enable simultaneous electricity conversion and thermal energy capture. |
| Use: Capturing method of concentrated solar energy used for solar thermal system. |
| Advantage: Allows a greater penetration of the solar irradiance, and reduces the radiative heat loss near the aperture. Enables cooling of the photovoltaic (PV) system for higher efficiency operation and preheating of the air before entering the volumetric receiver by the integration of a volumetric air receiver and a PV system. |
| Novelty: The method involves illuminating a photovoltaic receiver with concentrated solar energy, capturing a portion of the concentrated solar energy with the photovoltaic receiver to generate electricity, absorbing another portion of the concentrated solar energy passing through the photovoltaic receiver into the heat absorbing bodies, and heating air passing over the heat absorbing bodies. The air passes through openings in the photovoltaic receiver before being heated by the heat absorbing bodies. A secondary fluid is heated with the heat absorbing bodies of the heat absorbing bodies. |
| Filed: 6/12/2019 |
| Application Number: US16438604A |
| Tech ID: SD 12949.2 |
| This invention was made with Government support under Contract No. DE-NA0003525 awarded by the United States Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration. The Government has certain rights in the invention. |
| Data from Derwent World Patents Index, provided by Clarivate All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Clarivate content, including by framing or similar means, is prohibited without the prior written consent of Clarivate. Clarivate and its logo, as well as all other trademarks used herein are trademarks of their respective owners and used under license. |