Suction-recirculation device for stabilizing particle flows within a solar powered solid particle receiver
| DWPI Title: Suction-recirculation device for stabilizing e.g. curtain of blackened heat absorption particles flows, within solar powered solid particle receiver, has suction-recirculation loop comprising suction fan and ducting |
| Abstract: A suction-recirculation device for stabilizing the flow of a curtain of blackened heat absorption particles falling inside of a solar receiver with an open aperture. The curtain of particles absorbs the concentrated heat from a solar mirror array reflected up to the receiver on a solar power tower. External winds entering the receiver at an oblique angle can destabilize the particle curtain and eject particles. A fan and ductwork is located behind the back wall of the receiver and sucks air out through an array of small holes in the back wall. Any entrained particles are separated out by a conventional cyclone device. Then, the air is recirculated back to the top of the receiver by injecting the recycled air through an array of small holes in the receiver's ceiling and upper aperture front wall. Since internal air is recirculated, heat losses are minimized and high receiver efficiency is maintained. Suction-recirculation velocities in the range of 1-5 m/s are sufficient to stabilize the particle curtain against external wind speeds in excess of 10 m/s. |
| Use: Suction-recirculation device for stabilizing particle flows e.g. curtain of blackened heat absorption particles flows, within a solar powered solid particle receiver against external winds blowing at oblique angle in a solar power tower. |
| Advantage: The suction-recirculation loop comprising the suction fan and ducting provided for sucking air out of an insulated receiver box through the first array of holes in the back wall and for recirculating and reintroducing the air back into the box through the second array of holes in the ceiling. The recirculating air flow creates sweeping air flow inside the box so as to stabilize particle curtain from disruption by external winds blowing into the box at oblique angle. The device is designed such that the air is recirculated back to the top of the receiver by injecting the recycled air through the small holes in the receiver's ceiling and an upper aperture front wall and the internal air is recirculated, so that the heat losses are minimized and high receiver efficiency is maintained. The device is designed such that suction-recirculation velocities in the range of 1-5 m/s are sufficient to stabilize the particle curtain against external wind speeds in excess of 10 m/s. |
| Novelty: The device (50) has a suction-recirculation loop (38) comprising a suction fan (34) and ducting (32) provided for sucking air out of a insulated receiver box (12) through a first array of holes (30) in a back wall and for recirculating and reintroducing the air back into the box through a second array of holes (42) in a top surface ceiling (22). Recirculating air flow creates a sweeping air flow inside the box. A cyclone separator (36) is arranged downstream/upstream of the suction fan. A third array of holes perforates an upper aperture front wall section (24). |
| Filed: 2/10/2009 |
| Application Number: US2009368327A |
| Tech ID: SD 10824.0 |
| 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. |
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