Systems and methods for high temperature bulk solid storage and handling
| DWPI Title: Storage bin for storing particles e.g. high-temperature bulk solids, heated by concentrating solar power receiver in concentrating solar power system, has feed tube that extends from inlet into internal volume and comprises openings, which distribute particles from within feed to internal volume |
| Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that minimize erosion within a high-temperature storage bin by using particle-on-particle flow whereby flow against the wall is minimized thus protecting the walls from erosion. The flat bottom of the bin promotes a stagnant bed of particles around the outlet that provides thermal insulation and protection for the base. The systems and methods may be used for storing particles in a concentrating solar power system. |
| Use: Storage bin for storing particles e.g. high-temperature bulk solids, heated by a concentrating solar power receiver in a concentrating solar power system (claimed) used in high-temperature, high-efficiency electricity production. |
| Advantage: The storage bin has improved thermal-energy storage efficiency and reduced costs of the storage tanks. The panel has reduced abrasion and wear on the internal walls of storage tank through particle funnel flow, and has reduced wear from impingement of falling particles on the bottom of the tank. The storage bin minimizes erosion within a high-temperature storage bin by using particle-on-particle flow whereby flow against the wall is minimized thus protecting the walls from erosion. The flat bottom of the bin promotes a stagnant bed of particles around the outlet that provides thermal insulation and protection for the base. The wall normal force i.e. hydrostatic pressure, is a function of the hydraulic diameter of the storage bin in addition to the height in bulk solids handling, which is fundamentally different from liquids, so that the optimal design for minimizing heat loss as well as structural requirements for mechanical stress at increasing capacity scales is determined. |
| Novelty: The storage bin (100) has a shell (102) and a base that define an internal volume, where the shell comprises a bin inlet and the base comprising a bin outlet (132). The shell comprises an outer shell (120) and an insulative layer (122) between the outer shell and the internal volume. The base includes an internal surface facing the internal volume that is within 10° of horizontal when the storage bin is operational. The bin inlet is connected to a particle feed that provides particles (104A) heated by the concentrating solar power receiver to the internal volume. The internal volume is accessible only by the bin inlet and the bin outlet. A feed tube (150) extends from the inlet into the internal volume. The feed tube comprises an end cap opposite the inlet that prevents particles falling through the feed tube from directly impacting the base. The feed tube comprises multiple openings (156) that distribute particles from within the feed to the internal volume. |
| Filed: 5/18/2020 |
| Application Number: US16876450A |
| Tech ID: SD 14968.1 |
| 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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