Solar receiver system

-1- 210862/2

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to solar energy systems and more particularly to solar energy systems with solar receivers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 5 Turbines are commonly used to produce electrical power. Typically, a working fluid, such as air, steam or any other gas, is compressed and heated before being supplied to the turbine, wherein the working fluid is expanded and some of the energy content of hot, compressed working fluid is converted to mechanical motion which is then converted to electricity by use of a generator. 10 In solar energy systems one device known in the art for heating the working fluid prior to entering the turbine is a solar receiver. Such a receiver utilizes solar radiation which impinges upon a solar radiation absorber within the solar receiver. The working fluid is heated by the absorber, and thereafter the working fluid transfers the heat via the turbine for producing electrical power therefrom. Additionally, heat exchangers, chemical reactions, or any other 15 suitable apparatus or process may be used to generate electricity from the heated working fluid. DEI9740644 is discloses a solar collector with a porous ceramic absorber body of graded porosity such that the front region facing the solar radiation has a higher open porosity than the rear region. US2002083946 discloses a central solar receiver which comprises an axisymmetric 20 housing having front and rear ends and having an aperture at the front end, an elongated tubular window mounted in the aperture co-axially with the housing, a volumetric solar absorber disposed within the housing and extending around and along the elongated window for absorbing solar radiation, that has passed therethrough; and working fluid ingress and egress formed in the housing so as to, respectively, inject thereto, and withdraw therefrom, a 25 pressurized working fluid in a manner enabling the working fluid interaction with the volumetric absorber. The window has an open front end which is secured to the housing at the front end thereof, and a closed rear end which is disposed adjacent the rear end of the housing and is free of any securing thereto. 02075351\61-01 -Ι ο being open at a proximal, window-facing, end; o extending radially within the absorber; and o terminating at a distal end being closed by the material of the absorber. The channel thus extends only partially in the radial direction; part of the absorber 5 is located distally to each channel.

Foams which are suitable for use as solar radiation absorbers allows solar radiation to pass therethrough, heating portions thereof which are within its thickness. Working fluid similarly enters the foam for transfer thereto of energy absorbed by the foam. The amount of energy which is absorbed by the foam, and is thus useful for heat transfer to working fluid, 10 decreases as the radiation penetrates deeper into the foam. This can be expressed as:

Total Absorbed Radiation = fi(l - e~bx ) where A is a constant related to system characteristics, b is the extinction coefficient, which is related to the foam structure, and x is the distance traveled through the material. In practice, the value of this equation is close to one when x is about 3 times the average pore diameter of the 15 foam, indicating that when the radiation has penetrated to a distance equal to about three times the average pore diameter of the material, nearly the maximum amount of radiation which can be absorbed has been. Once the radiation exits the material, this effect is “reset”, i.e., upon impinging upon a second piece of material, the value of x returns to zero, allowing additional absorption thereof within the second piece of material. 20 The solar radiation absorber may define a plurality of circumferential bands, each comprising a plurality of the channels. It may further comprise a plurality of circumferential absorber elements arranged axially, each absorber element comprising portions of one or more of the bands. The absorber elements may be formed with the channels formed in an axially-facing side thereof, all of the channels disposed within a single band being open toward a single axial 25 direction. Each of the elements may comprise two of the bands, the channels of each of the bands being open toward an opposite axial direction than the channels of the other of the bands. The channels in each of the bands may be disposed axially adjacent to portions of material of the absorber between the channels of the other band. The absorber elements may be arranged such that channels thereof are disposed axially adjacent to portions of material of the absorber 30 between the channels of an adjacent absorber element. Portions of material of the absorber between the channels of each of the bands may circumferentially overlap portions of material of the absorber between the channels of the other of the bands.

Portions of material of the absorber between the channels may constitute a wave-shaped window-facing profile. 02075351U-01 -3-

The axial thickness of each of the sections of the material of the absorber bounding the channels may be greater than three times or five times the average pore diameter.

The material of the absorber closing the distal end of each channel may have a thickness, in the radial direction, greater than three times or five times the average pore diameter. 5 The channels may have a shape in a cross-section of a plane which is perpendicular to the radial direction, being substantially rectangular. The shape may comprise rounded comers.

The circumferential length of each channel may be smaller than that of the portion of material of the absorber circumferentially adjacent thereto.

The radial length of each channel may be larger than that of the material of the absorber 10 closing the distal end thereof.

The solar receiver may further comprise a radiation shield disposed between the working fluid inlet and the receiver chamber. The radiation shield may be configured to allow working fluid to flow therethrough.

The solar receiver may be designed to facilitate working fluid to flow from the working 15 fluid inlet around and along the window prior to flowing into the absorber.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a solar receiver system comprising: • a solar receiver as described above; and • a turbine operative to receive the working fluid from the working outlet and to 20 generate electricity therefrom.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a solar radiation absorber for use in a solar receiver, the solar radiation absorber being configured for absorbing radiation and heating a working fluid thereby, the solar radiation absorber being formed with channels and made of a foam material having a characteristic average pore diameter, each of the 25 channels: • being open at a proximal, radiation-facing, end; • extending radially within the absorber; and • terminating at a distal end being closed by the material of the absorber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 30 The present subject matter will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

Fig.l is a perspective view of a solar receiver;

Figs. 2A and 2B are partial sectional views of the receiver illustrated in Fig. 1; 02075351M-01 -4-

Fig. 3 A is a perspective view of an absorber element of a solar absorber for use with the solar receiver illustrated in Figs. 1 through 2B;

Fig. 3B is a perspective view of another example of an absorber element of a solar absorber for use with the solar receiver illustrated in Figs. 1 through 2B; and 5 Fig. 4 schematically illustrates the operation of the solar receiver illustrated in Figs. 1 through 2B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, various aspects of the present subject matter will be described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth In order io to provide a thorough understanding of the present subject matter. However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present subject matter may be practiced without the specific details presented herein. Furthermore, well known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the description of the subject matter.

As seen in Fig. 1, a solar receiver 100 comprises a receiver housing 102 formed of 15 stainless steel or any other suitable material. Housing 102 may be configured of a generally cylindrical main portion 104 having a central axis X (see Fig. 2A), and being formed with a top portion 108 at a rear end thereof, and a bottom portion 110 at a front end thereof. Housing 102 may be shaped in any suitable form.

As seen in Figs. 2A and 2B, wherein Fig. 2A Illustrates the intact solar receiver 100 with 20 a window and in Fig. 2B the window is not shown so as to illustrate elements surrounding the window, main portion 104 is engaged with top portion 108 by any suitable means, such as by welding, for example. Main portion 104 is engaged with bottom portion 110 by any suitable means, such as by a peripheral protrusion 126, protruding from main portion 104, mounted to a peripheral protrusion 128, protruding from bottom portion 110, by screws 130. An O-ring 136 25 may be disposed between protrusions 126 and 128. O-ring 136 is provided to ensure the engagement of respective main portion 104 with bottom portion 110 is a tight sealed engagement.

An inlet conduit housing 138 of an inlet conduit assembly 140 protrudes from top portion 108. An inlet conduit 142 is formed of a generally cylindrical portion 144 which is partially 30 disposed within inlet conduit housing 138. A generally central inlet conduit portion 148 is disposed within main portion 104 of receiver housing 102 and is connected to cylindrical portion 144 by a generally angular portion 150. Inlet conduit 142 may be formed of stainless steel or any other suitable material. 02075351\1 -01 -5-

As seen in the inset in Fig. 2A, central inlet conduit portion 148 defines on a bottom portion thereof a peripheral protrusion 170 which presses upon a central radiation shield enclosure 172 of a radiation shield assembly 174 at an inclined surface 178 thereof. Protrusion 170 may be formed of stainless steel or any other suitable material. Enclosure 172 may be 5 provided for thermal insulation of high-temperature working fluid flowing through radiation shield assembly 174, as will be further described hereinbelow with reference to Fig. 4. Enclosure 172 may be formed of a ceramic or any other suitable material. A ridge 180, defined by enclosure 172, is seated on a peripheral ring support 182 formed of stainless steel or any other suitable material. io Enclosure 172 defines an annular recess 188 in a middle portion 190 thereof. A radiation shield 192 is seated within recess 188 and may be formed of any suitable material, such as ceramics or metals adopted to withstand relatively high temperatures. Radiation shield 192 may be formed of tubes, pins or any perforated structure, for example, so as to allow working fluid to flow therethrough. 15 An annular insulating element 198 may be provided to surround peripheral protrusion 170 and a portion of enclosure 172 and may be connected to peripheral protrusion 170 and ring support 182 via screws 200 Inserted therein or by any other suitable means.

Radiation shield 192 may be provided so as to shield the inlet conduit assembly 140 from solar radiation entering receiver 100 via a window 222 while allowing the working fluid to flow 20 from Inlet conduit 142 via perforation in the radiation shield 192 on to window 222.

It is noted that the radiation shield 192 may be replaced by any other suitable means for shielding the inlet conduit assembly 140 from solar radiation.

Window 222 is mounted at the front end of the housing 102, and is disposed so as to project therewithin. Window 222 is designed so as to allow solar radiation to impinge thereon 25 and penetrate therethrough, as will be further described hereinbelow with reference to Fig. 4. A receiver chamber 233 is defined between the window 222 and the housing 102. The termination of the inlet conduit 142 constitutes a working fluid inlet of the receiver chamber 233, and an outlet conduit 320 (described below) constitutes a working fluid outlet of the receiver chamber 233. 30 Window 222 may be shaped, e.g., as a portion of a paraboloid of revolution, as a portion of a hyperbolic paraboloid, or as any suitable geometric configuration defining a streamlined contour wherein there is no profile transition from one geometric shape to the other. The streamlined contour minimizes turbulent flow of the working fluid flowing along the window 222 and minimizes reflection losses of incoming solar radiation therethrough. Additionally, the 02075351\l-01 -6- streamlined contour minimizes tensile stresses on the window 222 caused, e.g., by profile transitions, and allows for increased accuracy in production thereof.

It is noted that window 222 may be shaped in any suitable conical-like or frusto-conical-like configuration or a geometric configuration defining a streamlined contour wherein there is a 5 profile transition from one geometric shape to the other or any other suitable form so as to allow solar radiation to impinge thereupon and working fluid to flow therearound. Window 222 may be formed of any suitable material able to withstand relatively high temperatures and admit solar radiation therein. For example, window 222 may be formed of fused quartz.

Window 222 may be mounted to housing 102 by any suitable means, io A solar radiation absorber 230 is disposed around and along at least a portion of an internal surface 232 of window 222. The solar radiation absorber 230 may be formed of any suitable material allowing solar radiation and a working fluid to pass therethrough. For example, absorber 230 may be formed of a perforated material thereby defining perforations 234 (see Fig. 3 A) therein. The perforated material may be any suitable material, such a metallic or ceramic 15 foam material comprising a network of ceramic strings defining pores therebetween. Such a material is operative to withstand relatively high temperatures, for example.

Solar radiation absorber 230 may comprise a plurality of solar radiation absorber elements 235, which are axially arranged to constitute the solar radiation absorber 230. Solar radiation absorber elements 235 are formed with projections 236, as seen in Fig. 3A, which is 20 not shown to scale. Projections 236 are preferably formed with upper projections 242 In an upper circumferential band 243a, and lower projections 244 in a lower circumferential band 243b. The axial and/or circumferential thickness of each of the upper and lower projections 242, 244, may be at least three or five time the average pore diameter of the ceramic foam which constitutes the absorber. Alternatively, the thickness may be related or equal to the thickness of foam which is 25 necessary to absorb at least 95%, or even at least 99%, of incident solar radiation.

Upper projections 242 may be staggeringly arranged to circumferentially overlap axial lower projections 244 thus defining channels 246 formed between adjacent upper projections 242 and between adjacent lower projections 244. This arrangement results in the channels 246 of each of the bands 243a, 243b being adjacent to, in an axial direction, projections 242, 244 of the 30 other band.

The channels 246 are open at a proximal (window-facing) end 247a thereof and are open in the axial direction. They extend radially toward a distal end 247b thereof, terminated by closing material 248 of the absorber 230. The radial thickness, indicated at 248a, may be equal in length to three times the average pore diameter of the ceramic foam which constitutes the 02075351M-01 -7 - absorber. In a more particular example, the radial thickness 248a may be equal in length to five times the average pore diameter of the ceramic foam which constitutes the absorber. Alternatively, the thickness may be related or equal to the thickness of foam which is necessary to absorb at least 95% of incident solar radiation. The radial length of the channel 246 may be 5 longer than the radial thickness 248a of the closing material 248.

As seen in Fig. 3A, the channels 246 have a cross-sectional shape (when viewed in a plane which is perpendicular to the radial direction, i.e., an axial-circumferential plane) which is substantially rectangular. Comers 249 of the shape may be right-angular or rounded.

Absorber elements 235 are arranged circumferentially so as to form an annular array 250 io surrounding window 222. Alternatively, the absorber element 235 may be formed as a complete annular array, e.g., formed as a complete circle or loop.

As illustrated in Fig. 3B, the absorber elements 235 may be formed with a projection 251 having a wave-shaped window-facing profile 253, defining channels 246 which face alternating axial directions. It will be appreciated that, as described above, the absorber element 235 may be 15 formed as a complete annular array, and the solar radiation absorber 230 may be formed as a monolithic element comprising a plurality of similar projections, each having a wave-shaped window-facing profile 253, arranged axially. A plurality of arrays 250 are arranged axially, thus forming the solar radiation absorber 230. The arrays may be arranged such that channels 246 of one array are disposed axially 20 adjacent to projections 242, 244 (when the absorber elements 235 are in accordance with Fig. 3A) or crests of the waves (when the absorber elements are in accordance with Fig. 3B) of an axially adjacent array.

The channels 246 allow for incoming solar radiation which had penetrated some of the material of the absorber 230, e.g., through an upper or lower projection 242, 244 to exit the 25 material of the absorber and impinge upon and penetrate a different portion of the solar radiation absorber 230. As the amount of radiation which is absorbed decreases with the depth of penetration, as noted above, this exiting and re-penetration allows the radiation to be absorbed by a different portion of the solar radiation absorber 230. Additionally, channels 246 allow for incoming solar radiation, which had penetrated at a proximal (window-facing) end 260 of a 30 lower circumferential band 243b, to penetrate the distal end 247b of an adjacent upper circumferential band 243a, thereby increasing the area of the projections 236 available for absorbing radiation. 02075351\1-01 -8-

It is noted that though in the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B the absorber elements 235 are formed with perforations 234, the perforations 234 are only shown in Fig. 3 A so as not to obscure the illustrations of Figs. 2A, 2B and 3B.

The channels 246 and perforations 234 define together an absorber fluid channel 5 operative to allow working fluid to flow therethrough.

Absorber elements 235 may be embedded within an insulating support element 280 formed of any suitable insulating material. A plurality of annular thermal insulating elements 290 may be disposed within receiver 100. Thermal insulating elements 290 may be formed of a ceramic material or any other suitable io material and are provided to prevent solar radiation emission into housing 102. It is appreciated that thermal insulating elements 290 may be configured in any suitable manner, such as in the form of a single element, for example.

An outlet conduit housing 300 of an outlet conduit assembly 310 protrudes from top portion 108. An outlet conduit 320 is formed of a generally cylindrical portion which is partially 15 disposed within outlet conduit housing 300 and partially disposed within top portion 108. Outlet conduit housing 300 and outlet conduit 320 may be formed of stainless steel or any other suitable material. Outlet conduit assembly 310 is provided for egress of a working fluid from receiver 100. A plurality of thermal insulating elements 330 may be disposed around and along an 20 outer surface 332 of outlet conduit 320 and are provided to prevent heating of receiver housing top portion 108 by relatively high temperature working fluid flowing through outlet conduit 320. Thermal insulating elements 330 may be formed of a ceramic material or any other suitable material. Outlet conduit 320 is in fluid communication with an outlet fluid chamber 340 defined by the vicinity formed between insulating element 198, absorber 230 and insulating elements 25 290.

Outlet conduit housing 300 may include a first flange 340 protruding therefrom. First flange 340 may be mounted to a second flange 344 protruding from top portion 108 via screws 346 inserted therein. First flange 340 is provided as an interface with a solar energy system component, such as a turbine (not shown). 30 Inlet conduit housing 138 may include a first flange 350 protruding therefrom. First flange 350 may be mounted to a second flange 354 protruding from top portion 108 via screws 356 inserted therein. First flange 350 is provided as an interface with a solar energy system component, such as a compressor (not shown). 02075351\1-01 -9-

It is noted that first flanges 340, 350 of the outlet and inlet conduit housings 300, 138 may be replaced with any other suitable element or elements for providing an interface with the solar energy system component.

As seen in Fig. 4, a working fluid, such as air, for example, is introduced into inlet 5 conduit 142 of receiver 100. Working fluid may flow in following compression within a compressor (not shown).

Working fluid flows from inlet conduit 142 via radiation shield 192 on to the internal surface 232 of window 222. At a base portion 380 of window 222 the working fluid expands into absorber 230. io It is noted that the incoming working fluid from inlet conduit 142 flows via radiation shield 192 initially to the internal surface 232 of window 222 prior to flowing into the absorber 230 due to the decrease of the surface area of the working fluid flow from the radiation shield 192 to a top portion 390 of window 222. As seen in the inset in Fig. 2 A, the surface area of the radiation shield 192 is substantially larger than the surface area defined by the area between a 15 bottom portion 392 of enclosure 172 and top portion 390 of window 222. This area is designated by reference numeral 394. The difference in the surface areas is illustrated by the difference in a radius 396 of the radiation shield surface area and a radius 398 of surface area 394. Thus, as the surface area of the working fluid flow decreases from the radiation shield surface area to surface area 394 the velocity of the working fluid consequentially increases, thereby urging the working 20 fluid to flow along window 222 from top portion 390 to base portion 380 thereof. At base portion 380 the velocity of the working fluid decreases thus allowing the working fluid to expend into absorber 230. The initial flow of the working fluid along window 222 provides for cooling of the window 222 subjected to relatively high temperatures due to admission of solar radiation therethrough. 25 Solar radiation, designated by reference numeral 400, is admitted into absorber 230 via window 222 typically following concentration by a concentrator 402 of the solar energy system. It is noted that concentrator 402 is not shown to scale.

Solar radiation 400 passes window 222 and thereafter readily penetrates some of the material of the absorber 230, e.g., through an upper or lower projection 242, 244 to exit the 30 material of the absorber and impinge upon and penetrate a different portion of the solar radiation absorber 230. As the amount of radiation which is absorbed decreases with the depth of penetration, as noted above, this exiting and re-penetration allows the radiation to be absorbed by a different portion of the solar radiation absorber 230. Additionally, solar radiation 400 penetrates projections 236 via perforations 234. 02075351U-01 - 10-

Furthermore, incoming solar radiation, which had penetrated at proximal end 260 of a lower circumferential band 243b, penetrates projections 236 to distal end 247b of upper circumferential band 243a, thereby allowing the radiation to be absorbed by substantial portions of projections 236. 5 The solar radiation absorbed within projections 236 is emitted as heat to working fluid flowing within the absorber 230 thereby heating the working fluid therein.

Heated working fluid flows from absorber 230 to outlet fluid chamber 340 and exits receiver 100 via outlet conduit 320. Thereafter heated working fluid may be Introduced into a turbine (not shown) for generation of electrical energy therefrom. io It is appreciated that the solar receiver 100 may be Incorporated in solar thermal systems such as on-axis tracking solar thermal systems, or off-axis tracking solar thermal systems. The on-axis tracking solar system is known in the art as a solar system wherein the target, e.g., a solar receiver, Is always kept on a center-line formed between a solar reflector (or reflectors) and the sun, therefore the target location continuously changes to follow the sun movement. Examples of 15 on-axis tracking solar systems include parabolic dish reflectors/concentrators and Fresnel lens concentrators. In off-axis tracking solar systems the target (e.g., solar receiver) may be stationary or move, but generally not kept in the center-line formed between the reflector (or reflectors) and the sun. Examples of off-axis tracking solar systems Include central solar receivers such as solar towers. 20 It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described herein above. Rather the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of the various features described hereinabove as well as variations and modifications which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the specifications and which are not in the prior art. 02075351X1-01