High temperature solar thermal systems and methods

摘要

High-temperature solar thermal systems and methods are described. In one aspect, a system is described that includes a heat engine power conversion system, or a “heat engine,” with a fluid working medium. The heat engine includes a first input, a second input, and a heat exchanger. The first input receives heated high temperature tolerant particles, or “heated particles,” from a solar energy collection and distribution component that is coupled to the heat engine. The heat engine's second input receives the working fluid medium used to drive the power cycle in the heat engine. The heat exchanger transfers heat from the received heated particles to the working fluid medium, and thereby, energized the heat engine's power cycle.

主权项

1. A system comprising a heat engine power conversion system, the heat engine power conversion system comprising:
heated high temperature tolerant particles; a first input defining a first passageway to direct the heated high temperature tolerant particles to the heat engine power conversion system; a working fluid medium; a second input defining a second passageway to direct the working fluid medium; and a heat exchanger configured to transfer heat from the heated high temperature tolerant particles to the working fluid medium implementing a power cycle in the heat engine power conversion system, the heat exchanger having a sand shifter configured to flow the heated high temperature tolerant particles as a granular material therethrough, the heat exchanger having tubes within the sand shifter configured to flow the working fluid medium within tubes separately from the heated high temperature tolerant particles, wherein the heat exchanger comprises an upper sand shifter and a lower sand shifter, wherein the upper sand shifter and the lower sand shifter together define a U-shaped configuration, the upper and lower sand shifters having vanes configured to lift and pour the granular material over the tubes, and the vanes configured to push the granular material along a longitudinally extending length of the tubes, and the heat exchanger configured to exchange heat from the heated high temperature tolerant particles with the working fluid medium through tubes so as to reduce wear without grinding the heated high temperature tolerant particles on the tubes.