LINEAR RECEIVERS FOR SOLAR COLLECTORS

摘要

Described herein are linear receivers for use in concentrating solar collection applications. For example, linear receivers incorporating a volume displacement element within an internal volume of a linear solar radiation absorbing element are provided. The volume displacement element provides, for example, enhanced heat transfer characteristics between the absorber element and the heat transfer fluid, efficiency improvements associated with maintaining a position of the linear receiver at an optimal location for absorbing concentrated solar radiation and/or the ability to recover the linear receiver from a freeze event. Also provided are methods for making a linear receiver, methods for collecting concentrated solar radiation, methods for recovering a linear receiver from a freeze event, methods for improving overall receiver efficiency, such as by reducing bowing/sagging of the receiver element, and methods for reducing a circumferential temperature distribution of the absorber element.

主权项

1. A linear receiver for a concentrating solar collector, said receiver comprising:
a linear solar radiation absorbing element extending along a first length, wherein said linear solar radiation absorbing element comprises a hollow structure having a first internal volume and an external surface for absorbing incident or reflected solar radiation; a linear volume displacement element positioned within said linear solar radiation absorbing element and extending along at least a portion of said first length of said linear solar radiation absorbing element, wherein said first internal volume includes a second volume occupied by said linear volume displacement element and a third volume not occupied by said linear volume displacement element and wherein said second volume occupies a percentage of said first internal volume greater than 15%; and a first heat transfer fluid provided within said third volume of said linear solar radiation absorbing element, wherein said first heat transfer fluid flows at a first flow rate within said linear solar radiation absorbing element and does not flow within said second volume.