SOLAR RADIATION RECEIVER AND REACTOR SYSTEM HAVING A SOLAR RADIATION RECEIVER

Abstract

A solar radiation receiver having a receiver chamber having at least one radiation opening through which concentrated solar radiation can be introduced into the receiver chamber, having at least one solar absorber device which has at least one solid medium block which is fastened to a transport device, and having at least one opening through which the at least one solar absorber device is inserted such that the at least one solid medium block is arranged in the receiver, and through which the solar absorber device is removed.

Claims

1-22. (canceled)

23. A solar radiation receiver, comprising: a receiver chamber having at least one radiation opening through which concentrated solar radiation can be introduced into the receiver chamber, having at least one solar absorber device which has at least one solid medium block which is fastened to a transport device, and having at least one opening through which the at least one solar absorber device is inserted such that the at least one solid medium block is arranged in the receiver, and through which the solar absorber device is removed.

24. The solar radiation receiver according to claim 23, wherein the at least one radiation opening is closed with a disc transparent to solar radiation.

25. The solar radiation receiver according to claim 23, further comprising: at least one vertical transport device, wherein the at least one opening is directed downward and the at least one vertical transport device inserts the at least one solar absorber device into the receiver chamber in the vertical direction from below and removes the same from below.

26. The solar radiation receiver according to claim 23, further comprising: a plurality of openings and a plurality of solar absorber openings, wherein one solar absorber device is inserted into and removed from the receiver chamber through one of the openings, respectively.

27. The solar radiation receiver according to claim 26, further comprising: a plurality of vertical transport devices, wherein each opening has a vertical transport device assigned thereto.

28. The solar radiation receiver according to claim 23, further comprising: a locking device arranged at the at least one opening or at each opening, by which device a solar absorber device inserted into the receiver chamber via the opening is locked in the inserted position.

29. The solar radiation receiver according to claim 28, wherein the locking device engages the transport device for locking.

30. The solar radiation receiver according to claim 23, wherein the at least one opening has a shape adapted to the shape of the transport device.

31. The solar radiation receiver according to claim 23, wherein the transport device of the solar absorber device comprises a plate section protruding laterally beyond the solid medium block and the at least one opening is limited by an opening edge formed by a receiver chamber wall, wherein, when the solar absorber device is in the position inserted into the receiver chamber, the protruding plate section abuts against the opening edge.

32. The solar radiation receiver according to claim 31, wherein the locking device engages behind the plate section for locking.

33. The solar radiation receiver according to claim 31, wherein the plate section is designed to extend circumferentially.

34. The solar radiation receiver according to claim 23, wherein the at least one opening comprises a sealing closure set into the opening, wherein upon the insertion of one of the solar absorber devices into the opening, the sealing device is removed, wherein the solar absorber device preferably pushes the sealing closure out of the opening.

35. The solar radiation receiver according to claim 34, wherein the at least one solar absorber device comprises a centering protrusion and the sealing closure comprises a centering recess, wherein the centering protrusion is adapted to the centering recess.

36. The solar radiation receiver according to claim 34, wherein at least one recess is arranged in the receiver chamber opposite the at least one opening, wherein the solar absorber device pushes the sealing closure into the recess upon insertion into the receiver chamber.

37. The solar radiation receiver according claim 34, wherein the sealing closure has a tapering cross section, wherein inclined circumferential walls are formed which, when the sealing closure is in the state inserted in the opening, abut against the limiting walls of the opening.

38. The solar radiation receiver according to claim 25, further comprising: a horizontal transport device which transports the at least one solar absorber device to the vertical transport device.

39. The solar radiation receiver according to claim 23, wherein the solid medium block comprises barrier layers extending transversely to a direction of insertion into the receiver chamber, which suppress a gas transport within the solid medium block in the direction of insertion.

40. A reactor system with a solar radiation receiver according to claim 23, comprising a reactor chamber, wherein at least one second vertical transport device inserts the at least one solar absorber device into the reactor chamber, preferably in the vertical direction, and removes the device from the same.

41. The reactor system according to claim 40, wherein a solar absorber device storage for receiving a plurality of solar absorber devices.

42. The reactor system according to claim 41, wherein at least one third vertical transport device inserts the solar absorber devices into the solar absorber device storage and removes the devices from the same.

43. The reactor system according to claim 40, wherein a heat transfer system having a heat transfer chamber with an inlet opening and an outlet opening, wherein the solar absorber devices are moved in two rows in opposite directions through the heat transfer chamber.

44. The reactor system according to claims 40, wherein horizontal transport devices connect the at least one vertical transport device, the at least one vertical transport device and the at least one third vertical transport device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0060] In the following, the present invention is described in more detail with reference to the following Figures. In the Figures:

[0061] FIG. 1a is a schematic sectional view of a solar radiation receiver of the invention upon insertion of a solar absorber device,

[0062] FIG. 1b is a schematic sectional view of a solar radiation receiver of the invention upon insertion of a solar absorber device,

[0063] FIG. 1c is a schematic sectional view of a solar radiation receiver of the invention upon insertion of a solar absorber device,

[0064] FIG. 2a is a view of the solar absorber device,

[0065] FIG. 2b is a view of the solar absorber device,

[0066] FIG. 3a is an arrangement of solar absorber devices of the invention in a solar radiation receiver,

[0067] FIG. 3b is an arrangement of solar absorber devices of the invention in a solar radiation receiver,

[0068] FIG. 3c is an arrangement of solar absorber devices of the invention in a solar radiation receiver,

[0069] FIG. 4a is a schematic illustration of an arrangement of solar absorber devices in a solar radiation receiver with associated vertical transport devices and horizontal transport devices,

[0070] FIG. 4b is a schematic illustration of an arrangement of solar absorber devices in a solar radiation receiver with associated vertical transport devices and horizontal transport devices,

[0071] FIG. 4c is a schematic illustration of an arrangement of solar absorber devices in a solar radiation receiver with associated vertical transport devices and horizontal transport devices,

[0072] FIG. 4d is a schematic illustration of an arrangement of solar absorber devices in a solar radiation receiver with associated vertical transport devices and horizontal transport devices,

[0073] FIG. 5 is a principle illustration of the reactor system of the present invention,

[0074] FIG. 6a is a schematic illustration of a second embodiment of a solar radiation receiver of the present invention,

[0075] FIG. 6b is a schematic illustration of a second embodiment of a solar radiation receiver of the present invention,

[0076] FIG. 6c is a schematic illustration of a second embodiment of a solar radiation receiver of the present invention,

[0077] FIG. 7a is a schematic illustration of a third embodiment of a solar radiation receiver of the present invention,

[0078] FIG. 7b is a schematic illustration of a third embodiment of a solar radiation receiver of the present invention, and

[0079] FIG. 7c is a schematic illustration of a third embodiment of a solar radiation receiver of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0080] In FIGS. 1a-1c, a solar radiation receiver 1 of the present invention is schematically illustrated in section. The solar radiation receiver 1 has a receiver chamber 3 surrounded by a receiver chamber wall 5. The receiver chamber wall 5 forms a thermal insulation of the receiver chamber 3.

[0081] The receiver chamber 3 comprises a radiation opening 7, through which the concentrated solar radiation (shown in the Figures as a thick arrow) can be introduced into the receiver chamber 3. The radiation opening 7 is closed with a disc 9 transparent to solar radiation, so that a desired atmosphere can be created in the receiver chamber 3.

[0082] The receiver chamber 3 has an opening 11 at its lower end, through which a solar absorber device 13 can be inserted into the receiver chamber 3.

[0083] As best seen in FIGS. 2a and 2b, the solar absorber device 13 comprises a solid medium block 15 that is fastened on a transport means 17. However, the solar absorber device 13 comprises an insulation that thermally insulates the solid medium block 15 from the transport means 17.

[0084] In FIG. 1a, the solar absorber device 13 is illustrated just prior to being inserted into the receiver chamber 3. The opening 11 is closed with a sealing closure 19. The sealing closure 19 has a centering recess 19a at its lower end. The solar absorber device 13 has a centering protrusion 13a at its upper end, the protrusion being adapted to the centering recess 19a. Using a horizontal transport device 30, the solar absorber device 13 is positioned below the opening 11. Thereafter, as can be seen in FIG. 1b, the solar absorber device 13 is transported into the receiver chamber 3 in the vertical direction, using a vertical transport device 40. Here, the centering protrusion 13a of the solar absorber device 13 is inserted into the centering recess 19a of the sealing closure 19, so that the sealing closure 19 can sit on top of the solar absorber device 13 and can be maintained in this position.

[0085] As the solar absorber device 13 is moved vertically, the sealing closure 19 is pushed upward out of the opening 11.

[0086] The receiver chamber 3 further comprises a recess 21 into which the sealing closure 19 can be inserted after the solar absorber device 13 has been moved into the receiver chamber 3.

[0087] The sealing closure 19 has a cross section tapering downward, with inclined circumferential walls 19b being formed. In the state inserted in the opening 11, the inclined circumferential walls 19b abut against limiting walls 11b of the opening 11, so that an advantageous sealing is effected. Through the inclined circumferential walls, it is further ensured that, when removing the solar absorber device 13 from the receiver chamber 3 through the opening 11, the sealing closure 19 can reach the correct position in the opening 11.

[0088] In the state inserted in the receiver chamber 3, the solid medium block 15 of the solar absorber device 13 is arranged completely in the receiver chamber 3 and can be irradiated by the concentrated solar radiation.

[0089] The transport means 17 comprises a circumferential plate section 17a which, in the position of the solar absorber device 13 inserted into the receiver chamber 3, abuts against an opening edge 11a formed by the receiver chamber wall 5 and seals the opening 11 in this position.

[0090] A locking device 20 engages behind the plate section 17a and thus engages the transport means 17 in order to lock the solar absorber device 13 in the position inserted into the receiver chamber 3. Using the locking device 20, the solar absorber device 13 can be maintained in the position inserted into the receiver chamber 3. The vertical transport device 40 can thus be released from the solar absorber device 13, so that the thermal stress on the vertical transport device 40 can be reduced.

[0091] The solid medium block 15 can, for example, consist of a redox material and be porous. As is obvious from FIGS. 2a and 2b, the solid medium block 15 is cuboid in shape. It extends in a height direction (direction Y in FIGS. 2a and 2b), a length direction (direction X in FIG. 2b) and a width direction (direction Z in FIG. 2a). The maximum dimension of the solid medium block 15 in the height direction is shorter than the maximum dimension in the length dimension. The maximum dimension in the width direction is smaller than the maximum dimension in the height direction and the maximum dimension in the length direction and is, for example, about 25% of the maximum dimension of the solid medium block 15 in the height direction. In other words: The solid medium block 15 has the shape of a thick plate, wherein one major surface 15a is formed which can advantageously be irradiated with concentrated solar radiation when in a state inserted into the solar radiation receiver 1.

[0092] Elements 22 can be arranged in the solid medium block 15 that extend in the height direction and serve to stabilize the solid medium block 15. Further, second elements 23 can be provided, which extend in the width direction and essentially serve for an improved heat transport in the width direction. Thereby, an improved heating of the solid medium block 15 can be achieved. In addition, the solid medium block 15 can be structured such that a gas transport in the direction of insertion is suppressed, e.g. by a layered structure in the height direction, in which non-porous layers alternate with porous layers, in order to impede the gas transport upon insertion of the solid medium block 15 into the receiver chamber 3. The layer spacing may be adapted to the width of the receiver chamber wall 5 at the opening 11, in order to avoid a direct gas transport into and out from the receiver chamber 3.

[0093] In FIGS. 3a-3c, different designs of the solar radiation receiver 1 are illustrated.

[0094] The different solar radiation receivers 1 comprise a plurality of openings 11, through which one solar absorber device 13 can be inserted, respectively.

[0095] In FIG. 3a, a plurality of solar absorber devices 13 is arranged along an arcuate path in the receiver chamber 3. In FIG. 3b, a plurality of larger solar absorber devices 13 are arranged one behind the other with respect to the irradiation direction of the concentrate solar radiation. The solar absorber devices 13 can thus be removed from and be inserted again into the receiver chamber 3 one after the other, so that a continuous operation is possible in an advantageous manner.

[0096] In FIG. 3c, two rows of solar absorber devices 13 are arranged along an arcuate path. In addition, the solar radiation receiver 1 illustrated in FIG. 3c has two radiation openings 7, each closed with a transparent disc 9. A plurality of radiation openings 7 may be necessary, if, for example, the size of the transparent disc 9 is limited because of the high stress and the special requirements with respect to transparency.

[0097] FIGS. 4a-4d illustrate another embodiment of a solar radiation receiver 1, wherein FIGS. 4c and 4d illustrate an alternative with respect to the horizontal transport device 30.

[0098] In FIG. 4a, the solar radiation receiver 1 is shown without the solar absorber devices 13. The openings 11 are arranged in two rows along arcuate paths. As can be seen in FIGS. 4b, a plurality of vertical transport devices 40 are arranged below the solar radiation receiver 1, with the positions of the vertical transport devices 40 being adapted to the position of the openings 11.

[0099] As can be seen in FIGS. 4c and d, a plurality of horizontal transport devices 30 extend to below the openings 11, so that the solar absorber devices 13 can be positioned below the openings 11 and on the vertical transport devices 40 by means of the horizontal transport devices 30. In FIG. 4c, horizontal transport devices 30 are illustrated which can each serve two openings adjacent to one another.

[0100] In FIG. 4d, illustrates an alternative embodiment, in which the horizontal transport devices 30 can transport the solar absorption 13 along an arcuate path, so that all openings 11 lying in a row on an arcuate path can be served by a horizontal transport device 30.

[0101] FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a reactor system 100 in a schematic diagram.

[0102] The reactor system 100 comprises a receiver 1 according to the invention having the receiving chamber 3 and one or a plurality of vertical transport devices 40. Further, the reactor system 100 comprises a reactor chamber 110, a solar absorber device storage 120 and a heat transfer system 130. The solar absorber devices comprising a solid medium block of a redox material are heated and reduced in the solar radiation receiver 1 using solar radiation. Subsequently, these are transported through the heat transfer system 130, wherein a heat transfer to colder solar absorber devices occurs. Thereafter, the reduced and cooled solar absorber devices are placed into the reactor chamber 110 and subjected to water vapor, whereby hydrogen is produced due to the oxidation of the redox material by the oxygen of the water vapor.

[0103] The horizontal transport device 30 can transport the solar absorber devices from the vertical transport device 40 to the heat transfer system 130 or transport solar absorber devices from the heat transfer system 130 to the vertical transport device 40. A second vertical transport device 50 can be provided for the transport of the solar absorption devices into the reactor chamber 110. The solar absorber devices can be transported to the second vertical transport device and away from the same via a second horizontal transport device 35.

[0104] Further, a solar absorber device storage 120 can be provided, in which solar absorber devices can be stored temporarily or stockpiled. The solar absorber device storage 120 can be served via a third vertical transport device 60. A third horizontal transport device 37 can transport solar absorber devices to the third vertical transport device 60 and away from the same.

[0105] FIGS. 6a-6c are schematic illustrations of a second embodiment of a solar radiation receiver 1 of the present invention.

[0106] In the embodiment illustrated, the reactor chamber 3 is arranged directly adjoining the solar radiation receiver 1. The solar absorber device 13 is transported directly into the reactor chamber from the solar radiation receiver by means of the vertical transport device 40. The reactor chamber 110 is arranged above the solar radiation receiver 1. The opening 11 of the receiver chamber 3 opens directly into the reactor chamber 110.

[0107] FIGS. 6a-6c show the solar absorber device 13 in different positions. In FIG. 6a, the solar absorption device 13 is illustrated with the solid medium block 15 completely in the reactor chamber 110. In FIG. 6c, the solar absorption device 13 is illustrated with the solid medium block 15 completely in the receiver chamber 3.

[0108] The transport means 17, on which the solid medium block 15 is arranged, comprises a seal 17b which, depending on the position of the solar absorber device 13, seals the reactor chamber 110 or the receiver chamber 3. In addition, a further seal 18 is arranged at a side of the solid medium block 15 opposite the transport device 17, which seal ensures a sealing of the reactor chamber 110 from the receiver chamber 3, when the solid medium block is in its position inserted into the reaction chamber 110 (FIG. 6a).

[0109] Basically, corresponding seals can also be provided at the receiver chamber 3, in particular the opening 11, and/or at the reactor chamber 110. Active seals can also be used. For example, the at least one opening 11 can connect the receiver chamber 3 and the reactor chamber 110, with a seal being arranged at the opening 11 as a kind of lock. When the solid medium block 15 has been moved into the reactor chamber 110, the seal may then, for example, close the opening 11 completely.

[0110] FIGS. 7a-7c are schematic illustrations of a third embodiment of a solar radiation receiver 1 of the present invention.

[0111] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7a-7c, the solar absorber device 13 comprises two solid medium blocks 15 arranged one above the other. The transport means 17 consists of two parts. Above and below the receiver chamber 3, one reactor chamber 110 is arranged, respectively, which are oriented towards each other and are assigned to the solid medium blocks 15. Using a transport means 40, the solid medium blocks 15 are displaced, so that, at any time, one solid medium block 15 is arranged in the receiver chamber 3 and, alternately, one solid medium block 15 is arranged in one of the reactor chambers 110. A connection means 16 may be provided between the solid medium blocks 15. Using the connection means 16, also a sealing at the openings 11 of the receiver chamber 3 can be effected.

[0112] FIGS. 7a-7c show the solar absorber device 13 in different positions. In FIG. 7a, the solar absorption device 13 is illustrated with the upper solid medium block 15 completely in the upper reactor chamber 110, while the lower solid medium block 15 is arranged in the receiver chamber 3. In FIG. 7c, the solar absorption device 13 is illustrated with the solid medium block 15 completely in the lower reactor chamber 110, while the upper solid medium block 15 is arranged in the receiver chamber 3.

[0113] The embodiments described above with reference to FIGS. 6a to 7c may also comprise a plurality of solar absorber devices 13 with correspondingly assigned reactor chambers. For example, the solar absorber devices 13 of the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 3c may be provided. In this case, the solar radiation receiver 1 may also comprise a plurality of radiation openings 7.

TABLE-US-00001 List of reference numerals 1 solar radiation receiver 3 receiver chamber 5 receiver chamber wall 7 radiation opening 9 transparent disc 11 opening 11a opening edge 11b limiting walls 13 solar absorber device 13a centering protrusion 15 solid medium block 15a major surface 16 connection means 17 transport means 17a plate section 17b seal 18 further seal 19 sealing closure 19b centering recess 19b circumferential walls 20 locking device 21 recess 22 elements 23 second elements 30 horizontal transport device 35 second horizontal transport device 37 third horizontal transport device 40 vertical transport device 50 second vertical transport device 60 third vertical transport device 100 reactor system 110 reactor chamber 120 solar absorber device storage 130 heat transfer system