Solar chimney for daytime and nighttime use
OwnerPitaya Yangpichitinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A solar chimney includes a solar collector which heats air in the chimney, producing updrafts which can be harnessed to perform useful work. The solar collector may be located inside or outside the chimney. The device may include a reservoir for storing a heat transfer fluid, thus enabling the device to be used during both day and night. The solar chimney may be equipped with both internal and external solar collectors, operating in parallel. The solar chimney may also be equipped with multiple external solar collectors, connected in parallel to a reservoir. The solar chimney of the invention provides a convenient and practical way to convert solar energy into electrical power.
Claims20
A solar chimney, comprising:
- a) an enclosure defining a path for flow of a fluid to be heated, the enclosure containing a heat exchanger,
- b) a solar collector located outside the enclosure,
- c) a reservoir for storing a heat transfer fluid, and
- d) means for directing heat transfer fluid between the reservoir, the solar collector, and the heat exchanger,
- wherein, in a first position of the directing means, appropriate for use during daytime, heat transfer fluid can flow from the reservoir, then into the solar collector, then into the heat exchanger, and then back to the reservoir, and
- wherein, in a second position of the directing means, appropriate for use during nighttime, heat transfer fluid can flow from the reservoir, into the heat exchanger, and then back to the reservoir.
A solar chimney, comprising:
- a) an enclosure defining a path for flow of a fluid to be heated, the enclosure containing a heat exchanger,
- b) a plurality of solar collectors located outside the enclosure,
- c) a reservoir for storing a heat transfer fluid, and
- d) means for directing heat transfer fluid between the reservoir, the solar collectors, and the heat exchanger,
- wherein, in a first position of the directing means, appropriate for use during daytime, heat transfer fluid can flow from the reservoir, then into at least one of the solar collectors, then into the heat exchanger, and then back to the reservoir, and
- wherein, in a second position of the directing means, appropriate for use during nighttime, heat transfer fluid can flow from the reservoir, into the heat exchanger, and then back to the reservoir.
A method of operating a solar chimney system, the system including a chimney having a heat exchanger disposed therein, a solar collector, and a reservoir, the heat exchanger, solar collector, and reservoir being interconnected by a plurality of conduits and valves, the method comprising:
- a) directing a heat transfer fluid, during daytime, from the reservoir, into the solar collector, and into the heat exchanger, and returning the heat transfer fluid to the reservoir after the fluid has released some heat to the heat exchanger, thereby causing air in the chimney to become heated and to move by convection,
- b) directing the heat transfer fluid, during nighttime, from the reservoir to the heat exchanger, and returning the heat transfer fluid to the reservoir after the fluid has released some heat to the heat exchanger, thereby causing air in the chimney to become heated and to move by convection,
- c) using moving air in the chimney to perform useful work.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.