Solar power system and method for power generation
AssigneeUnited Technologies Corporation
InventorRobert Z. Litwin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A solar-powered power generation system and an associated method are provided. The system includes at least one trough solar absorption device for heating a heat transfer fluid to a first temperature, and at least one tower solar absorption device for further heating the transfer fluid to a second temperature. Thus, the generation system can efficiently heat the transfer fluid to high temperatures. Subsequently, the heated fluid can be used, e.g., to generate steam and/or electricity.
Claims33
A solar-powered power generation system, the system comprising:
- at least one trough solar absorption device, each trough solar absorption device having a receiver defining a passage for receiving a heat transfer fluid and a solar collector configured to direct solar radiation toward the receiver of the trough solar absorption device to heat the heat transfer fluid therein to a first temperature;
- and
- a tower solar absorption device configured to receive the heat transfer fluid from the at least one trough solar absorption device, the tower absorption device including a receiver for receiving the heat transfer fluid and a solar collector configured to direct solar radiation toward the receiver of the tower solar absorption device to heat the heat transfer fluid therein to a second temperature higher than the first temperature.
A solar-powered power generation system, the system comprising:
- at least one trough solar absorption device, each trough solar absorption device having a receiver defining a passage for receiving a heat transfer fluid and a solar collector configured to direct solar radiation toward the receiver of the trough solar absorption device to heat the heat transfer fluid therein to a first temperature;
- a tower solar absorption device configured to receive the heat transfer fluid from the at least one trough solar absorption device, the tower absorption device including a receiver for receiving the heat transfer fluid and a solar collector configured to direct solar radiation toward the receiver of the tower solar absorption device to heat the heat transfer fluid therein to a second temperature higher than the first temperature;
- and
- a power generator configured to receive the heat transfer fluid from the tower solar absorption device and remove thermal energy from the heat transfer fluid, thereby cooling the heat transfer fluid to a third temperature.
A method of generating power using solar energy, the method comprising:
- delivering a heat transfer fluid through at least one trough solar absorption device, each trough solar absorption device including a receiver defining a passage for receiving the heat transfer fluid;
- reflecting solar energy toward the receiver of the at least one trough solar absorption device, thereby heating the heat transfer fluid therein to a first temperature;
- delivering the heat transfer fluid from the trough solar absorption device to a tower absorption device, the tower absorption device including a receiver defining a passage for receiving the heat transfer fluid;
- reflecting solar energy toward the receiver of the tower solar absorption device, thereby heating the heat transfer fluid therein to a second temperature higher than the first temperature;
- and
- delivering the heat transfer fluid from the tower solar absorption device to a power generator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.