Closed loop solar collecting system operating a thermoelectric generator system

Patent · Tue Oct 04 04:00:00 EDT 1983

OSTI ID:5286247

Johnston, B W

A closed loop solar collector system includes a linear concentrating parabolic reflector, a linear vaporizer tube horizontally aligned along the focal line of the parabolic reflector, and a fluid metering assembly attached to the input end of the vaporizer tube for precisely metering a quantity of a vaporizable heat transfer fluid from a supply tank to the vaporizer tube. Solar energy concentrated by the parabolic reflector on the vaporizer tube vaporizes the heat transfer fluid. The heated vapor flows out the outlet end of the tube opposite the fluid metering assembly through a pipe and enters a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger contains a heat absorptive medium which absorbs heat from the vaporized fluid to cause the fluid to condense and release its latent heat of vaporization to the heat absorptive medium. The condensed fluid flows back to the heat storage tank for re-use under pressure provided by the vaporized fluid entering the heat exchanger. A thermoelectric generating system using the present closed loop solar system is connected to the heat exchanger and utilizes a separate loop with a working fluid, such as ammonia, to drive an electric generator.

• Assignee: EDB-84-042503
• Patent Number(s): US 4407129
• OSTI ID: 5286247
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140700* -- Solar Thermal Power Systems
141000 -- Solar Collectors & Concentrators
CLOSED-CYCLE SYSTEMS
CONCENTRATING COLLECTORS
EQUIPMENT
FLUIDS
HEAT EXCHANGERS
HEAT TRANSFER FLUIDS
PARABOLIC COLLECTORS
PARABOLIC TROUGH COLLECTORS
POWER PLANTS
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR CONCENTRATORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR POWER PLANTS
SOLAR THERMAL POWER PLANTS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS