Solar receiver protection means and method for loss of coolant flow
Abstract
An apparatus and method are disclosed for preventing a solar receiver utilizing a flowing coolant liquid for removing heat energy therefrom from overheating after a loss of coolant flow. Solar energy is directed to the solar receiver by a plurality of reflectors which rotate so that they direct solar energy to the receiver as the earth rotates. The apparatus disclosed includes a first storage tank for containing a first predetermined volume of the coolant and a first predetermined volume of gas at a first predetermined pressure. The first storage tank includes an inlet and outlet through which the coolant can enter and exit. The apparatus also includes a second storage tank for containing a second predetermined volume of the coolant and a second predetermined volume of the gas at a second predetermined pressure, the second storage tank having an inlet through which the coolant can enter. The first and second storage tanks are in fluid communication with each other through the solar receiver. The first and second predetermined coolant volumes, the first and second gas volumes, and the first and second predetermined pressures are chosen so that a predetermined volume of the coolant liquid at a predetermined rate profile willmore »
- Inventors:
- Issue Date:
- OSTI Identifier:
- 5285730
- Assignee:
- Dept. of Energy
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC03-78ET20567
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 14 SOLAR ENERGY; SOLAR RECEIVERS; COOLING SYSTEMS; HEAT TRANSFER FLUIDS; COOLANTS; FAILURES; FLOW RATE; HEAT STORAGE; LOSS OF COOLANT; PUMPS; SOLAR REFLECTORS; TANKS; ACCIDENTS; CONTAINERS; ENERGY STORAGE; ENERGY SYSTEMS; EQUIPMENT; FLUIDS; REACTOR ACCIDENTS; SOLAR CONCENTRATORS; SOLAR EQUIPMENT; STORAGE; 140702* - Solar Thermal Power Systems- Central Receiver
Citation Formats
Glasgow, L E. Solar receiver protection means and method for loss of coolant flow. United States: N. p., 1980.
Web.
Glasgow, L E. Solar receiver protection means and method for loss of coolant flow. United States.
Glasgow, L E. Mon .
"Solar receiver protection means and method for loss of coolant flow". United States.
@article{osti_5285730,
title = {Solar receiver protection means and method for loss of coolant flow},
author = {Glasgow, L E},
abstractNote = {An apparatus and method are disclosed for preventing a solar receiver utilizing a flowing coolant liquid for removing heat energy therefrom from overheating after a loss of coolant flow. Solar energy is directed to the solar receiver by a plurality of reflectors which rotate so that they direct solar energy to the receiver as the earth rotates. The apparatus disclosed includes a first storage tank for containing a first predetermined volume of the coolant and a first predetermined volume of gas at a first predetermined pressure. The first storage tank includes an inlet and outlet through which the coolant can enter and exit. The apparatus also includes a second storage tank for containing a second predetermined volume of the coolant and a second predetermined volume of the gas at a second predetermined pressure, the second storage tank having an inlet through which the coolant can enter. The first and second storage tanks are in fluid communication with each other through the solar receiver. The first and second predetermined coolant volumes, the first and second gas volumes, and the first and second predetermined pressures are chosen so that a predetermined volume of the coolant liquid at a predetermined rate profile will flow from the first storage tank through the solar receiver and into the second storage tank. Thus, in the event of a power failure so that coolant flow ceases and the solar reflectors stop rotating, a flow rate maintained by the pressure differential between the first and second storage tanks will be sufficient to maintain the coolant in the receiver below a predetermined upper temperature until the solar reflectors become defocused with respect to the solar receiver due to the earth's rotation.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Mon Nov 24 00:00:00 EST 1980},
month = {Mon Nov 24 00:00:00 EST 1980}
}