Radiant energy collection and conversion apparatus and method
Abstract
The apparatus for collecting radiant energy and converting to alternate energy forms includes a housing having an interior space and a radiation transparent window allowing solar radiation to be received in the interior space of the housing. Means are provided for passing a stream of fluid past the window and for injecting radiation absorbent particles in said fluid stream. The particles absorb the radiation and because of their very large surface area, quickly release the heat to the surrounding fluid stream. The fluid stream particle mixture is heated until the particles vaporize. The fluid stream is then allowed to expand in, for example, a gas turbine to produce mechanical energy. In an aspect of the present invention properly sized particles need not be vaporized prior to the entrance of the fluid stream into the turbine, as the particles will not damage the turbine blades. In yet another aspect of the invention, conventional fuel injectors are provided to inject fuel into the fluid stream to maintain the proper temperature and pressure of the fluid stream should the source of radiant energy be interrupted. In yet another aspect of the invention, an apparatus is provided which includes means for providing a hotmore »
- Inventors:
- OSTI Identifier:
- 5304297
- Assignee:
- TIC; ERA-05-025760; EDB-80-076676
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 14 SOLAR ENERGY; SOLAR COLLECTORS; DESIGN; SOLAR RECEIVERS; SOLAR THERMAL POWER PLANTS; AEROSOLS; BRAYTON CYCLE; ELECTRIC ARCS; EVAPORATION; GAS COMPRESSORS; GAS TURBINES; HEAT EXCHANGERS; HEAT TRANSFER FLUIDS; PARTICLES; COLLOIDS; COMPRESSORS; CURRENTS; DISPERSIONS; ELECTRIC CURRENTS; ELECTRIC DISCHARGES; EQUIPMENT; FLUIDS; MACHINERY; PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS; POWER PLANTS; SOLAR EQUIPMENT; SOLAR POWER PLANTS; SOLS; THERMODYNAMIC CYCLES; TURBINES; TURBOMACHINERY; 141000* - Solar Collectors & Concentrators; 140700 - Solar Thermal Power Systems
Citation Formats
Hunt, A J. Radiant energy collection and conversion apparatus and method. United States: N. p.,
Web.
Hunt, A J. Radiant energy collection and conversion apparatus and method. United States.
Hunt, A J. .
"Radiant energy collection and conversion apparatus and method". United States.
@article{osti_5304297,
title = {Radiant energy collection and conversion apparatus and method},
author = {Hunt, A J},
abstractNote = {The apparatus for collecting radiant energy and converting to alternate energy forms includes a housing having an interior space and a radiation transparent window allowing solar radiation to be received in the interior space of the housing. Means are provided for passing a stream of fluid past the window and for injecting radiation absorbent particles in said fluid stream. The particles absorb the radiation and because of their very large surface area, quickly release the heat to the surrounding fluid stream. The fluid stream particle mixture is heated until the particles vaporize. The fluid stream is then allowed to expand in, for example, a gas turbine to produce mechanical energy. In an aspect of the present invention properly sized particles need not be vaporized prior to the entrance of the fluid stream into the turbine, as the particles will not damage the turbine blades. In yet another aspect of the invention, conventional fuel injectors are provided to inject fuel into the fluid stream to maintain the proper temperature and pressure of the fluid stream should the source of radiant energy be interrupted. In yet another aspect of the invention, an apparatus is provided which includes means for providing a hot fluid stream having hot particles disbursed therein which can radiate energy, means for providing a cooler fluid stream having cooler particles disbursed therein, which particles can absorb radiant energy and means for passing the hot fluid stream adjacent the cooler fluid stream to warm the cooler fluid and cooler particles by the radiation from the hot fluid and hot particles.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {},
month = {}
}