Solar power system and method for power generation
View Patent ↗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.
1. 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.
2. A solar-powered power generation system according to claim 1 wherein the at least one trough solar absorption device is configured to heat the heat transfer fluid to a temperature of between about 650° F. and 850° F.
3. A solar-powered power generation system according to claim 1 wherein the at least one tower solar absorption device is configured to heat the heat transfer fluid to a temperature of between about 850° F. and 1100° F.
4. A solar-powered power generation system according to claim 1 wherein the solar collector of the tower solar absorption device includes at least one heliostat.
5. A solar-powered power generation system according to claim 1 wherein the solar collector of the trough solar absorption device includes at least one parabolic mirror.
6. A solar-powered power generation system according to claim 1 , further comprising a fluid storage tank configured to receive the heat transfer fluid from the trough solar absorption device, the tower solar absorption device being configured to receive the heat transfer fluid from the tank, and the tank being structured to substantially maintain a temperature of the heat transfer fluid therein.
7. A solar-powered power generation system according to claim 1 , further comprising the heat transfer fluid circulated through the at least one trough solar absorption device and the tower solar absorption device, wherein the heat transfer fluid is a molten salt.
8. 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.
9. A solar-powered power generation system according to claim 1 wherein the at least one trough solar absorption device is configured to heat the heat transfer fluid to a temperature of between about 650° F. and 850° F.
10. A solar-powered power generation system according to claim 1 wherein the at least one tower solar absorption device is configured to heat the heat transfer fluid to a temperature of between about 850° F. and 1100° F.
11. A solar-powered power generation system according to claim 1 wherein the power generator is configured to cool the heat transfer fluid to a temperature of between about 450° F. and 650° F.
12. A solar-powered power generation system according to claim 1 wherein the solar collector of the tower solar absorption device includes at least two heliostats.
13. A solar-powered power generation system according to claim 1 wherein the solar collector of the trough solar absorption device includes at least one parabolic mirror.
14. A solar-powered power generation system according to claim 1 , further comprising a fluid storage tank configured to receive the heat transfer fluid from the trough solar absorption device, the tower solar absorption device being configured to receive the heat transfer fluid from the tank, and the tank being structured to substantially maintain a temperature of the heat transfer fluid therein.
15. A solar-powered power generation system according to claim 1 wherein the power generator is a steam generator configured to use thermal energy from the heat transfer fluid to generate steam.
16. A solar-powered power generation system according to claim 15 wherein the power generator includes a turbine and an electrical generator, the turbine being fluidly connected to the steam generator and the electrical generator being coupled to the turbine such that the turbine is configured to be rotated by the steam, thereby rotating the electrical generator and generating electricity.
17. A solar-powered power generation system according to claim 1 , further comprising first and second fluid storage tanks, the first fluid tank being fluidly connected to the power generator and the at least one trough solar absorption device, the first fluid tank being configured to receive the heat transfer fluid from the power generator at about the third temperature and deliver the heat transfer fluid to the at least one trough solar absorption device, and the second fluid tank being fluidly connected to the tower solar absorption device and configured to receive the heat transfer fluid from the tower solar absorption device at about the second temperature and deliver the heat transfer fluid to the power generator.
18. A solar-powered power generation system according to claim 1 , further comprising the heat transfer fluid circulated through the at least one trough solar absorption device, the tower solar absorption device, and the power generator, wherein the heat transfer fluid is a molten salt.
19. A solar-powered power generation system according to claim 1 wherein the at least one trough solar absorption device is fluidly connected to the power generator and configured to receive the heat transfer fluid therefrom such that the at least one trough solar absorption device, the tower solar absorption device, and the power generator are configured to circulate the heat transfer fluid continuously.
20. 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.
21. A method according to claim 20 wherein said first reflecting step comprises heating the heat transfer fluid to a temperature of between about 650° F. and 850° F.
22. A method according to claim 20 wherein said second reflecting step comprises heating the heat transfer fluid to a temperature of between about 850° F. and 1100° F.
23. A method according to claim 20 wherein said second reflecting step comprises reflecting solar radiation toward the tower solar absorption device with a plurality of heliostats.
24. A method according to claim 20 wherein said first reflecting step comprises reflecting solar radiation toward the trough solar absorption device with at least one parabolic mirror.
25. A method according to claim 20 wherein said second delivering step comprises delivering the heat transfer fluid from the trough solar absorption device to a fluid storage tank at about the first temperature and subsequently delivering the heat transfer fluid from the tank to the tower solar absorption device.
26. A method according to claim 20 , further comprising delivering the heat transfer fluid at a third temperature from the power generator to a first fluid storage tank and delivering the heat transfer fluid from the first tank to the at least one trough solar absorption device.
27. A method according to claim 20 , further comprising delivering the heat transfer fluid from the tower solar absorption device at the second temperature to a second fluid storage tank and delivering the heat transfer fluid from the second tank to the power generator.
28. A method according to claim 20 wherein the heat transfer fluid is a molten salt.
29. A method according to claim 20 , further comprising circulating the heat transfer fluid continuously through the at least one trough solar absorption device, the tower solar absorption device, and the power generator.
30. A method according to claim 20 , further comprising generating steam in the power generator using thermal energy from the heat transfer fluid.
31. A method according to claim 30 wherein said generating step comprises cooling the heat transfer fluid in the power generator to a third temperature lower than the first temperature.
32. A method according to claim 31 wherein said generating step comprises cooling the heat transfer fluid to a temperature of between about 450° F. and 650° F.
33. A method according to claim 30 , further comprising rotating a turbine and an electrical generator with the steam from the steam generator and thereby generating electricity.