IP Library Granted Patent US 9,957,954
Granted Patent B2
US 9,957,954 · App. 14/964,185 · Granted May 1, 2018

Solar thermal power generation system

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,957,954
App. No.
14/964,185
Granted
May 1, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

The object is to simplify systems in a solar thermal power generation plant and thereby provide a solar thermal power generation system achieving reduction in the construction cost and the power generation cost. The solar thermal power generation system comprises: a solar heat collection device which collects solar heat and thereby heats up molten salt as a primary heat medium; a solar heat accumulation/radiation device including a low-temperature tank which stores molten salt to be supplied to the solar heat collection device, a high-temperature tank which stores high-temperature molten salt heated by the solar heat collection device, and a secondary heat medium heater which heats up a secondary heat medium by using the high-temperature molten salt supplied from the high-temperature tank as a heating medium; and a compressor/high-temperature turbine power generation device including a compressor which generates compressed air as the secondary heat medium by compressing air taken in from the atmosphere to a prescribed pressure and a high-temperature air turbine which drives a generator by taking in the compressed air heated by the secondary heat medium heater.

Claims (23)

1. A solar thermal power generation system comprising:

a solar heat collection device which collects solar heat and thereby heats up molten salt as a primary heat medium;

a solar heat accumulation/radiation device including a low-temperature tank which stores molten salt to be supplied to the solar heat collection device, a high-temperature tank which stores high-temperature molten salt heated by the solar heat collection device, and a secondary heat medium heater which heats up a secondary heat medium by using the high-temperature molten salt supplied from the high-temperature tank as a heating medium; and

a compressor/high-temperature turbine power generation device including a compressor which generates compressed air as the secondary heat medium by compressing air taken in from the atmosphere to a prescribed pressure, a high-temperature air turbine which drives a generator by taking in the compressed air heated by the secondary heat medium heater, and a line connected to the at least one compressor and the high-temperature air turbine;

an electric motor which drives the at least one compressor;

an inverter which supplies power to the electric motor, wherein the electric motor receives revolution speed control from the inverter;

a bypass system which leads the compressed air heated by the secondary heat medium heater to a high-temperature air turbine exhaust header pipe while bypassing the high-temperature air turbine, the bypass system being branched from the line;

a bypass valve for adjusting flow rate of the compressed air flowing through the bypass system;

an inlet valve for adjusting flow rate of the compressed air flowing into the high-temperature air turbine; and

a control unit regulating the flow rate and pressure of the compressed air to be introduced to the high-temperature air turbine at predetermined values by adjusting open angles of the bypass valve and the inlet valve.

2. The solar thermal power generation system according to claim 1 , wherein the compressor/high-temperature turbine power generation device includes:

the compressor which compresses air taken in from the atmosphere;

an intercooler which cools down the compressed air discharged from the compressor; and

another compressor which takes in the compressed air cooled down by the intercooler and compresses the cooled air to a prescribed pressure.

3. The solar thermal power generation system according to claim 1 , further comprising a regenerator which is arranged upstream of a channel on the secondary heat medium side of the secondary heat medium heater and heats up the compressed air by using exhaust air from the high-temperature air turbine as a heating medium.

4. The solar thermal power generation system according to claim 1 , wherein a drier which dries intake air by removing water vapor in the intake air is arranged on the air intake side of the compressor for compressing the air taken in from the atmosphere.

5. The solar thermal power generation system according to claim 1 , wherein a carbon dioxide removal unit which removes carbon dioxide from intake air is arranged on the air intake side of the compressor for compressing the air taken in from the atmosphere.

6. The solar thermal power generation system according to claim 2 , comprising:

a first electric motor which drives the compressor;

a first inverter which supplies power to the first electric motor;

a second electric motor which drives the other compressor; and

a second inverter which supplies power to the second electric motor,

wherein the first and second electric motors receive revolution speed control from the first and second inverters, respectively.

Assignments (3)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVING PATENT APPLICATION NUMBER 11921683 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 054975 FRAME: 0438. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded May 26, 2023
From: MITSUBISHI HITACHI POWER SYSTEMS, LTD.
To: MITSUBISHI POWER, LTD.
Reel/Frame 063787/0867 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 13, 2021
From: MITSUBISHI HITACHI POWER SYSTEMS, LTD.
To: MITSUBISHI POWER, LTD.
Reel/Frame 054975/0438 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 10, 2015
From: MISHIMA, NOBUYOSHI; NAGAFUCHI, NAOYUKI
To: MITSUBISHI HITACHI POWER SYSTEMS, LTD.
Reel/Frame 037264/0090 →