Method for collecting solar radiation and transforming it into heat energy

Abstract

A solar thermal collecting system captures solar radiation into a vessel containing an opaque or partially opaque fluid medium. The solar radiation is reflected and intensified using interior parabolic reflectors inside the vessel to generate hot zones throughout the fluid medium; and the generated heat in the fluid medium is transported to a separate system designed to utilize the heat with minimal heat loss. The system of the present invention comprises a vessel that contains the fluid medium. An at least partially transparent or translucent lid enables passage of solar radiation into the vessel. The lid may have integrated solar panels to generate power from solar radiation. Multiple reflective parabolic reflectors integrated in the vessel focus solar radiation throughout the fluid medium to create hot zones that intensifies heating the fluid medium. The vessel is resilient to withstand variances in pressure and temperature. After fluid medium absorbs heat, an insulated conduit transports the heated fluid medium for storage or other beneficial uses such as conversion to power with minimal heat loss.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of capturing solar radiation and transforming it into heat energy, the method comprising:
 at least partially filling a vessel with an at least partially opaque fluid medium defined by a predetermined thermal capacity, wherein the vessel is defined by an inner sidewall, an outer sidewall, and an opening, the inner and outer sidewalls forming a cavity, wherein the outer sidewall of the vessel is insulated;   covering the opening in the vessel by a transparent lid, wherein the lid enables passage of solar radiation into the cavity, further the lid may include integrated one or more solar panels to generate electrical power directly from the solar radiation;   exposing the at least partially opaque fluid medium to the solar radiation to heat the fluid medium;   intensifying the heat generated in the fluid medium by integrating multiple parabolic reflectors into the inner sidewall of the vessel, wherein the parabolic configuration of the reflectors creates one or more parabolic foci of solar radiation throughout the fluid medium that intensifies the heat being generated in the fluid medium so as to create hot zones in the fluid medium, the hot zones heating the fluid medium to the predetermined thermal capacity; and   supplying the heated fluid medium through a conduit to a second vessel for storage, wherein the conduit is insulated to minimize the amount of heat loss during transport of the fluid medium.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least partially opaque fluid medium is selected from the group consisting of: water, water and dye, water and black carbon, oil, ethylene glycol, and a liquid or gel having thermal capacity greater than 2 J/g C°. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the vessel is made of resilient material capable of withstanding variances in pressure and temperature generated in the fluid medium because of absorption of the solar radiation. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the solar panel is a photovoltaic cell. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid medium is moved through the system by using at least one pump. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises heating the fluid medium to a desired level in a boiler. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of reflectors comprise parabolic mirrors. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the vessel is insulated. 
     
     
         9 . A method of capturing solar radiation and transforming it into heat energy, the method comprising:
 at least partially filling a vessel with an at least partially opaque fluid medium comprising water mixed with carbon or dye so as to increase thermal absorption by increasing the thermal capacity of the medium to greater than 4.2 J/g C°, wherein the vessel is defined by an inner sidewall, an outer sidewall, and an opening, the sidewalls inner and outer sidewalls forming a cavity, wherein the outer sidewall of the vessel is insulated;   covering the opening in the vessel by a transparent lid, wherein the lid enables passage of solar radiation into the cavity, further the lid may include integrated one or more solar panels to generate electrical power directly from the solar radiation;   exposing the at least partially opaque fluid medium to the solar radiation to heat the fluid medium;   intensifying the heat generated in the fluid medium by integrating multiple parabolic reflectors into the inner sidewall of the vessel, wherein the parabolic configuration of the reflectors creates one or more parabolic foci of solar radiation throughout the fluid medium that intensifies the heat being generated in the fluid medium so as to create hot zones in the fluid medium, the hot zones heating the fluid medium to the predetermined thermal capacity; and   supplying the heated fluid medium through a conduit to a second vessel for storage, wherein the conduit is insulated to minimize the amount of heat loss during transport of the fluid medium.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the vessel is made of resilient material capable of withstanding variances in pressure and temperature generated in the fluid medium because of absorption of the solar radiation. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the solar panel is a photovoltaic cell. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the fluid medium is moved through the system by using at least one pump. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the method further comprises heating the fluid medium to a desired level in a boiler. 
     
     
         14 . A method of capturing solar radiation and transforming it into heat energy, the method comprising:
 at least partially filling a vessel with an at least partially opaque fluid medium defined by a predetermined thermal capacity, wherein the vessel is defined by an inner sidewall, an outer sidewall, and an opening, the inner and outer sidewalls forming a cavity, wherein the outer sidewall of the vessel is insulated;   covering the opening in the vessel by a transparent lid, wherein the lid enables passage of solar radiation into the cavity, further the lid may include integrated one or more solar panels to generate electrical power directly from the solar radiation;   exposing the at least partially opaque fluid medium to the solar radiation to heat the fluid medium;   intensifying the heat generated in the fluid medium by integrating multiple parabolic reflectors constructed of or coated with reflective material comprising reflective paint or foil, into the inner sidewall of the vessel, wherein the parabolic configuration of the reflectors creates one or more parabolic foci of solar radiation throughout the fluid medium that intensifies the heat being generated in the fluid medium so as to create hot zones in the fluid medium, the hot zones heating the fluid medium to the predetermined thermal capacity; and   supplying the heated fluid medium through a conduit to a second vessel for storage, wherein the conduit is insulated to minimize the amount of heat loss during transport of the fluid medium.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the partially opaque fluid medium comprises water mixed with carbon or dye so as to increase thermal absorption by increasing the thermal capacity of the medium to greater than 4.2 J/g C°. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the solar panel comprises a photovoltaic cell. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the vessel is made of a resilient material selected from capable of withstanding variances in pressure and temperature generated in the fluid medium because of absorption of the solar radiation.