Concentrated solar power generation using solar receivers

Abstract

Inventive concentrated solar power systems using solar receivers, and related devices and methods, are generally described. Low pressure solar receivers are provided that function to convert solar radiation energy to thermal energy of a working fluid, e.g., a working fluid of a power generation or thermal storage system. In some embodiments, low pressure solar receivers are provided herein that are useful in conjunction with gas turbine based power generation systems.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 111 . (canceled) 
     
     
         112 . The solar receiver of  claim 264 , wherein the maximum allowable working pressure of the fluid chamber is equal to or less than 2 atm. 
     
     
         113 - 115 . (canceled) 
     
     
         116 . The solar receiver of  claim 264 , wherein the fluid chamber defines a recess within which an outer rim of the transparent object expandably fits, the recess being adjacent to the opening. 
     
     
         117 . The solar receiver of  claim 116 , wherein the flexible seal is positioned between the outer rim of the transparent object and an interface defined by the recess on the fluid chamber. 
     
     
         118 . The solar receiver of  claim 264 , wherein the flexible seal element is a room temperature vulcanizing (RTV) silicone or ceramic fiber rope. 
     
     
         119 . (canceled) 
     
     
         120 . The solar receiver of  claim 263 , wherein the solar absorber is a material selected from a group consisting of metals, stainless steels, ceramics, heat-resistant cast alloys, high-temperature metallic materials, refractory materials, thoria-dispersed alloys, graphite, and carbon-fiber-reinforced carbon-based materials. 
     
     
         121 . The solar receiver of  claim 263 , wherein the solar absorber is a wire mesh or constructed of a ceramic. 
     
     
         122 - 125 . (canceled) 
     
     
         126 . The solar receiver of  claim 263 , wherein the solar absorber has a honeycomb configuration. 
     
     
         127 . The solar receiver of  claim 263 , wherein the solar absorber comprises a black surface coating. 
     
     
         128 . The solar receiver of  claim 263 , wherein the solar absorber comprises a plurality of segments. 
     
     
         129 - 131 . (canceled) 
     
     
         132 . The solar receiver of  claim 263 , wherein the transparent object of the solar receiver has a substantially planar shape. 
     
     
         133 - 262 . (canceled) 
     
     
         263 . A solar receiver comprising:
 a fluid chamber comprising a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and an opening for receiving concentrated solar radiation;   a solar absorber housed within the fluid chamber; and   a transparent object that defines at least a portion of a wall of the fluid chamber;   wherein concentrated solar radiation received through the opening passes through the transparent object into the fluid chamber and impinges upon the solar absorber; and wherein the fluid chamber is constructed and arranged to have a maximum working pressure not exceeding 2 atmospheres as determined by a hydrostatic pressure test comprising:   assembling the solar receiver;   capping off the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet; and   
       pressurizing the fluid chamber until the fluid chamber can no longer maintain pressure; wherein a highest pressure maintained during the test without leakage is the maximum working pressure of the solar receiver. 
     
     
         264 . A solar receiver comprising:
 a fluid chamber comprising a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and an opening for receiving concentrated solar radiation;   a solar absorber housed within the fluid chamber; and   a transparent object forming a window of the fluid chamber, wherein a flexible seal provides a sealing connection between an interface on the fluid chamber and the transparent object;   wherein concentrated solar radiation received through the opening passes through the transparent object into the fluid chamber and impinges upon the solar absorber.   
     
     
         265 . The solar receiver of  claim 264 , wherein the solar absorber is constructed of one or more materials chosen from a ceramic, heat-resistant cast alloy, high-temperature metal, refractory material, thoria-dispersed alloy, graphite, and/or a carbon-fiber-reinforced carbon-based material. 
     
     
         266 . The solar receiver of  claim 264 , wherein the solar absorber is a wire mesh or is constructed of a ceramic. 
     
     
         267 . The solar receiver of  claim 264 , wherein the solar absorber has a honeycomb configuration. 
     
     
         268 . The solar receiver of  claim 264 , wherein the solar absorber comprises a black surface coating. 
     
     
         269 . The solar receiver of  claim 264 , wherein the solar absorber comprises a plurality of segments. 
     
     
         270 . The solar receiver of  claim 264 , wherein the transparent object of the solar receiver has a substantially planar shape. 
     
     
         271 . A solar receiver comprising:
 a fluid chamber comprising a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and an opening for receiving concentrated solar radiation;   a solar absorber housed within the fluid chamber;   a transparent object that defines at least a portion of a wall of the fluid chamber; and   a flange assembly for connecting the transparent object at the opening capable of operating at temperatures in the range of 1700 to 2000° F.,   wherein concentrated solar radiation received through the opening passes through the transparent object into the fluid chamber and impinges upon the solar absorber.   
     
     
         272 . The solar receiver of  claim 271 , wherein the solar absorber is constructed of one or more materials chosen from a ceramic, heat-resistant cast alloy, high-temperature metal, refractory material, thoria-dispersed alloy, graphite, and/or a carbon-fiber-reinforced carbon-based material. 
     
     
         273 . The solar receiver of  claim 271 , wherein the solar absorber is a wire mesh or is constructed of a ceramic. 
     
     
         274 . The solar receiver of  claim 271 , wherein the solar absorber has a honeycomb configuration. 
     
     
         275 . The solar receiver of  claim 271 , wherein the solar absorber comprises a black surface coating. 
     
     
         276 . The solar receiver of  claim 267 , wherein the solar absorber comprises a plurality of segments. 
     
     
         277 . The solar receiver of  claim 271 , wherein the transparent object of the solar receiver has a substantially planar shape. 
     
     
         278 . The solar receiver of  claim 271 , wherein the maximum allowable working pressure of the fluid chamber is equal to or less than 2 atm.