Systems and Methods for Shielding Falling Particles within a Solar Thermal Falling Particle Receiver

Abstract

Systems and methods for falling particle receivers are disclosed that include shield or deflector structures around the receiver aperture to reduce wind effects and/or heat losses from the falling particles. External and internal structures are disclosed that can be tailored to reduce particle, thermal, and radiative losses from within the cavity receiver due to external wind and the falling particles that are irradiated within the receiver. Structures of varying shapes, sizes, and composition (transparent, reflective) are described.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A falling particle receiver, comprising:
 a housing comprising an aperture having a border surrounding the aperture, the aperture for receiving concentrated solar energy into an interior space of the housing; and   one or more structures attached to and protruding from the housing proximate to the aperture;   wherein the housing comprises an opening in a top portion of the housing for receiving a fluid that falls in a vertical direction through the housing; and   wherein the aperture is open to a direction perpendicular to vertical direction.   
     
     
         2 . The receiver of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more structures are panels adjacent to the border of the aperture. 
     
     
         3 . The receiver of  claim 1 , the one or more structures are a single structure that surround the aperture. 
     
     
         4 . The receiver of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more structures comprises a reflective surface having a solar reflectance greater than 50% of incident radiation. 
     
     
         5 . The receiver of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more structures reflects concentrated solar spillage that irradiates the one or more structures into the aperture. 
     
     
         6 . The receiver of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more structures protrudes into the interior space. 
     
     
         7 . The receiver of  claim 1 , wherein the orientation of at least one of the one or more structures is automatically controlled by a sensor and/or control system. 
     
     
         8 . The receiver of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more structures mitigate wind passing through the aperture. 
     
     
         9 . The receiver of  claim 1 , wherein proximate to aperture is upon the border. 
     
     
         10 . The receiver of  claim 1 , wherein proximate to the aperture is within one meter of the aperture. 
     
     
         11 . The receiver of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more structures is 4 structures that completely surround the aperture.