Title of Invention

"A SOLAR COLLECTOR ARRAY (SCA) BASED ON PARABOLIC TROUGH REFLECTORS"

Abstract This invention relates to a solar collector array based on parabolic trough reflectors comprising inlet and outlet identical rows of parabolic trough reflectors (9, 10) and heat collection element being provided along the focal line of the said parabolic trough collectors, characterized in that the said inlet and outlet rows of parabolic trough collectors being mounted one over the other, in a double storey configuration and connected by a loop connection pipe (12) and fitted with a common structure (13) placed on pylons (4), a sun tracking system (15) being provided at one end and the said inlet and outlet rows of parabolic trough collectors being connected to the respective headers (16, 17), the loop connection pipes being supported with support (18) and heat collection elements being supported with support (19).
Full Text FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to a solar collector array (SCA) based on parabolic trough reflectors. The solar collector array find applications in process heat and solar thermal power generation.
PRIOR ART
Conventional solar collector array (SCA) (fig. 1) based on parabolic trough reflectors comprise of parabolic trough reflectors (1) mounted on structure (2) which itself is mounted on pylons (3). Heat collection element (HCE) (4) is fixed along the focal line of the said parabolic trough reflectors with rigid support (5). The assembly rotates according to the relative position of the assembly w.r.t. the direction of solar rays, using tracking system (6) provided at one end of the assembly. Heat transfer fluid inlet row is connected with a loop connecting pipeline (7) to the Heat transfer fluid outlet row to complete one loop. The inlet and outlet rolls are connected to respective heat transfer fluid headers (8). Such assemblies track the sun as per signals received from the said sun
sensor to the tracking system (6) through a control system. The solar radiations concentrated by parabolic trough reflectors (1) fall on the heat collection element placed along the focal line of the parabolic trough reflectors and therefore heat the fluid that circulates through the heat collection element, thus transforming the solar radiation into thermal energy.
A limitation of the above assembly is that reflector packing factor of such assembly is only 29% of the land used i.e. it collects only 29% of solar radiation falling over the land required for system.
Another drawback of the above assembly is that it requires 17.3m long loop connecting pipe to form one loop. Besides, there is requirement of header pipeline (8). The requirement of lengthy loop connecting pipeline (7) header pipeline (8) results in more heat losses necessitating more insulation material. The requirement of insulation for pipeline as well as the material cost for pipeline the pipes increase the cost of plant.
Another disadvantage of conventional SCA is that it requires 8 nos. of pylons, 2 sun sensors, 2 tracking and control systems, in addition to cable network.
UA Patent No. 4,297,003 discloses solar collector module comprising an extended width parabolic trough collector support from pylons. The collector is formed by a center module and two wing modules which are joined together along abutting edges by connecting means.
A drawback of the above patent is that the SCA is in single storey configuration and has therefore same disadvantages as described above for conventional SCA.
US Patent No. 3,985,119 discloses a solar energy collector array system providing a mechanically oriented parabolic trough direct radiation collector having along the focal line a portion of a first fluid conduit system and outside the focal line, a portion of a second fluid conduit system.
As the above SCA is also based on single storey configuration and has therefore same disadvantages as described above for conventional SCA.
OBJECTS OF PRESENT INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to propose a solar collector array (SCA) based on parabolic trough reflectors.
Another object of the present invention is to propose a SCA which incorporates arrangement of circulating oil outgoing row over the incoming row of parabolic trough collectors and heat collection elements in a double storey configuration on the common structure.
Still another object of the present invention is to propose a solar collector array (SCA) with enhanced reflector packing factor from the existing level of 29.4% to 38.4%, which means that it collects more solar radiations per unit area of land.
Still another object of the present invention is to propose a SCA which reduces heat losses by substantially reducing the length of connecting pipelines to the extent of 65% and header pipelines to the extent of 29%.
Further object of the present invention is to propose a SCA which reduces the investment costs by groups the use of allied equipments like sun sensors, tracking system, controls and power cables, less steel required for supporting the reflectors per unit area, pylons, etc. The reduction achieved in quantity of allied equipments is to the extent of 50%.
Still further object of the present invention is to provide a SCA which increases power generation per unit area by 35%.
Even further object of the present invention is to provide a SCA which results in saving in civil and structural works to the extent of 20%.
Yet further object of the present invention is to provide SCA which leads to reduction in capital cost to the extent of 20%.STATEMENT OF INVENTION
According to this invention there is provided a solar collector array based on parabolic trough reflectors comprising inlet and outlet identical rows of parabolic trough reflectors (9, 10) and heat collection element being provided along the focal line of the said parabolic trough collectors, characterized in that the said inlet and outlet rows of parabolic trough collectors being mounted one over the other, in a double storey configuration and connected by a loop connection pipe (12) and fitted with a common structure (13) placed on pylons (4), a sun tracking system (15) being provided at one end and the said inlet and outlet rows of parabolic trough collectors being connected to the respective headers (16, 17), the loop connection pipes being supported with support (18) and heat collection elements being supported with support (19).
DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
The invention is illustrated with accompanying drawings which are intended to illustrate an embodiment of the present invention. These
drawings are not intended to be taken restrictively to imply any
limitation on the scope of the present invention. In the accompanying
drawings: -
Fig.l:- shows the conventional Solar Collector Array, based on parabolic
trough reflectors;
Fig.2:- shows one loop of Solar Collector Array based on parabolic trough
reflectors, as per the present invention;
DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION W.R.T. DRAWINGS
Referring to Fig.2, the solar collector array of the present invention comprises incoming and outgoing rows of identical parabolic trough reflectors (9,10) which have their respective heat collection elements (11) fitted along their focal lines. The parabolic trough collectors used have the construction as disclosed in co-pending patent application No. 1140/DEL/2004. The heat collection elements have construction as disclosed in co-pending patent application No. 1159/DEL/2004. The above two rows of parabolic trough reflectors are mounted in double storey configuration and are connected by a loop connection pipe (12). These are fitted with the common structure (13) and are placed on the
pylons (14). A sun tracking sytemt (15) is provided at one end and the inlet and outlet rows are connected to the respective headers (16,17). The support (18) provides support to the said loop connection pipe whereas support (19) provides support to the said heat collection element.
It is to be understood that the system of present invention is susceptible to modifications, changes and adaptations by those skilled in the art. Such modifications, changes and adaptations are intended to be within the scope of the present invention, which is further set forth under the following claims:























WE CLAIM:
1. A solar collector array based on parabolic trough reflectors
comprising inlet and outlet identical rows of parabolic trough
reflectors (9, 10) and heat collection element being provided along
the focal line of the said parabolic trough collectors, characterized
in that the said inlet and outlet rows of parabolic trough collectors
being mounted one over the other, in a double storey configuration
and connected by a loop connection pipe (12) and fitted with a
common structure (13) placed on pylons (4), a sun tracking system
(15) being provided at one end and the said inlet and outlet rows of
parabolic trough collectors being connected to the respective
headers (16, 17), the loop connection pipes being supported with
support (18) and heat collection elements being supported with
support (19).
2. A solar collector array based on parabolic trough reflectors as substantially described and illustrated herein.

Documents:

1270-DEL-2004-Abstract-(09-07-2010).pdf

1270-DEL-2004-Abstract-(13-12-2010).pdf

1270-del-2004-abstract.pdf

1270-DEL-2004-Claims-(01-11-2010).pdf

1270-del-2004-Claims-(04-11-2010).pdf

1270-DEL-2004-Claims-(09-07-2010).pdf

1270-DEL-2004-Claims-(13-12-2010).pdf

1270-del-2004-claims.pdf

1270-DEL-2004-Correspondence-Others-(01-11-2010).pdf

1270-del-2004-Correspondence-Others-(04-11-2010).pdf

1270-DEL-2004-Correspondence-Others-(09-07-2010).pdf

1270-DEL-2004-Correspondence-Others-(13-12-2010).pdf

1270-DEL-2004-Correspondence-Others-(14-07-2010).pdf

1270-del-2004-Correspondence-Others-(25-04-2011).pdf

1270-del-2004-correspondence-others.pdf

1270-del-2004-correspondence-po.pdf

1270-DEL-2004-Description (Complete)-(09-07-2010).pdf

1270-DEL-2004-Description (Complete)-(13-12-2010).pdf

1270-del-2004-description (complete).pdf

1270-DEL-2004-Drawings-(14-07-2010).pdf

1270-del-2004-drawings.pdf

1270-del-2004-form-1.pdf

1270-del-2004-form-18.pdf

1270-del-2004-form-2.pdf

1270-DEL-2004-GPA-(09-07-2010).pdf

1270-del-2004-gpa.pdf


Patent Number 249115
Indian Patent Application Number 1270/DEL/2004
PG Journal Number 40/2011
Publication Date 07-Oct-2011
Grant Date 30-Sep-2011
Date of Filing 09-Jul-2004
Name of Patentee THE SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF NON-CONVENTIONAL ENERGY SOURCES
Applicant Address MINISTRY OF NON-CONVENTINAL ENERGY SOURCES, BLOCK 14, C.G.O. COMPLEX, LODHI ROAD, NEW DELHI-110003
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 RADHEY SHAYAM SHARMA SOLAR ENERGY CENTRE, MINISTRY OF NON-CONVENTINAL ENERGY SOURCE, VILLAGE AND P.O.-GWALPAHARI, GURGOAN, (HARYANA)
PCT International Classification Number H01L 25/00
PCT International Application Number N/A
PCT International Filing date
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 NA