Supercritical Flat Panel Collector and Methods of Use

Abstract

A high efficiency flat panel collector is disclosed using an integral supercritical heat transfer, and a series of fail-safe mechanisms. Using the preferred configuration with solar concentrators and integral energy conversion devices, including the further preferred utilization of ionic liquids or ionic liquid polymers as the working fluid in the system, achieves optimal total energy efficiency. Strategic use of the flat panel collector can further yield enhanced functionality of mechanical pumps, heat pumps, and expansion energy transformation devices.

1 . A supercritical flat panel thermal collector wherein the flat panel thermal collector is comprised of supercritical heat transfer fluids with at least one benefit as compared to non-supercritical flat panel thermal collectors selected from the group consisting of a maximum surface tension of 20 dynes/cm, a heat transfer fluid pipe diameter of less than 3000 microns resulting in reduced peak surface collector temperatures yielding benefits including reduced thermal losses, superior heat transfer, and elimination of heat transfer fluid freezing up to at least −40 degrees Fahrenheit. 
   
   
       2 . A supercritical flat panel thermal collector comprised of a heat transfer fluid operating at pressures greater than 300 psi and at least one device selected from the group consisting of an integral fail-safe valve and thermal diode to limit heat transfer fluid losses during the occurrence of a heat transfer fluid leak or to transfer thermal load to an alternative heat sink. 
   
   
       3 . A supercritical collector comprised of a heat transfer fluid selected from the group of a transcritical or supercritical gas and at least one fluid selected from the group consisting of ionic liquids or ionic liquid polymer operating at pressures greater than 300 psi. 
   
   
       4 . A flat panel heat exchanger comprised of a series of microchannel heat exchangers integrated into at least one flat surface whereby the heat exchanger has a temperature differential across the entire surface of less than 10 degrees Fahrenheit and whereby the flat panel is operated as device selected from the group consisting of structural elements, floor panels, wall panels, fencing, roofing, ceiling tiles, or architectural elements and structures. 
   
   
       5 . The supercritical flat panel thermal collector according to  claim 1  is further comprised of both a thermal barrier coating on the non-solar facing side and a solar absorber coating on the solar-facing side. 
   
   
       6 . The supercritical flat panel thermal collector according to  claim 1  wherein the flat panel collector is configured to operate as a falling film heat exchanger. 
   
   
       7 . The supercritical flat panel thermal collector according to  claim 1  wherein the flat panel collector is further comprised of internal layers to separate heat transfer fluids consisting of at least two components into at least two distinct flows. 
   
   
       8 . The supercritical flat panel thermal collector according to  claim 1  further comprised of at least one energy conversion device selected from the group consisting of a solar photovoltaic or thermionics device whereby the thermal collector provides both active cooling of energy conversion device and higher energy efficiency. 
   
   
       9 . The supercritical flat panel thermal collector according to claim  claim 1  wherein the flat panel collector is further comprised of microchannels having channel widths of less than 10 microns. 
   
   
       10 . The supercritical flat panel thermal collector according to  claim 1  wherein the supercritical flat panel thermal collector has a surface temperature differential less than 10 degrees Fahrenheit across the entire surface. 
   
   
       11 . The supercritical flat panel thermal collector according to  claim 1  wherein the supercritical flat panel thermal collector has a surface temperature differential less than 5 degrees Fahrenheit across the entire surface. 
   
   
       12 . The supercritical flat panel thermal collector according to  claim 1  wherein the supercritical flat panel thermal collector has at least a 10 percent reduction in radiation losses compared to a non-supercritical flat panel thermal collector. 
   
   
       13 . The supercritical flat panel thermal collector according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least two distinct flows are separated by methods including methods selected from the group consisting of density, molecular weight, and immiscibility variations. 
   
   
       14 . The supercritical flat panel thermal collector according to  claim 1  wherein the supercritical flat panel thermal collector is further comprised of a heat transfer fluid consisting of at least an ionic liquid or ionic liquid polymer, and a supercritical gas. 
   
   
       15 . The supercritical flat panel thermal collector according to  claim 1  wherein the supercritical flat panel thermal collector heat transfer fluid enters the top internal layer when the heat transfer fluid is being heated. 
   
   
       16 . The supercritical flat panel thermal collector according to  claim 1  wherein the supercritical flat panel thermal collector heat transfer fluid enters the bottom internal layer when the heat transfer fluid is being cooled. 
   
   
       17 . The supercritical flat panel thermal collector according to  claim 1  wherein the supercritical flat panel thermal collector is utilized as a thermally driven mechanical pump. 
   
   
       18 . The supercritical flat panel thermal collector according to  claim 1  wherein the supercritical flat panel thermal collector desorption cycle drives a mechanical pump and concurrently the absorption cycle heats a heat transfer fluid. 
   
   
       19 . The supercritical flat panel thermal collector according to  claim 1  is further comprised of at least one of a photon to electron and a phonon to electron energy conversion device. 
   
   
       20 . The supercritical flat panel thermal collector according to  claim 1  is further comprised of a solar concentrator. 
   
   
       21 . The supercritical flat panel thermal collector according to  claim 19  wherein the at least one of a photon to electron and a phonon to electron energy conversion device is a concentrated energy conversion device. 
   
   
       22 . The supercritical flat panel thermal collector according to  claim 1  is further comprised of an integral temperature sensor. 
   
   
       23 . The supercritical flat panel thermal collector according to  claim 1  is further comprised of a dynamic system controller to vary heat transfer fluid to maintain an exit temperature less than a maximum energy conversion safety temperature and higher than a minimum thermal demand temperature. 
   
   
       24 . The supercritical flat panel thermal collector according to  claim 1  is further comprised of integral thermal barrier layers to limit thermal heat losses. 
   
   
       25 . The supercritical flat panel thermal collector according to  claim 1  wherein the supercritical flat panel thermal collector is an integral component of a mechanical vapor compression heat pump system. 
   
   
       26 . The supercritical flat panel thermal collector according to  claim 25  wherein the mechanical vapor compression heat pump concurrently achieves temperature lift of heat transfer fluid and a reduction in supercritical flat panel thermal collector thermal losses. 
   
   
       27 . The supercritical flat panel thermal collector according to  claim 20  is further comprised of an integral housing for the safe storage of the supercritical flat panel thermal collector. 
   
   
       28 . The supercritical flat panel thermal collector according to  claim 20  wherein the solar concentrator is further comprised of a fail-safe heat sink. 
   
   
       29 . The supercritical flat panel thermal collector according to  claim 1  is further comprised of an integral fail-safe thermal diode to transfer thermal load to an alternative heat sink. 
   
   
       30 . The supercritical flat panel thermal collector according to  claim 1  is further comprised of an integral fail-safe valve to limit heat transfer fluid losses in the during the occurrence of a heat transfer fluid leak. 
   
   
       31 . The supercritical flat panel thermal collector according to  claim 2  wherein the fail-safe valve operates under normal conditions to pulse the heat transfer fluid into the supercritical flat panel thermal collector. 
   
   
       32 . The supercritical flat panel thermal collector according to  claim 1  wherein the supercritical flat panel thermal collector's shape is modified to become an integral architectural element.