Solar receiver utilizing carbon nanotube infused coatings

Abstract

A solar receiver includes a heat absorbing element having an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface and a first coating including a carbon nanotube-infused fiber material in surface engagement with and at least partially covering the outer surface of the heat absorbing element. Solar radiation incident onto the first coating is received, absorbed, and converted to heat energy, and the heat energy is transferred from the first coating to the heat absorbing element. A multilayer coating for a solar receiver device includes a first coating that includes a CNT-infused fiber material and an environmental coating disposed on the first coating.

1 . A solar receiver comprising:
 a heat absorbing element having an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface; and   a first coating comprising a carbon nanotube-infused fiber material in surface engagement with and at least partially covering the outer surface of said heat absorbing element;   whereby solar radiation incident onto said first coating is received, absorbed, and converted to heat energy, and the heat energy is transferred from said first coating to said heat absorbing element.   
     
     
         2 . The solar receiver apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said heat absorbing element has a first end and a second end, wherein a heat transfer fluid enters said heat absorbing element at said first end and exits from said heat absorbing element at said second end. 
     
     
         3 . The solar receiver of  claim 1 , wherein said heat absorbing element comprises a heat pipe. 
     
     
         4 . The solar receiver of  claim 1 , wherein said heat absorbing element comprises a metal. 
     
     
         5 . The solar receiver of  claim 1 , wherein said heat absorbing element has grooves to sized accommodate said CNT-infused fiber material. 
     
     
         6 . The solar receiver of  claim 1 , wherein said CNT-infused fiber material comprises a carbon nanotube-infused fiber tow. 
     
     
         7 . The solar receiver of  claim 1 , further comprising an environmental coating integrated within said first coating to form a composite. 
     
     
         8 . The solar receiver of  claim 7 , wherein said environmental coating comprises a ceramic matrix material. 
     
     
         9 . The solar receiver of  claim 7  further comprising metal particles. 
     
     
         10 . The solar receiver of  claim 1 , further comprising an environmental coating disposed on said first coating, wherein said environmental coating comprises a low-emissivity coating. 
     
     
         11 . The solar receiver of  claim 1 , further comprising an environmental coating comprising a metal. 
     
     
         12 . The solar receiver of  claim 1 , further comprising an environmental coating comprising an anti-reflective material. 
     
     
         13 . The solar receiver of  claim 1 , further comprising an annulus surrounding said first coating and said heat absorbing element creating a gap. 
     
     
         14 . The solar receiver of  claim 13 , wherein the gap comprises air. 
     
     
         15 . The solar receiver of  claim 13 , wherein the gap is evacuated. 
     
     
         16 . The solar receiver apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus is configured to integrate with a power generation system. 
     
     
         17 . A multilayer coating for a solar receiver device comprising:
 a first coating comprising a CNT-infused fiber material; and   an environmental coating disposed on said first coating.   
     
     
         18 . The coating of  claim 17 , wherein said first coating further comprises a ceramic matrix. 
     
     
         19 . The coating of  claim 17 , wherein said first coating further comprises metal particles. 
     
     
         20 . The coating of  claim 17 , wherein said environmental coating comprises a metal film. 
     
     
         21 . The coating of  claim 17 , wherein said environmental coating comprises an anti-reflective coating. 
     
     
         22 . The coating of  claim 17 , wherein said environmental coating comprises a low emissivity coating.