Solar based energy conversion apparatus

Abstract

A solar energy conversion apparatus including a solar collection apparatus configured for tracking the sun, a first loop array for channeling a first heat transfer fluid to and from a fluid reservoir operating as a heat sink, a second loop array for channeling a second heat transfer fluid to and from the fluid reservoir for interfacing via a heat exchanger therewith, a third loop array for channeling a third heat transfer fluid to and from the fluid reservoir for interfacing via a heat exchanger therewith.

1 . An energy conversion system comprising a first reservoir for holding a first heat transfer fluid wherein the fluid located in the first reservoir defines a thermal mass; a parabolic solar collection apparatus including an absorber pipe; a first loop array including first piping configured for circulating a first heat transfer fluid in a cyclical manner from the first reservoir through the absorber pipe and back to the first reservoir; a second loop array including second piping, the second piping including a first heat exchange portion located within the first reservoir wherein the first heat transfer fluid is substantially prevented from directly contacting fluid in the second loop array, the second loop array configured for circulating a second heat transfer fluid from the first heat exchange portion to a first use application and back to the first heat exchange portion; a third loop array including third piping, the third piping including a second heat exchange portion located within the first reservoir wherein the first heat transfer fluid is substantially prevented from directly contacting fluid in the third loop array, the third loop array configured for circulating water from the second heat exchange portion to a second use application and, to the extent water is not removed from the third loop array, back to the second heat exchange portion, wherein the energy conversion system is configured for transferring heat energy from the parabolic solar collection apparatus to the first heat transfer fluid, transferring heat energy from the first heat transfer fluid through the first heat exchange portion to the second heat transfer fluid in the second loop array, and transferring heat energy from the first heat transfer fluid through the second heat exchange portion to the water in the third loop array. 
     
     
         2 . The energy conversion system of  claim 1  wherein the first use application further comprises an air treatment apparatus configured for receiving heat energy from the second heat transfer fluid as the second heat transfer fluid circulates through the second loop array. 
     
     
         3 . The energy conversion system of  claim 1  wherein first heat transfer fluid and the second heat transfer fluid comprise substantially the same fluid composition. 
     
     
         4 . The energy conversion system of  claim 1  further comprising a solar control system for controlling the mechanical behavior of the parabolic solar collection apparatus including the positioning of the solar collection apparatus relative to the sun, the first control system comprising a motor and a solar system controller, wherein the motor is actuated by one or more actuation commands from the solar system controller. 
     
     
         5 . The energy conversion system of  claim 1  further comprising a first pump for pumping the first heat transfer fluid through the first loop array; and a second pump for pumping the second heat transfer fluid through the second loop array. 
     
     
         6 . The energy conversion system of  claim 1  wherein the third loop array is in selective fluid communication with fluid from an external water source for supplying make up water to the third loop array. 
     
     
         7 . The energy conversion system of  claim 1  wherein the first reservoir is configured to hold between about 250 gallons to about 1000 gallons of the first heat transfer fluid. 
     
     
         8 . The energy conversion system of  claim 1  wherein the first heat transfer fluid is maintained at a temperature of at least about 120° F. and no more than about 200° F. 
     
     
         9 . The energy conversion system of  claim 1  wherein the first heat transfer fluid is maintained at a temperature of at least about 180° F. and no more than about 200° F. 
     
     
         10 . The energy conversion system of  claim 1  wherein the first reservoir is located at least about six feet below ground level to minimize heat energy loss. 
     
     
         11 . The energy conversion system of  claim 1  comprising a parabolic solar collection apparatus selected from the group consisting of a parabolic trough solar collection apparatus and a parabolic dish solar collection apparatus. 
     
     
         12 . The energy conversion system of  claim 1  wherein the first reservoir further comprises a concrete layer substantially surrounding the thermal mass, the concrete layer having an average thickness ranging from about two inches to about six inches; and a polymeric layer substantially surrounding the concrete layer, the polymeric layer having an average thickness ranging from about two inches to about six inches. 
     
     
         13 . The energy conversion system of  claim 3  wherein the fluid composition comprises a heat transfer fluid selected from the group consisting of water, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and one or more combinations thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The energy conversion apparatus of  claim 4  further comprising a temperature sensor attached adjacent the first reservoir wherein the solar control system monitors and controls the temperature of the thermal mass within the first reservoir based at least in part on one or more commands from the solar system controller to the first pump. 
     
     
         15 . The energy conversion apparatus of  claim 5  further comprising a first loop control system comprising a physical condition sensor attached adjacent the first loop array and a first loop controller in communication with the physical condition sensor and the first pump wherein the first loop control system is configured for transmission of one or more action commands from the first loop controller to the first pump in response to the detection of one or more pre-defined triggering conditions sensed by the physical condition sensor, the second control system for controlling the temperature of the thermal mass within the first reservoir. 
     
     
         16 . The energy conversion system of  claim 6  wherein the third loop array further comprises a temperature control valve for selectively mixing water cycling through the third loop array and water introduced from the external water source. 
     
     
         17 . The energy conversion apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the first loop control system further comprises command logic for directing a backup heating system to engage if the temperature of the thermal mass falls below a predefined temperature lower limit. 
     
     
         18 . The energy conversion apparatus of  claim 15  further comprising a solar control system for controlling the mechanical behavior of the parabolic solar collection apparatus including the positioning of the solar collection apparatus relative to the sun, the first control system comprising a motor and a computer processor, wherein the motor is actuated by one or more actuation commands from the computer processor. 
     
     
         19 . The energy conversion apparatus of  claim 18  further comprising a second loop control system for controlling the physical conditions associated with the first use application by controlling the flow of the second heat transfer fluid through the second loop array, the second loop control system comprising a second loop controller, the second pump, and a thermostat wherein the second loop control system is configured for transmission of one or more action commands from the second loop controller to the second pump in response to the detection of one or more pre-defined triggering conditions sensed by the thermostat. 
     
     
         20 . The energy conversion apparatus of  claim 19  wherein the third loop array is in selective fluid communication with fluid from an external water source for supplying make up water to the third loop array and wherein the third loop array further comprises a temperature control valve for selectively mixing water cycling through the third loop array and water introduced from the external water source.