Solar tube panel with dual-exposure heat absorption

Abstract

A dual-exposure heat absorption panel is disclosed, which can be used in a solar receiver design. Generally, the heat absorption panel includes a tube panel through which a heat transfer fluid is flowed to absorb solar energy from heliostats that are focused on the tube panel. A structural support frame surrounds the tube panel. A stiffener structure runs across the exposed faces of the tube panel. The headers and other support structures on the periphery are protected by use of a heat shield. Different tube couplings are possible with this structure, as well as different stiffening structures at the headers. The heat shield can be shaped to create an open space, permitting focusing of sunlight on the edge tubes as well. A curtain can be used as an additional heat shield in certain scenarios.

1 . A dual-exposure heat absorption panel, comprising:
 a tube panel comprising a plurality of vertical tubes for conveying a heat transfer fluid, wherein the tubes are interconnected by at least one upper header and at least one lower header, and wherein the tube panel has a first exposed face, an opposite second exposed face, an upper edge, a lower edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge; and   a structural support frame that runs along the upper edge, the first side edge, and the second side edge of the tube panel;   wherein at least one tube in the tube panel is connected to the at least one upper header or the at least one lower header by a repair coupling surrounding the at least one tube and a prior header tube stub.   
     
     
         2 . The dual-exposure panel of  claim 1 , wherein the repair coupling is behind heat shields mounted to the structural support frame and is not exposed to direct sunlight. 
     
     
         3 . The dual-exposure panel of  claim 1 , further comprising a first stiffener structure running from the first side edge to the second side edge across the first exposed face and the second exposed face of the tube panel at a first support elevation. 
     
     
         4 . The dual-exposure panel of  claim 3 , wherein the stiffener structure is formed from a first support assembly and a second support assembly, each support assembly including:
 a support tube;   a horizontal flange extending from the support tube and having a slot therein; and   a scallop bar engaging one or more vertical tubes of the tube panel and having at least one lug, the scallop bar engaging the horizontal flange by a pin passing through the at least one lug and the slot of the horizontal flange.   
     
     
         5 . The dual-exposure panel of  claim 4 , wherein the support tube of each support assembly has a different diameter from any tube in the tube panel. 
     
     
         6 . The dual-exposure panel of  claim 3 , further comprising a second stiffener structure running from the first side edge to the second side edge across the first exposed face and the second exposed face of the tube panel at a second support elevation. 
     
     
         7 . The dual-exposure panel of  claim 6 , wherein the first support elevation and the second support elevation are not located at a middle section of the tube panel. 
     
     
         8 . A dual-exposure heat absorption panel, comprising:
 a tube panel comprising a plurality of vertical tubes for conveying a heat transfer fluid, wherein the tubes are interconnected by at least one upper header and at least one lower header, and wherein the tube panel has a first exposed face, an opposite second exposed face, an upper edge, a lower edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge; and   a structural support frame that runs along the upper edge, the first side edge, and the second side edge of the tube panel;   wherein the tube panel includes at least one tube joined to a header tube stub on either the at least one upper header or the at least one lower header, an exterior diameter of the header tube stub being greater than a central exterior diameter of the at least one tube.   
     
     
         9 . The dual-exposure panel of  claim 8 , wherein an interior diameter of the at least one tube is the same as an interior diameter of the header tube stub. 
     
     
         10 . A dual-exposure heat absorption panel, comprising:
 a tube panel comprising a plurality of vertical tubes for conveying a heat transfer fluid, wherein the tubes are interconnected by at least one upper header and at least one lower header, and wherein the tube panel has a first exposed face, an opposite second exposed face, an upper edge, a lower edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge; and   a structural support frame that runs along the upper edge, the first side edge, and the second side edge of the tube panel;   the structural support frame including a first heat shield framing the first exposed face of the tube panel, an open space being present between the first heat shield and the tube panel.   
     
     
         11 . A dual-exposure heat absorption panel, comprising:
 a tube panel comprising a plurality of vertical tubes for conveying a heat transfer fluid, wherein the tubes are interconnected by at least one upper header and at least one lower header, and wherein the tube panel has a first exposed face, an opposite second exposed face, an upper edge, a lower edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge; and   a structural support frame that runs along the upper edge, the first side edge, and the second side edge of the tube panel;   wherein the structural support frame includes a first heat shield framing the first exposed face of the tube panel, the first heat shield including an upper face, a first side face, and a second side face;   a curtain on the upper face of the first heat shield above the tube panel; and   means for guiding the curtain located on the first side face and the second side face of the heat shield.   
     
     
         12 . The dual-exposure panel of  claim 11 , wherein the curtain has a length sufficient to cover the entirety of the tube panel. 
     
     
         13 . The dual-exposure panel of  claim 11 , wherein the means for guiding includes rails or cables. 
     
     
         14 . The dual-exposure panel of  claim 11 , wherein a bottom edge of the curtain includes weights.