Deutsches Zentrum Fuer Luft-und Raumfahrt E.v

Manfred Boehmer

Bernhard Hoffschmidt

Peter Rietbrock

Robert Pitz-Paal

Peter Binner

Frank Deidewig

A concentrator for focusing solar radiation onto an elongate absorber, comprising a plurality of transverse supports arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction, stabilizing the concentrator in the transverse direction and defining the shape of the concentrator profile, and a thin-walled support structure resting on said transverse supports and having a plurality of adjacent longitudinally extending ribs stabilizing the concentrator in the longitudinal direction. In the transverse direction, the support structure adapts to the curved profile of the transverse supports and forms a light-weight and strong bearing for a reflector plate.

Concentrator for focusing solar radiation

A solar receiver (1) for a solar-thermal power plant, comprising a receiver surface (2) facing towards the concentrated incident solar radiation (8) and including a plurality of mutually spaced absorber bodies (3), is provided with gas channels arranged between the absorber bodies (3) for supplying a gas or gaseous mixture (11) adapted to absorb solar radiation (8) to a region located in front of the receiver surface (2). In this region, the gas (11) will absorb a part of the incident solar radiation (8) and then will be sucked together with the ambient air (9) through the absorber bodies (3) to be further heated therein.

Solar receiver

A trough-type parabolic concentrator (1) for a solar thermal power plant comprises a reflector plate (3) bent in trough shape and a support structure (4) for supporting the reflector plate (3) and comprising a plurality of wooden segments (2) arranged in a row in the longitudinal direction of the trough. Each segment (2) is assembled from a plurality of wooden frames (5). Using wooden frames (5) as the basic element of the supporting structure (4) allows for a lightweight, simple and low-cost structure of the trough-type parabolic concentrator (1).

Trough-type parabolic concentrator

A shutter (1; 10) for regulating the fluid flow in an absorber pipe (D) of a solar-thermal power plant comprises a shutter body (2) with a central shutter opening (3) for the fluid (F) and a movable throttle element (4; 12) at least partly closing the shutter opening (3; 11). The throttle element (4) is connected to a motion element (6) that is in thermal contact with the fluid (F) and changes its shape as a function of the fluid temperature so that in case of an increased temperature of the fluid (F), the opening cross section of the shutter opening (3; 11) is enlarged, whereby the mass flow of the fluid (F) increases and the temperature thereof drops.

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Lohmar, Germany

Manfred Boehmer