Patent · US Active

Method for the natural-draught cooling of a solar concentration plant

US9086058B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
14References
5Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 18, 2010
Grant dateJul 21, 2015
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 18, 2030

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E10/46
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Method for the natural-draught cooling of a high-concentration thermoelectric solar plant that includes a central receiver or tower with a heliostat field, wherein the tower is used as a natural-draught cooling tower. The steam originating from the turbine will be made to circulate through a series of condensers located at the base of the tower, where said condensers condense the steam therein and discharge the condensation heat to the atmosphere. The fluid responsible for this heat exchange is the air at ambient temperature at the base of the tower. Once condensed, the steam is pumped back towards the receiver so that it can be re-used as a heat-transfer fluid. The cooling air travels up through the tower and exits through the highest part thereof. The plant can be used to reduce not only its own electricity consumption, but also water consumption.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.