Abstract: A solar receiver heat transfer pressurized fluid system includes: a pressure relief valve; and a trapping device for separating liquid droplets from a pressurized gas released by the pressure relief valve and to capture the liquid droplets. The trapping device includes: a horizontal pipe; a liquid trap element extending from the horizontal pipe for catching separated liquid droplets; and a vertical exhaust pipe connected to the horizontal pipe substantially in a perpendicular manner and having an open end for discharging in atmosphere the pressurized gas released by the pressure relief valve. The horizontal pipe includes a first connection means for removably connecting at a first end to the pressure relief valve and a second connection means for removably connecting at a second end to the liquid trap element. The vertical exhaust pipe is connected to the horizontal pipe between the first end removably connectable to the pressure relief valve.

Abstract: A dynamic corrosion and degradation testing installation is provided. The installation includes a tank for heating and storing, in use, a fluid at a given temperature. The installation further includes a looped circuit including a pipe containing the fluid during one or more tests, having a first end and a second end both connected to the tank. The installation also includes a pump for circulating the fluid in the pipe and multiple test stands located at different locations along the pipe. Each test stand including a sample holder or testing chamber holding, in use, a solid sample in contact with the fluid and a heater and configured to heat the sample holder. Each test stand includes the sample holder to hold the solid sample in a specific portion of the pipe. The specific portions of the pipe having the functionality of a test chamber and containing the fluid.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes: a first straight section; a second straight section; and a bent section or elbow linking the first straight section and the second straight section. Each straight section comprises a part of an internal cylindrical shell and of an external cylindrical shell, both cooperating to form an intershell space enclosing a bundle of parallel U-bent tubes having each a first and a second straight part respectively located in the first straight section and second straight section of the exchanger and a 180°-bent part located in the bent section or elbow of the exchanger, so that, in use, a first fluid to be heated and vaporized is flowing in the tubes. The external cylindrical shell is provided respectively at one end with an inlet and at another end with an outlet for a second fluid which is a hot thermal fluid.

Abstract: A concentrated solar power (CSP) plant includes: a plurality of heliostats or a heliostat field; a substantially cylindrical solar energy receiver located atop a central tower and having an external surface covered with receiver panels and a heat shield adjacent the solar receiver, the heliostats reflecting solar energy to the external surface of the receiver, each receiver panel including a plurality of heat exchanger tubes configured to transport a heat transfer fluid, which are partly exposed on the external surface of the receiver; and a thermo-mechanical monitoring system for ensuring integrity of the solar receiver panel tubes in operation. The thermomechanical monitoring system includes at least: a plurality of thermal imaging devices located on ground and mounted each on a securing and orienting device, for measuring infrared radiation emitted by the external surface of the receiver and providing a panel temperature-dependent signal in an area of the external surface.

Abstract: A solar receiver heat transfer pressurized fluid system includes: a pressure relief valve; and a trapping device for separating liquid droplets from a pressurized gas released by the pressure relief valve and to capture the liquid droplets. The trapping device includes: a horizontal pipe; a liquid trap element extending from the horizontal pipe for catching separated liquid droplets; and a vertical exhaust pipe connected to the horizontal pipe substantially in a perpendicular manner and having an open end for discharging in atmosphere the pressurized gas released by the pressure relief valve. The horizontal pipe includes a first connection means for removably connecting at a first end to the pressure relief valve and a second connection means for removably connecting at a second end to the liquid trap element. The vertical exhaust pipe is connected to the horizontal pipe between the first end removably connectable to the pressure relief valve.

Abstract: A concentrated solar power (CSP) plant includes: a plurality of heliostats or a heliostat field; a substantially cylindrical solar energy receiver located atop a central tower and having an external surface covered with receiver panels and a heat shield adjacent the solar receiver, the heliostats reflecting solar energy to the external surface of the receiver, each receiver panel including a plurality of heat exchanger tubes configured to transport a heat transfer fluid, which are partly exposed on the external surface of the receiver; and a thermo-mechanical monitoring system for ensuring integrity of the solar receiver panel tubes in operation. The thermomechanical monitoring system includes at least: a plurality of thermal imaging devices located on ground and mounted each on a securing and orienting device, for measuring infrared radiation emitted by the external surface of the receiver and providing a panel temperature-dependent signal in an area of the external surface.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes: a first straight section; a second straight section; and a bent section or elbow linking the first straight section and the second straight section. Each straight section comprises a part of an internal cylindrical shell and of an external cylindrical shell, both cooperating to form an intershell space enclosing a bundle of parallel U-bent tubes having each a first and a second straight part respectively located in the first straight section and second straight section of the exchanger and a 180°-bent part located in the bent section or elbow of the exchanger, so that, in use, a first fluid to be heated and vaporized is flowing in the tubes. The external cylindrical shell is provided respectively at one end with an inlet and at another end with an outlet for a second fluid which is a hot thermal fluid.

Abstract: A method for coating by thermal spraying a substrate for solar applications with a temperature-resistant and high-absorbance ceramic micro-structured coating includes the following steps: preparing a powder mixture including ceramic microparticles powder and polyester microballs powder, a percentage of the polyester microballs in the powder mixture being between 10 and 30% w/w; spraying the powder mixture onto the substrate by a thermal spray process in order to apply a coating layer on the substrate; and heating the substrate having the coating layer to a temperature of at least 400° C. so as to evaporate the microballs of polyester from the coating layer, leaving porosities at a place of the polyester microballs. Parameters of the spraying step and particle size are chosen so that the coating layer is applied in a thickness of between 50 and 150 microns.

Abstract: An external solar receiver, for a concentrating thermodynamic solar power plant of the type with a tower and heliostat field, has a wind tight modular inner structure, also called “casing,” and a plurality of heat exchanger tube receiver panels fastened to that inner structure. Each panel has a plurality of metal boxes supporting the heat exchanger tubes and assembled to one another by assembly means allowing the disassembly, each box being covered with thermal insulation via an anchor. The tubes are secured to the boxes by a removable and floating connector.

Abstract: A hairpin heat exchanger (1), wherein the bundle of parallel U-bent tubes (2) is extended out of the exchanger and connected, via bent tubes (11), respectively beyond an end of the internal shell (3) and of the external shell (4) at the first straight section to a first header (9) distributing the first fluid to the bundle of straight tubes (2) and beyond an end of the internal shell (3) and of the external shell (4) at the second straight section to a second header (10) collecting the first fluid under the form of liquid, vapor or a mixture liquid/vapor from the bundle of straight tubes (2).

Abstract: A tower for a concentrated solar power plant includes: an upper external platform on which is arranged an essentially cylindrical solar receiver with an external side surface and an upper base, the side surface of the receiver including a plurality of removably mounted receiving panels; and a placement and maintenance system for the receiving panels. The placement and maintenance system for the receiving panels includes a crane mounted so as to be rotatable 360° and guided using at least two concentric rails, on the upper base of the receiver.

Abstract: A tower for a concentrated solar power plant includes: an upper external platform on which is arranged an essentially cylindrical solar receiver with an external side surface and an upper base, the side surface of the receiver including a plurality of removably mounted receiving panels; and a placement and maintenance system for the receiving panels. The placement and maintenance system for the receiving panels includes a crane mounted so as to be rotatable 360° and guided using at least two concentric rails, on the upper base of the receiver.

Abstract: An external solar receiver, for a concentrating thermodynamic solar power plant of the type with a tower and heliostat field, has a wind tight modular inner structure, also called “casing,” and a plurality of heat exchanger tube receiver panels fastened to that inner structure. Each panel has a plurality of metal boxes supporting the heat exchanger tubes and assembled to one another by assembly means allowing the disassembly, each box being covered with thermal insulation via an anchor. The tubes are secured to the boxes by a removable and floating connector.