Claims:1. A system for solar thermal energy conversion comprising:
a first container (102) configured to store gas at a low pressure;
at least one convex lens (104) configured to accumulate heat energy from sunlight and focus accumulated heat energy on the first container (102), thereby generating an increased gas pressure in the first container (102);
a turbine unit (106) coupled to the first container (102) and a second container (110), wherein the turbine unit (106) is configured to generate mechanical energy by rotating received increased gas pressure; and
an electricity generator (108), coupled to the turbine unit (106), wherein the electricity generator (108) is configured to convert the mechanical energy, received from the turbine, into electrical energy.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one convex lens (104) is adapted to be placed on the first container (102) at a pre-defined distance.
3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the increased gas pressure is predefined.
4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the turbine generates lowered gas temperature while rotating the received increased gas pressure.
5. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least two valves, wherein first valve (202) of the at least two valves is configured to allow the turbine to receive the increased gas pressure from the first container (102), wherein the first valve (202) is opened based on predefined increased pressure of the gas molecules.
6. The system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first valve (202) is placed between the first container (102) and the turbine.
7. The system as claimed in claim 5, wherein a second valve (204) of the at least two valves is configured to allow the lowered gas temperature to pass to the second container (110).
8. The system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the second valve (204) is placed between the turbine and the second container (110).
9. A method for solar thermal energy conversion comprising:
storing, in a first container (102), gas at a low pressure;
accumulating, by at least one convex lens (104), heat energy from sunlight and focus accumulated heat energy on the first container (102), thereby generating an increased gas pressure in the first container (102);
generating, by a turbine, mechanical energy by rotating received increased gas pressure; and
converting, by an electricity generator (108) coupled to the turbine, the mechanical energy, received from the turbine, into electrical energy.
10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein rotating the received increased gas pressure by the turbine generates lowered gas temperature, wherein the lowered gas temperature is passed to a second container (110).
, Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to renewable energy, and more particularly to, a system and a method for solar thermal energy conversion.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The use of sunlight as a heat source has been used since the beginning of time. Sunlight as heat source is also used to reduce dependency on energy sources such as oil, gas, coal, etc. Due to an increased demand for renewable energy sources, people have been investing their money to produce electrical energy from solar energy. Solar energy may be defined as the energy derived from the sun.
[0003] In order to convert solar energy into electrical energy, solar panels are used. The solar panels include solar cells which are made from silicon. A silicon cell is like a four-part sandwich. The bread on either side consists of thin strips of metallic electrodes. They extract the power generated within the solar cell and conduct it to an external circuit. The middle part of the cell is where photons from the sun are converted into usable electricity.
[0004] The solar panel is connected to the solar charge controller, wherein the charge controller controls the charging of the battery and prevents the solar panels from overcharging and reverse flow of current during the night when no charging takes place.
[0005] Conventionally, solar energy is converted into electrical energy using photovoltaic type. The efficiency of using the photovoltaic type do not increase more than 22% and delivers only an average of 17%. However, the cost involved in implementing the aforementioned type of modules is high.
[0006] Therefore, there is a need for an improved system to overcome the aforementioned issues.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure, system for solar thermal energy conversion is provided. The system includes a first container configured to store gas at a low pressure. The system includes at least one convex lens configured to accumulate heat energy from sunlight and focus the accumulated heat energy on the first container, thereby generating an increased gas pressure in the first container.
[0008] The system includes a turbine unit coupled to the first container and a second container, wherein the turbine unit is configured to generate mechanical energy by rotating received increased gas pressure and the system includes an electricity generator, coupled to the turbine unit, wherein the electricity generator is configured to convert the mechanical energy, received from the turbine, into electrical energy.
[0009] In further embodiment of the present system, at least two valves are included, wherein first valve of the at least two valves are configured to allow the turbine to receive the increased gas pressure from the first container, wherein the first valve is opened based on predefined increased gas pressure.
[0010] In accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure, a method of solar thermal energy conversion is provided. The method includes storing, in a first container, gas at a low pressure. The method also includes accumulating, by at least one convex lens, heat energy from sunlight and focus accumulated heat energy on the first container, thereby generating an increased gas pressure in the first container. The method also includes generating, by a turbine, mechanical energy by rotating received increased gas pressure and converting, by an electricity generator coupled to the turbine, the mechanical energy, received from the turbine, into electrical energy.
[0011] To further clarify the advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more particular description of the disclosure will follow by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended figures. It is to be appreciated that these figures depict only typical embodiments of the disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting in scope. The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the appended figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying figures in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system for solar thermal energy conversion in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart representing steps involved in a method for solar thermal energy conversion in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0015] Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the figures by conventional symbols, and the figures may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the figures with details that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the description herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the figures and specific language will be used to describe them. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the disclosure as would normally occur to those skilled in the art are to be construed as being within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0017] The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such a process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components preceded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices, sub-systems, elements, structures, components, additional devices, additional sub-systems, additional elements, additional structures or additional components. Appearances of the phrase "in an embodiment", "in another embodiment" and similar language throughout this specification may, but not necessarily do, all refer to the same embodiment.
[0018] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are only illustrative and not intended to be limiting.
[0019] In the following specification and the claims, reference will be made to a number of terms, which shall be defined to have the following meanings. The singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system for solar thermal energy conversion in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The system (100) includes a first container (102), at least one convex lens (104), a turbine unit (106) and an electricity generator (108).
[0021] In one embodiment, the first container (102) is configured to store at a low pressure. The at least one convex lens (104) is configured to accumulate heat energy from sunlight and focus the accumulated heat energy on the first container (102), thereby generating an increased gas pressure in the first container (102). The at least one convex lens (104) is adapted to be placed on the first container (102) at a pre-defined distance.
[0022] In one embodiment, the turbine unit (106) is coupled to the first container (102) and a second container (110), wherein the turbine unit (106) is configured to generate mechanical energy by rotating received increased gas pressure. The increased gas pressure is predefined, wherein predefined may be defined as gas present in the first container (102) attaining required pressure level after being exposed to the sunlight. The turbine unit (106) including a turbine is configured to generate lowered gas temperature while rotating the received increased gas pressure.
[0023] In one embodiment, the electricity generator (108) is coupled to the turbine unit (106), wherein the electricity generator (108) is configured to convert the mechanical energy into electrical energy.
[0024] In one embodiment, the system further includes at least two valves. A first valve (202) from the at least two valves is placed between the first container (102) and the turbine unit (106). The first valve (202) is configured to allow the turbine to receive the increased gas pressure from the first container (102). The first valve (202) is opened based on predefined increased gas pressure. A second valve (204) from the at least two valves is placed between the turbine unit (106) and the second container (110), wherein the second valve (204) is configured to allow the lowered gas temperature to pass to the second container (110). The first valve (202) is connected to the first container (102) and the turbine unit (106) via a pipe or a cylindrical element. The second valve (204) is connected to the second container (110) and the turbine unit (106) via a pipe or a cylindrical element.
[0025] In one embodiment, the at least two valves may be automatically operated based on the predefined pressure.
[0026] In another embodiment, the at least two valves may be manually operated based on the predefined pressure.
[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0028] The first container (102) is filled with a low pressured gas. Above the first container (102), at a predefined distance, the at least one convex lens (104) is placed, wherein the at least one convex lens (104) is movable. When the first container (102) is filled with the low pressured gas, the first valve (202) is closed.
[0029] The at least one convex lens (104) accumulates heat energy from the sunlight. The at least one convex lens (104) concentrates the accumulated heat energy on to the first container (102), wherein due to the concentrated heat energy being focused onto the first container (102) converts the low pressured gas into increased gas pressure in the first container (102). Due to the increased gas pressure in the first container (102), the first valve (202) is opened, and the increased gas pressure is passed to the turbine unit (106).
[0030] The turbine unit (106) receives the increased gas pressure from the first container (102) via the first valve (202). The turbine of the turbine unit (106) is rotated by the increased gas pressure received from the first container (102), wherein the turbined may be rotated in either a clock-wise direction or anti-clockwise direction. Upon rotation of the turbine, a lowered gas temperature is created from the increased gas pressure, while the rotation of the turbine generates mechanical energy. The lowered gas temperature is passed to the second container (110) via the second valve (204), wherein the first valve (202) and the second valve (204) are kept open until the lowered gas temperature is passed on to the second container (110).
[0031] The mechanical energy generated by the turbine is provided to the electricity generator (108), wherein the electricity generator (108) converts the mechanical energy, received from the turbine unit (106), into electrical energy.
[0032] The aforementioned process is repeated by moving the at least one convex lens (104) on to the second container (110). The second container (110) is now provided with accumulated heat energy from the at least one convex lens (104) and the lowered gas temperature is converted to increased gas pressure. The increased gas pressure is passed to the turbine unit (106) via the second valve (204), wherein the turbine unit (106) including the turbine generates mechanical energy by rotating due to the increased gas pressure being passed through the turbine. The turbine, while generating mechanical energy, also converts the increased gas pressure to lowered gas temperature. The lowered gas temperature is passed to the first container (102) via the first valve (202). The generated mechanical energy is passed to electricity generator (108), wherein the electricity generator (108) converts the mechanical energy into electrical energy.
[0033] FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart representing steps involved in a method (300) for solar thermal energy conversion in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0034] The method (300) includes storing gas at a low pressure in step 302. The first container (102) is configured to store at a low pressure.
[0035] The method (300) includes accumulating heat energy from sunlight in step 304. The at least one convex lens (104) is configured to accumulate heat energy from sunlight and focus the accumulated heat energy on the first container (102), thereby generating an increased gas pressure in the first container (102). The at least one convex lens (104) is adapted to be placed on the first container (102) at a pre-defined distance.
[0036] The method (300) includes generating mechanical energy in step 306. The turbine unit (106) is coupled to the first container (102) and a second container (110), wherein the turbine unit (106) is configured to generate mechanical energy by rotating received increased gas pressure. A first valve (202) from the at least two valves is placed between the first container (102) and the turbine unit (106). The first valve (202) is configured to allow the turbine to receive the increased gas pressure from the first container (102). The first valve (202) is opened based on predefined increased gas pressure. The increased gas pressure is predefined, wherein predefined may be defined as gas present in the first container (102) attaining required pressure level after being exposed to the sunlight. The turbine unit (106) including a turbine generates lowered gas temperature while rotating the received increased gas pressure.
[0037] A second valve (204) from the at least two valves is placed between the turbine unit (106) and the second container (110), wherein the second valve (204) is configured to allow the lowered gas temperature to pass to the second container (110). The first valve (202) is connected to the first container (102) and the turbine unit (106) via a pipe or a cylindrical element. The second valve (204) is connected to the second container (110) and the turbine unit (106) via a pipe or a cylindrical element.
[0038] The method (300) includes converting the mechanical energy into electrical energy in step 308. The electricity generator (108) is coupled to the turbine unit (106), wherein the electricity generator (108) is configured to convert the mechanical energy into electrical energy.
[0039] The present disclosure provides various advantages, including not limited to, achieve high efficiency with respect to thermal conversion and reduces loss in transformation when converting from mechanical to electrical energy.
[0040] While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on account of the same are not intended. As would be apparent to a person skilled in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein.
[0041] The figures and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, order of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts need to be necessarily performed. Also, those acts that are not dependant on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples.