Solar Thermal Receiver

Abstract

A boiler for a solar receiver includes a first boiler panel having a plurality of tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header of the first boiler panel to an outlet header of the first boiler panel. The first boiler panel tubes form a first solar receiver surface. A second boiler panel has a plurality of tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header of the second boiler panel to an outlet header of the second boiler panel. The second boiler panel tubes form a second solar receiver surface. The first and second boiler panels are adjacent one another, a portion of the first boiler panel and an end of the first solar receiver surface overlapping an end of the second boiler panel to reduce solar radiation passing between the first and second solar receiver surfaces. A plurality of boiler panels may be arranged in rectangular or cylindrical orientation about a boiler central axis.

Description

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to solar power production, and more particularly, to solar receiver panels for use in solar boilers.

Solar power generation has been considered a viable source to help provide for energy needs in a time of increasing consciousness of the environmental aspects of power production. Solar energy production relies mainly on the ability to collect and convert energy freely available from the sun and can be produced with very little impact on the environment. Solar power can be utilized without creating radioactive waste as in nuclear power production, and without producing pollutant emissions including greenhouse gases as in fossil fuel power production. Solar power production is independent of fluctuating fuel costs and does not consume non-renewable resources.

Solar power generators generally employ fields of controlled mirrors, called heliostats, to gather and concentrate sunlight on a receiver to provide a heat source for power production. A solar receiver typically takes the form of a panel of tubes conveying a working fluid therethrough. Previous solar generators have used working fluids such as molten salt because it has the ability to store energy, allowing power generation when there is no solar radiation. The heated working fluids are typically conveyed to a heat exchanger where they release heat into a second working fluid such as air, water, or steam. Power is generated by driving heated air or steam through a turbine that drives an electrical generator.

More recently, it has been determined that solar production can be increased and simplified by using water/steam as the only working fluid in a receiver that is a boiler. This can eliminate the need for a potentially inefficient heat exchanger between two different working fluids. This development has lead to new challenges in handling the intense solar heat without damage to the system. Typical boilers include two or more sections at different temperatures and pressures, such as a section of steam generator panels, a section of superheater panels, and a section of reheater panels, for example. In a solar boiler, it is potentially advantageous to have boiler sections close together within the receiver where the focused solar radiation provides heat. One such configuration, for example, can include one boiler section on top of another boiler section. This exemplary configuration may include a gap between such adjacent sections, which accommodates headers and associated structures of the boiler sections and can provide room for thermal expansion and contraction of the boiler sections. The gap must be protected against the possibility of focused sunlight reaching components internal to the receiver panels (also known as leakage), where the intense radiation can be harmful.

One approach to this problem has been to cover the gaps between boiler sections with a thermal barrier or shield, which blocks the sunlight from entering the gap. Such a thermal barrier occupies surface area in the key receiving area of the boiler and thus reduces the amount of useable solar radiation from the heliostats that is actually received by the boiler.

There has remained a need in the art for solar receivers that can improve the useable receiving area while protecting internal spaces from leakage of solar radiation and allowing for thermal contraction and expansion. There also has remained a need in the art for such solar receivers that are easy to make and use.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to a new and useful boiler for a solar receiver. The boiler may include a first boiler panel having a plurality of tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header of the first boiler panel to an outlet header of the first boiler panel. The tubes of the first boiler panel form a first solar receiver surface and a first internal surface opposite the first solar receiver surface. The boiler may further include a second boiler panel having a plurality of tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header of the second boiler panel to an outlet header of the second boiler panel. The tubes of the second boiler panel form a second solar receiver surface and a second internal surface opposite the second solar receiver surface. The first and second boiler panels can be arranged adjacent to one another with a portion of the first boiler panel and an end of the first solar receiver surface overlapping an end of the second boiler panel to reduce solar radiation passing between the first and second solar receiver surfaces.

In certain exemplary embodiments, the first and second boiler panels may be adjacent to one another with an end of the first solar receiver surface overlapping an end of the second boiler panel so as to cover at least one of the headers behind the first solar receiver surface. It is also contemplated that an end of the first solar receiver surface can overlap an end of the second boiler panel so as to cover one of the headers of each boiler panel behind the first solar receiver surface.

The first and second internal surfaces can be covered with an insulation layer. A gap can be provided between the end of the second boiler panel and the portion of the first boiler panel overlapping the end of the second boiler panel to accommodate relative movement of the first and second boiler panels due to thermal growth, and the gap can be labyrinthine. The tubes of the first and second panels can be configured and adapted to be fully drainable by way of at least one header in each panel. It is also contemplated that the portion of the first solar receiver panel overlapping the end of the second boiler panel can include a 180° bend in the uppermost or lowermost end of the plurality of tubes of the first solar receiving panel. Additionally, the end of the first solar receiver surface overlapping an end of the second boiler panel may cover a header of the second solar receiver panel.

The invention may also include a boiler for a solar receiver including steam generator, superheater, and reheater panels, each having a plurality of tubes fluidly connecting a respective inlet header and a respective outlet header. The tubes of each panel can form a respective solar receiver surface and opposing internal surface. The steam generator and superheater panels may be located adjacent one another with a portion of the steam generator panel and an end of the solar receiver surface thereof overlapping an end of the superheater panel to reduce solar radiation passing between the solar receiver surfaces of the steam generator and superheater panels. The steam generator and reheater panels may be located adjacent one another with a portion of the reheater panel including an end of the solar receiver surface thereof overlapping an end of the steam generator panel to reduce solar radiation passing between the solar receiver surfaces of the steam generator and reheater panels. Alternatively, the steam generator and superheater panels may be located adjacent one another with a portion of the superheater panel including an end of the solar receiver surface thereof overlapping an end of the steam generator panel to reduce solar radiation passing between the solar receiver surfaces of the steam generator and superheater panels.

The boiler may include a plurality of the first and second boiler panels arranged in cylindrical or rectangular orientation about a central axis of the boiler. More specifically, the boiler may include a plurality of steam generator panels, superheater panels, and reheater panels arranged in cylindrical or rectangular orientation about a central axis of the boiler.

The invention may include a solar radiation interference device for reducing an amount of solar radiation passing between two adjacent solar receiver surfaces, that includes: a first boiler panel having a plurality of tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header of the first boiler panel to an outlet header of the first boiler panel, the tubes of the first boiler panel forming a first solar receiver surface and a first internal surface opposite the first solar receiver surface; a second boiler panel having a plurality of tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header of the second boiler panel to an outlet header of the second boiler panel, the tubes of the second boiler panel forming a second solar receiver surface and a second internal surface opposite the second solar receiver surface, the first and second boiler panels being adjacent one another; and an interference portion including an overlap of the first boiler panel and an end of the first solar receiver surface with respect to an end of the second boiler panel to reduce solar radiation passing between the first and second solar receiver surfaces.

These and other features of the systems and methods of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a gap between boiler sections in a typical solar boiler.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of a portion of an exemplary embodiment of a boiler constructed in accordance with the present invention, showing the overlap region between two receiver surfaces.

FIG. 3 is an interior elevation view of a portion of the boiler of FIG. 2, showing the headers and the interior surfaces of the tubes in the boiler panels.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of a portion of the boiler of FIG. 2, showing the overlap regions between adjacent superheater, steam generator, and reheater panels.

FIG. 5 is an exterior elevation view of an exemplary boiler wall including repeated sections of adjacent superheater, steam generator, and reheater panels.

FIG. 6 is an interior elevation view of the boiler wall of FIG. 5, showing the headers and the interior surfaces of the tubes in the boiler panels.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a boiler constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a boiler constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a boiler constructed in accordance with the present invention, showing a solar radiation interference device.

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a boiler constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of a boiler constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 12-20 are side elevation views of portions of exemplary embodiments of a boiler constructed in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like reference numerals identify similar structural features or aspects of the subject invention. The systems of the invention can be used to increase the effective receiving area while protecting internal spaces and components in boilers, for example in solar power generation.

Solar boilers are typically set up in such a way that there are at least two distinct tube sections: one is a steam generator section containing boiling water and one or more is a superheating section containing superheated steam. FIG. 1 shows an example of a solar boiler 10 having a steam generator section 14 and a superheater section 12. These sections receive solar energy on their exterior surface during operation, as indicated by straight arrows in FIG. 1. It is required that the tubing in these different sections of tubes be physically separated from one another, e.g., where the headers 16 and 18 of the respective sections 12 and 14 are located in FIG. 1. Some designs have had the ends of adjacent areas, including adjacent headers, located close together. Such designs typically leave a significant gap between the solar receiver surfaces of sections 12 and 14 that would allow direct solar radiation to leak between the two tube sections. Therefore, this gap area must be protected with a thermal barrier, such as barrier 20. As indicated in FIG. 1 by a bent arrow, barrier 20 protects the gap region by blocking the incident solar radiation. This protection comes at a cost, namely the waste of concentrated solar energy in the receiving area that is incident on barrier 20 instead of on respective receiver surfaces of sections 12 and 14.

Turning to FIG. 2, there are shown features of a solar boiler 100 constructed in accordance with the present invention. Boiler 100 for a solar receiver includes a first boiler panel 102 having a plurality of tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header 113 of the first boiler panel (not shown in FIG. 2, but see, FIG. 3) to an outlet header 104 of first boiler panel 102. The tubes of first boiler panel 102 form a first solar receiver surface 106 and a first internal surface 108 opposite first solar receiver surface 106. The exterior receiver surface 106 receives solar energy, for example from a field of heliostats or mirrors, as indicated by arrows in FIG. 2.

A second boiler panel 110 similarly includes a plurality of tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header 112 of second boiler panel 110 to an outlet header 114 of second boiler panel 110. The tubes of second boiler panel 110 form a second solar receiver surface 116 and a second internal surface 118 opposite second solar receiver surface 116 (i.e. exterior and interior surfaces, as indicated in FIG. 2). Like receiver surface 106, exterior receiver surface 116 receives solar energy, for example from a field of heliostats, as indicated by arrows in FIG. 2.

First and second boiler panels 102 and 110 are adjacent one another with an end portion 120 of first boiler panel 102 and the corresponding end portion of first solar receiver surface 106 overlapping an end 122 of second boiler panel 110 to reduce or prevent solar radiation passing in between the first and second solar receiver surfaces 106 and 116 into the interior space of boiler 100. Interior surfaces 108 and 118 have a layer of insulating material (not shown) to protect the interior space of boiler 100 and components therein from the high temperatures on the backside of the tubes.

FIG. 3 shows the same portion of boiler 100 as in FIG. 2 but from the interior, to show the tubes and headers of panels 102 and 110. While the example described above includes shielding headers 112 and 104 shielded behind first receiver surface 106, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that each panel can cover its own header, or any other suitable overlap configuration can be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

In this exemplary configuration, the tubes, which comprise the receiving surfaces 106 and 116, are overlapped in such a way that there is no need for a barrier to cover a gap between the receiving surfaces 106 and 116. This is accomplished by overlapping portions of the tubes of different boiler sections as described above. An overlapping tube design, in accordance with the present invention, may prevent the need for wasteful insulation or shielding covering external portions of the receiver area of boiler 100. This also allows for a higher amount of absorption of solar radiation, which can increase the overall efficiency of the system.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the overlap region between panels 102 and 110 may allow for thermal expansion and contraction of the panels. There is a gap 121 between end portion 120 of boiler panel 102 and end portion 122 of boiler panel 110. As can be seen in FIG. 2, gap 121 is labyrinthine and thus any leakage of solar radiation is absorbed by the boiler tubes, e.g., in end portion 122, and is not allowed to penetrate into the interior space of boiler 100. Since end 120 of first panel 102 and end 122 of second panel 110 are spaced apart from one another, panels 102 and 110 can move relative to one another during the thermal expansion and contraction that results from the daily cycle of solar radiation incident on the receiver area of boiler 100. Thus, while gap 121 accommodates thermal expansion and contraction, in terms of leakage of solar radiation there is effectively no gap between panels 102 and 110.

If boiler panels are exposed to ambient conditions, it may be necessary to drain the water from the tubing after sunset to prevent damage from freezing water in the tubes. In tubes 102 and 110 this draining can be accomplished through drains (not shown). The overlapping design of ends 120 and 122 may allow the tubes of panels 102 and 110 to be completely drainable, as there is a header at each low point for each panel 102 and 110. The 180° bend in end 120 of first panel 102 does not trap water during draining, since water on both sides of the bend can flow downward to a drain or header. If, for example, if there were a 180° bend at the very bottom of a panel, it could trap water during draining and such a panel may not be fully drainable.

An exemplary embodiment may include two or three end tubes 191 on each end of headers 112 and 104. End tubes 191 can be bent inward to shorten the overall length of the respective headers 112 and 104. If it is desired to make end tubes 191 fully drainable, this can be accomplished using any suitable configuration for panel headers without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

With reference now to FIG. 4, panel 102 is shown as, for example, a steam generator panel, and panel 110 is shown as, for example, a superheater panel. Exemplary boiler 100 is shown as also including reheater panel 140. Each reheater panel 140 includes a plurality of tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header 117 to an outlet header 115, much as described above with respect to panels 102 and 110. Panel 140 overlaps panel 102 in the same manner as panel 102 overlaps panel 110 as described above. Boiler 100 can include multiple, parallel panels of each of the previously described types. An alternative exemplary boiler can be configured such that superheater and steam generator panels 110 and 102 are adjacent one another with an end portion of superheater panel 110 and a corresponding end portion of solar receiver surface 116 overlapping an end of steam generator panel 102 to reduce or prevent solar radiation passing in between solar receiver surfaces 116 and 106 into the interior space of boiler 100.

As can be seen from FIG. 5, multiple sets of overlapped panels 102, 110, and 140 can be arranged side-by-side in parallel orientation into a boiler wall 150. FIG. 6 shows the same boiler wall 150 as in FIG. 5 but from the interior, to show the tubes and headers of panels 102, 110 and 140. Multiple boiler walls can be joined, for example to form a four-sided boiler 700 as shown in FIG. 7, or other multi-sided boiler capable of receiving concentrated solar energy from heliostats surrounding the base of the boiler. Additionally, multiple boiler walls can be configured and joined to form a cylindrical boiler 800, such as that shown in FIG. 8. While several exemplary embodiments were described herein in the context of a three-stage boiler, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that any suitable number of stages can be used, and can be arranged in any suitable manner without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

FIG. 9 shows a partial elevation view of a boiler 900 that may include a solar radiation interference device 950 for reducing the amount of solar radiation passing between two adjacent solar receiver surfaces. Solar radiation interference device 950 includes a first boiler panel 902 and second boiler panel 910, that are similar in configuration to those described with respect to FIG. 2, and further includes an interference portion including an overlap of first boiler panel 902 and an end of the first solar receiver surface with respect to an end of the second boiler panel 910 to reduce solar radiation passing between the first and second solar receiver surfaces.

FIG. 10 shows a partial elevation view of a boiler in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 shows a partial sectional view of a boiler in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 12-20 show side elevation views of portions of exemplary embodiments of a boiler constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Turning to FIG. 12 for example, there is shown a portion of a boiler for a solar receiver that includes a first boiler panel 1202 having a plurality of tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header (not shown) of the first boiler panel to an outlet header 1204 of first boiler panel 1202. The tubes of first boiler panel 1202 form a first solar receiver surface 1206 and a first internal surface 1208 opposite first solar receiver surface 1206. The exterior receiver surface 1206 can receive solar energy, for example from a field of heliostats or mirrors.

A second boiler panel 1210 similarly includes a plurality of tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header 1212 of second boiler panel 110 to an outlet header (not shown) of second boiler panel 1210. The tubes of second boiler panel 1210 form a second solar receiver surface 1216 and a second internal surface 1218 opposite second solar receiver surface 1216 (i.e. exterior and interior surfaces, respectively). Like receiver surface 1206, exterior receiver surface 1216 can receive solar energy, for example from a field of heliostats or mirrors.

FIGS. 13-20 show alternative embodiments to that shown in FIG. 12. Corresponding elements of different embodiments have been numbered accordingly. These embodiments may be used individually or in combination with other embodiments of the present invention described herein.

As can be seen for example in FIG. 19, the overlap region between panels 1902 and 1910 may allow for thermal expansion and contraction of the panels. There is a gap 1921 between an end portion 1920 of boiler panel 1902 and an end portion 1922 of boiler panel 1910. Leakage of solar radiation is absorbed by the boiler tubes, e.g., in respective end portions of boiler panels 1902 and 1910, and is not allowed to penetrate into the interior space of boiler. Since end portion 1920 of first panel 1902 and end portion 1922 of second panel 1910 are spaced apart from one another, panels 1902 and 1910 can move relative to one another during the thermal expansion and contraction that results from the daily cycle of solar radiation incident on the receiver area of boiler. Thus, while gap 1921 accommodates thermal expansion and contraction, in terms of leakage of solar radiation there is effectively no gap between panels 1902 and 1910.

FIG. 20 shows an exemplary embodiment of a boiler constructed in accordance with the present invention, that similar to that shown in FIG. 19, but that additionally includes a spacer 2030 for maintaining a gap 2021 between an end portion 2020 of boiler panel 2002 and an end portion 2022 of boiler panel 2010.

The methods and systems of the present invention, as described above and shown in the drawings provide for increased effective area for receiving solar radiation in a boiler, such as in a solar receiver. This configuration can provide improved efficiency while also providing protection of components and spaces internal to the receiver panels from leakage of solar radiation from the heliostats, while allowing for thermal expansion and contraction. This configuration may also provide for drainability of the boiler sections.

While the apparatus and methods of the present invention have been shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that changes and/or modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A boiler for a solar receiver comprising: a) a first boiler panel having a plurality of tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header of the first boiler panel to an outlet header of the first boiler panel, the tubes of the first boiler panel forming a first solar receiver surface and a first internal surface opposite the first solar receiver surface; andb) a second boiler panel having a plurality of tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header of the second boiler panel to an outlet header of the second boiler panel, the tubes of the second boiler panel forming a second solar receiver surface and a second internal surface opposite the second solar receiver surface, wherein the first and second boiler panels are adjacent one another with a portion of the first boiler panel and an end of the first solar receiver surface overlapping an end of the second boiler panel to reduce solar radiation passing between the first and second solar receiver surfaces.

2. A boiler for a solar receiver as recited in claim 1, wherein the first and second boiler panels are adjacent to one another with an end of the first solar receiver surface overlapping an end of the second boiler panel so as to cover at least one of the headers behind the first solar receiver surface.

3. A boiler for a solar receiver as recited in claim 1, wherein the first and second boiler panels are adjacent to one another with an end of the first solar receiver surface overlapping an end of the second boiler panel so as to cover one of the headers of each boiler panel behind the first solar receiver surface.

4. A boiler for a solar receiver as recited in claim 1, wherein the first and second internal surfaces are covered with an insulation layer.

5. A boiler for a solar receiver as recited in claim 1, wherein a gap is provided between the end of the second boiler panel and the portion of the first boiler panel overlapping the end of the second boiler panel to accommodate relative movement of the first and second boiler panels due to thermal growth.

6. A boiler for a solar receiver as recited in claim 1, wherein the tubes of the first and second panels are configured and adapted to be fully drainable by way of at least one header in each panel.

7. A boiler for a solar receiver as recited in claim 1, wherein the portion of the first solar receiver panel overlapping the end of the second boiler panel includes a 180° bend in the uppermost end of the plurality of tubes of the first solar receiving panel.

8. A boiler for a solar receiver as recited in claim 7, wherein the end of the first solar receiver surface overlapping an end of the second boiler panel covers a header of the second solar receiver panel.

9. A boiler for a solar receiver comprising: a) a steam generator panel having a plurality of tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header and an outlet header of the steam generator panel, the tubes of the steam generator panel forming a solar receiver surface and opposed internal surface;b) a superheater panel having a plurality of tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header and an outlet header of the superheater panel, the tubes of the superheater panel forming a solar receiver surface and opposed internal surface, wherein the steam generator and superheater panels are adjacent one another with a portion of the steam generator panel including an end of the solar receiver surface thereof overlapping an end of the superheater panel to reduce solar radiation passing between the solar receiver surfaces of the steam generator and superheater panels; andc) a reheater panel having a plurality of tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header and an outlet header of the reheater panel, the tubes of the reheater panel forming a solar receiver surface and opposed internal surface, wherein the steam generator and reheater panels are adjacent one another with a portion of the reheater panel including an end of the solar receiver surface thereof overlapping an end of the steam generator panel to reduce solar radiation passing between the solar receiver surfaces of the steam generator and reheater panels.

10. A boiler for a solar receiver as recited in claim 9, wherein the steam generator and superheater panels are adjacent one another with an end of the solar receiver surface of the steam generator panel overlapping an end of the superheater panel so as to cover one header of each of the steam generator and superheater panels behind the solar receiver surface of the steam generator panel, and wherein the steam generator and reheater panels are adjacent one another with an end of the solar receiver surface of the reheater panel overlapping an end of the steam generator panel so as to cover one header of each of the steam generator and reheater panels behind the solar receiver surface of the reheater panel.

11. A boiler for a solar receiver as recited in claim 9, wherein the internal surfaces of the steam generator, superheater, and reheater panels are covered with an insulation layer.

12. A boiler for a solar receiver as recited in claim 9, wherein a first labyrinthine gap is provided between the end of the superheater panel and the portion of the steam generator panel overlapping the end of the superheater panel to accommodate relative movement of the steam generator and superheater panels due to thermal growth, and wherein a second labyrinthine gap is provided between the end of the steam generator panel and the portion of the reheater panel overlapping the end of the steam generator panel to accommodate relative movement of the steam generator and reheater panels due to thermal growth.

13. A boiler for a solar receiver as recited in claim 9, wherein the tubes of the steam generator, superheater, and reheater panels are configured and adapted to be fully drainable by way of at least one header in each panel.

14. A boiler for a solar receiver as recited in claim 9, wherein the portion of the steam generator panel overlapping the end of the superheater panel includes a 180° bend in the uppermost end of the plurality of tubes of the steam generator panel, and wherein the portion of the reheater panel overlapping the end of the steam generator panel includes a 180° bend in the uppermost end of the plurality of tubes of the reheater panel.

15. A boiler for a solar receiver as recited in claim 14, wherein the end of the solar receiver surface of the steam generator panel overlapping an end of the superheater panel covers a header of the superheater panel, and wherein the end of the solar receiver surface of the reheater panel overlapping an end of the steam generator panel covers a header of the steam generator panel.

16. A boiler for a solar receiver comprising: a) a first boiler panel having a plurality of tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header of the first boiler panel to an outlet header of the first boiler panel, the tubes of the first boiler panel forming a first solar receiver surface and a first internal surface opposite the first solar receiver surface; andb) a second boiler panel having a plurality of tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header of the second boiler panel to an outlet header of the second boiler panel, the tubes of the second boiler panel forming a second solar receiver surface and a second internal surface opposite the second solar receiver surface, wherein the first and second boiler panels are adjacent one another with a portion of the first boiler panel including an end of the first solar receiver surface overlapping an end of the second boiler panel and covering one header of each of the first and second boiler panels, and wherein a labyrinthine gap is provided between the end of the first solar receiver surface and the end of the second boiler panel to accommodate relative movement of the first and second boiler panels due to thermal growth.

17. A boiler for a solar receiver as recited in claim 16, wherein the tubes of the first and second panels are configured and adapted to be fully drainable by way of at least one header in each panel.

18. A boiler for a solar receiver as recited in claim 16, wherein the portion of the first solar receiver panel overlapping the end of the second boiler panel includes a 180° bend in the uppermost end of the plurality of tubes of the first solar receiving panel.

19. A boiler for a solar receiver as recited in claim 16, wherein the first and second internal surfaces are covered with an insulation layer.

20. A boiler for a solar receiver as recited in claim 1, including a plurality of the first and second boiler panels disposed in cylindrical orientation about a central axis of the boiler.

21. A boiler for a solar receiver as recited in claim 1, including a plurality of the first and second boiler panels disposed in rectangular orientation about a central axis of the boiler.

22. A boiler for a solar receiver as recited in claim 9, including a plurality of steam generator panels, superheater panels, and reheater panels disposed in cylindrical orientation about a central axis of the boiler.

23. A boiler for a solar receiver as recited in claim 9, including a plurality of steam generator panels, superheater panels, and reheater panels disposed in rectangular orientation about a central axis of the boiler.

24. A boiler for a solar receiver comprising: a) a steam generator panel having a plurality of tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header and an outlet header of the steam generator panel, the tubes of the steam generator panel forming a solar receiver surface and opposed internal surface;b) a superheater panel having a plurality of tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header and an outlet header of the superheater panel, the tubes of the superheater panel forming a solar receiver surface and opposed internal surface, wherein the steam generator and superheater panels are adjacent one another with a portion of the superheater panel including an end of the solar receiver surface thereof overlapping an end of the steam generator panel to reduce solar radiation passing between the solar receiver surfaces of the steam generator and superheater panels; andc) a reheater panel having a plurality of tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header and an outlet header of the reheater panel, the tubes of the reheater panel forming a solar receiver surface and opposed internal surface, wherein the steam generator and reheater panels are adjacent one another with a portion of the reheater panel including an end of the solar receiver surface thereof overlapping an end of the steam generator panel to reduce solar radiation passing between the solar receiver surfaces of the steam generator and reheater panels.

25. A boiler for a solar receiver as recited in claim 24, wherein the steam generator and superheater panels are adjacent one another with an end of the solar receiver surface of the superheater panel overlapping an end of the steam generator panel so as to cover one header of each of the steam generator and superheater panels behind the solar receiver surface of the superheater panel, and wherein the steam generator and reheater panels are adjacent one another with an end of the solar receiver surface of the reheater panel overlapping an end of the steam generator panel so as to cover one header of each of the steam generator and reheater panels behind the solar receiver surface of the reheater panel.

26. A boiler for a solar receiver as recited in claim 24, wherein the portion of the superheater panel overlapping the end of the steam generator panel includes a 180 degree bend in the uppermost end of the plurality of tubes of the superheater panel, and wherein the portion of the reheater panel overlapping the end of the steam generator panel includes a 180° bend in the uppermost end of the plurality of tubes of the reheater panel.

27. A boiler for a solar receiver as recited in claim 26, wherein the end of the solar receiver surface of the superheater panel overlapping an end of the steam generator panel covers a header of the steam generator panel, and wherein the end of the solar receiver surface of the reheater panel overlapping an end of the steam generator panel covers a header of the steam generator panel.

28. A boiler for a solar receiver as recited in claim 24, wherein a first labyrinthine gap is provided between the end of the steam generator panel and the portion of the superheater panel overlapping the end of the steam generator panel to accommodate relative movement of the steam generator and superheater panels due to thermal growth, and wherein a second labyrinthine gap is provided between the end of the steam generator panel and the portion of the reheater panel overlapping the end of the steam generator panel to accommodate relative movement of the steam generator and reheater panels due to thermal growth.

29. A boiler for a solar receiver as recited in claim 24, wherein the portion of the superheater panel overlapping the end of the steam generator panel includes a 180° bend in the lowermost end of the plurality of tubes of the superheater panel.

30. A solar radiation interference device for reducing an amount of solar radiation passing between two adjacent solar receiver surfaces, comprising: a first boiler panel having a plurality of tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header of the first boiler panel to an outlet header of the first boiler panel, the tubes of the first boiler panel forming a first solar receiver surface and a first internal surface opposite the first solar receiver surface;a second boiler panel having a plurality of tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header of the second boiler panel to an outlet header of the second boiler panel, the tubes of the second boiler panel forming a second solar receiver surface and a second internal surface opposite the second solar receiver surface, the first and second boiler panels being adjacent one another; andan interference portion including an overlap of the first boiler panel and an end of the first solar receiver surface with respect to an end of the second boiler panel to reduce solar radiation passing between the first and second solar receiver surfaces.