Tube coating process

Innovative New Tube Coating Process for Revitalization of Weathered Receiver Tubes
Florida -- ELI Thin-films Division has invented a new sol-gel tube coating process for revitalization of previously unusable receiver tubes.

With the electrical generation systems in California in need of new generating capacity, focus has fallen on a proven alternative energy source. The SEGS (Solar Electric Generating Systems) Plants near Barstow contribute 350 megawatts each day to the California grid. These parabolic troughs with their receiver tubes have been in service for fifteen years now. A common problem with this technology is weathering and thermal degradation of the receiver tube coating due to the harsh environment in which they operate. Until now, these degraded tubes were unusable, and unable to produce the desired energy yield.

Receiver Tube Power Plant

ELI Thin-films Division was recently contracted by a leading receiver tube power plant to coat these tubes with a sol-gel formulation which would seal the base coating to inhibit further degradation.

With this task set fourth before us, we invented a new coating process which is economically feasible due to its low chemical consumption, ultra-low energy use, and atmospheric deposition and drying. The process only coats the outside surface of each tube and takes only minutes to complete. The final coating enhances the solar absorption of the base coat while not adversely affecting it's thermal emissivity. The initial thermal cycling tests indicate great success, and promises to be something other receiver tube manufacturers must consider.