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Research by UFPB and UFCG Results in National Patent Using Ilmenite to Improve the Performance of Thermal Solar Collectors, Increase the Efficiency of Solar Energy, and Reduce Costs in Brazil.
December marked a significant advancement for science and the solar energy sector in Brazil. Researchers from UFPB and UFCG obtained a national patent for a new technology capable of increasing the efficiency of thermal solar collectors and potentially reducing the costs of thermal solar generation. According to a report published by UFPB on Monday (29), the innovation uses ilmenite, a mineral abundant in Brazilian territory, as the basis for a selective solar radiation absorbing surface, enhancing the performance of photothermal systems.
UFPB and UFCG Develop Strategic Technology for Thermal Solar Energy
The patent was granted by the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) under registration BR 102020013512-0, consolidating research developed jointly by UFPB and UFCG.
The invention is credited to Professor Kelly Cristiane Gomes from the Center for Alternative and Renewable Energies (CEAR/UFPB), and researchers Gustavo César Pamplona de Sousa, Wanderley Ferreira de Amorim Júnior, and Raimundo Nonato Calazans Duarte from UFCG.
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The technology stands out for uniting energy efficiency, low production cost, and the use of national mineral resources, factors considered strategic for the expansion of thermal solar energy in the country.
The main advancement of the research lies in the development of a selective absorbing surface that significantly improves the performance of thermal solar collectors.
These devices are widely used for heating water and industrial thermal processes, yet they still face technical limitations related to heat losses.
With the new technology, thermal solar energy can achieve greater absorption efficiency of radiation and lower thermal emission, essential characteristics for raising operational temperatures and broadening application possibilities. The potential impact is directly on the competitiveness of thermal solar technology compared to other energy sources.
Ilmenite as a Low-Cost Alternative for Thermal Solar Collectors
Ilmenite is an iron and titanium oxide abundantly present in Brazil and traditionally used as a source for producing titanium dioxide. Although metallic titanium has excellent properties for use in selective surfaces, its use in thermal solar collectors is limited due to high processing costs.
Raw titanium ore can cost between US$ 6.70 and US$ 20 per kilogram, while high-performance materials can exceed US$ 100 per kilogram after industrial stages.
The technology developed by UFPB and UFCG reduces this economic bottleneck by using ilmenite directly as a functional material, decreasing costs and production complexity. This approach makes thermal solar energy more accessible, especially for large-scale applications and in regions with high solar potential.
How the Technology Patented by UFPB and UFCG Works
The innovation consists of the functionalization of ilmenite for use as a coating on a selective solar radiation absorbing surface. For this, researchers employed the technique of localized intensified plasma, known as hollow cathode, an advanced method of coating deposition.
According to researcher Gustavo Pamplona, the process enabled a significant increase in solar radiation absorption, coupled with low thermal emission, one of the main challenges faced by conventional thermal solar collectors.
The results indicated emissive losses of less than 14%, demonstrating the high potential of the technology. This performance directly contributes to improving the energy efficiency of systems and extending their operational lifespan.
Challenges of Thermal Solar Energy and the Role of Selective Coatings
Currently, photothermal systems face limitations related to energy loss through thermal emission, which restricts their operating temperatures to values below 100 °C. This factor limits the use of thermal solar energy in industrial processes and high energy demand applications.
In this context, selective coatings applied to absorbing plates are considered a strategic solution. They allow for increased solar energy gain and reduce thermal losses, improving the energy balance of the system.
The technology developed by UFPB and UFCG directly addresses this challenge by presenting an efficient, economically viable solution aligned with Brazilian conditions.
Solar Energy and Cost Reduction Through the Use of Ilmenite
One of the main differentiators of the innovation lies in the potential cost reduction of thermal solar collectors. By replacing expensive materials and complex industrial processes with an abundant and lower-cost mineral, the technology can make thermal solar energy more competitive.
According to researchers, the expectation is that the final cost of collectors will be significantly reduced, favoring the adoption of technology by households, companies, and public institutions.
Lower costs expand access, especially in regions of greater energy vulnerability. This factor is considered essential for the democratization of solar energy in Brazil.
Brazilian Ilmenite Reserves and Strengthening the Productive Chain
Data from the Brazilian Mineral Yearbook 2023 and the Brazilian Mineral Summary 2023, with a base year of 2022, indicate that Brazil has about 10.4 million tons of titanium reserves, mainly in the form of ilmenite and rutile. These reserves are distributed across various states, including Bahia, Espírito Santo, Pernambuco, Goiás, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, Santa Catarina, and Paraíba.
Paraíba stands out in this scenario, with the municipality of Mataraca concentrating the most significant deposits in terms of reserves and production. This availability reinforces the strategic nature of the technology developed by UFPB and UFCG, integrating science, natural resources, and regional development.
UFPB, UFCG, and Scientific Innovation Applied to Solar Energy
For Professor Kelly Gomes of UFPB, the innovation goes beyond technical performance. It strengthens the national productive chain by using Brazilian raw materials and processes developed in the academic environment. According to the researcher, ilmenite represents a strategic asset for the Northeast, especially for higher value-added technological applications.
The patent also opens the door for partnerships with the industrial sector, enabling technology transfer, commercial-scale production, and the generation of qualified jobs. University and industry will act in an integrated manner, enhancing the economic and social impact of the research.
Perspectives for Thermal Solar Collectors in Brazil
The joint work of UFPB and UFCG reinforces the role of federal universities in developing innovative solutions for national challenges. Solar energy is one of the pillars of the energy transition, and advancements in thermal solar collectors directly contribute to the diversification of the Brazilian energy matrix.
The patent represents an important step towards technological sovereignty, demonstrating that Brazil has scientific capability to develop efficient, sustainable, and aligned solutions with its economic and environmental realities.
An Advance that Repositions Thermal Solar Energy in the Country
The technology patented by UFPB and UFCG represents a milestone for solar energy in Brazil. By employing ilmenite as the basis for selective absorbing surfaces, the innovation combines energy efficiency, cost reduction, and valorization of national resources.
The advancement strengthens scientific research, boosts industry, and expands access to thermal solar energy, establishing itself as a strategic solution for Brazil’s energy future. In a global energy transition scenario, initiatives like this can position Brazil as a leader in renewable energy innovation.
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