406 results about "Solar thermal energy" patented technology

A bioreactor and bioreactor system are suitable for the growth of materials from algae. More specifically, the system preferred embodiments use concentrated sunlight in a solo- or co-generation system to produce algae and products therefrom as well as solar thermal energy.

A method, apparatus, and system for a solar-driven chemical plant that may include a solar thermal receiver having a cavity with an inner wall, where the solar thermal receiver is aligned to absorb concentrated solar energy from one or more of 1) an array of heliostats, 2) solar concentrating dishes, and 3) any combination of the two. Some embodiments may include a solar-driven chemical reactor having multiple reactor tubes located inside the cavity of solar thermal receiver, wherein a chemical reaction driven by radiant heat occurs in the multiple reactor tubes, and wherein particles of biomass are gasified in the presence of a steam (H2O) carrier gas and methane (CH4) in a simultaneous steam reformation and steam biomass gasification reaction to produce reaction products that include hydrogen and carbon monoxide gas using the solar thermal energy from the absorbed concentrated solar energy in the multiple reactor tubes.

A method to integrate collected solar thermal energy into the feedwater system of a Rankine cycle power plant is disclosed. This novelty uses a closed loop, single phase fluid system to collect both the solar heat and to provide the heat input into the feedwater stream of a regenerative Rankine cycle. One embodiment of this method of integrating solar energy into a regenerative Rankine power plant cycle, such as a coal power plant, allows for automatic balancing of the steam extraction flows and does not change the temperature of the feedwater to the boiler. The concept, depending on the application, allows for the spare turbine capacity normally available in a coal plant to be used to produce incremental capacity and energy that is powered by solar thermal energy. By “piggybacking” on the available components and infrastructure of the host Rankine cycle power plant, considerable cost savings are achieved resulting in lower solar produced electricity costs.

An apparatus and a method is disclosed for storage of solar energy in a subsurface geologic reservoir. The method includes transferring concentrated solar thermal energy to a fluid, thereby generating a supercritical fluid. The supercritical fluid is then injected into the subsurface geologic reservoir through at least one injection well. The subsurface geologic reservoir may be a highly permeable and porous sedimentary strata, a depleted hydrocarbon field, a depleting hydrocarbon field, a depleted oil field, a depleting oil field, a depleted gas field, or a depleting gas field. Once charged with the supercritical fluid, the subsurface geologic formation forms a synthetic geothermal reservoir.

An apparatus and a method is disclosed for storage of solar energy in a subsurface geologic reservoir. The method includes transferring concentrated solar thermal energy to a fluid, thereby generating a supercritical fluid. The supercritical fluid is then injected into the subsurface geologic reservoir through at least one injection well. The subsurface geologic reservoir may be a highly permeable and porous sedimentary strata, a depleted hydrocarbon field, a depleting hydrocarbon field, a depleted oil field, a depleting oil field, a depleted gas field, or a depleting gas field. Once charged with the supercritical fluid, the subsurface geologic formation forms a synthetic geothermal reservoir.

A system and method for assembling and operating a solar powered aircraft, composed of one or more modular constituent wing panels. Each wing panel includes at least one hinge interface that is configured to rotationally interface with a complementary hinge interface on another wing panel. When a first and second wing panel are coupled together via the rotational interface, they can rotate with respect to each other within a predetermined angular range. The aircraft further comprises a control system that is configured to acquire aircraft operating information and atmospheric information and use the same alter the angle between the wing panels, even if there are multiple wing panels. One or more of the wing panels can include photovoltaic cells and / or solar thermal cells to convert solar radiation energy or solar heat energy into electricity, that can be used to power electric motors. Further, the control system is configured to alter an angle between a wing panel and the horizon, or the angle between wing panels, to maximize solar radiation energy and solar thermal energy collection. A tail assembly for the aircraft includes a rotational pivot that allows the flight control surfaces to rotate to different orientations to avoid or reduce flutter loads and to increase solar radiation energy and / or solar thermal energy collection from photovoltaic cells and / or solar thermal cells the can be located on the tail structure associated with the flight control surfaces.

A method to integrate collected solar thermal energy into the feedwater system of a Rankine cycle power plant is disclosed. This novelty uses a closed loop, single phase fluid system to collect both the solar heat and to provide the heat input into the feedwater stream of a regenerative Rankine cycle. One embodiment of this method of integrating solar energy into a regenerative Rankine power plant cycle, such as a coal power plant, allows for automatic balancing of the steam extraction flows and does not change the temperature of the feedwater to the boiler. The concept, depending on the application, allows for the spare turbine capacity normally available in a coal plant to be used to produce incremental capacity and energy that is powered by solar thermal energy. By “piggybacking” on the available components and infrastructure of the host Rankine cycle power plant, considerable cost savings are achieved resulting in lower solar produced electricity costs.

At an absorber station, CO2 is absorbed from a gas stream into a suitable solvent whereby to convert the solvent into a CO2-enriched medium, which is conveyed to a desorber station, typically nearer to a solar energy field than to the absorber station. Working fluid, heated in the solar energy field by insolation, is employed to effect desorption of CO2 from the CO2-enriched medium, whereby to produce separate CO2 and regenerated solvent streams. The regenerated solvent stream is recycled to the absorber station. The CO2-enriched medium and / or the regenerated solvent stream may be selectively accumulated so as to respectively optimise the timing and rate of absorption and desorption of CO2 and / or to provide a storage of solar energy.

The invention relates generally to framing systems and more particularly is concerned with systems adapted to mount panels or laminates in an array (12) on a supporting roof structure (10) of a building exemplified with the mounting of solar electric photovoltaic (PV) panels. The framing system described uses extruded elongate elements with a sealing element (37) to frame the PV panel as a weatherproof PV solar roof tile. Individual frame element profiles effectively embody the PV building integration (BiPV), or mounting method, of the solar tile within the frame itself. Only a few additional flashing components are needed to complete the PV tile array as part of the roof, or with minor variations, as a PV wall cladding. Full BiPV panel mounting methods show potential to be used for co-generation (PV / T) of solar thermal energy capture in buildings. The batten support structures (11) of the solar tile permit variation in roof batten spacing to be tolerated in retro-fit situations, make trafficable roof with the tiles possible and provide long term weather-ability as a building element through moisture reduction by air flow and smaller surface contact. Draining of internal roof condensate from the back of the tiles to the exterior is another feature of the frame system described.

A logic boiler that consists of a concentrated solar energy boiler, a thermal storage system, and a traditional fossil fuel boiler is replacement of the traditional fossil fuel boiler in a power plant for solar thermal electric power generation. The thermal storage system or fossil fuel boiler compensates the output steam of the solar energy boiler to provide on demand, reliable and regulated steam for steam turbine. The controls sequences provide results that maximize the output of the solar boiler while provide the regulated and fast responded steam to the turbine. The control sequences also provide an algorithm to store excessive thermal energy from the solar energy boiler into the thermal storage system. The power plant sees the logic boiler as a conventional boiler without knowing the details of working sequences between the solar boiler and fossil fuel boiler or thermal storage.

A novel combination of technologies from the fields of coffee roasting and solar-thermal energy collection enables the roasting of coffee beans by means of available solar energy with maximized efficiency. A solar receiving plate is provided configured to receive and convert solar radiation to thermal energy for heating a volume of air. A roasting chamber is provided configured for receiving and circulating the heated air from the solar plate. At least one valve is provided configured to be in at least one of a closed position and an open position for controlling at least one of air inflow and outflow into at least one of said solar receiving plate and said roasting chamber.

A solar thermal powered aircraft powered by heat energy from the sun. A heat engine, such as a Stirling engine, is carried by the aircraft body for producing power for a propulsion mechanism, such as a propeller. The heat engine has a thermal battery in thermal contact with it so that heat is supplied from the thermal battery. A solar concentrator, such as reflective parabolic trough, is movably connected to an optically transparent section of the aircraft body for receiving and concentrating solar energy from within the aircraft. Concentrated solar energy is collected by a heat collection and transport conduit, and heat transported to the thermal battery. A solar tracker includes a heliostat for determining optimal alignment with the sun, and a drive motor actuating the solar concentrator into optimal alignment with the sun based on a determination by the heliostat.

A solar thermal powered aircraft powered by heat energy from the sun. A heat engine, such as a Stirling engine, is carried by the aircraft body for producing power for a propulsion mechanism, such as a propeller. The heat engine has a thermal battery in thermal contact with it so that heat is supplied from the thermal battery. A solar concentrator, such as reflective parabolic trough, is movably connected to an optically transparent section of the aircraft body for receiving and concentrating solar energy from within the aircraft. Concentrated solar energy is collected by a heat collection and transport conduit, and heat transported to the thermal battery. A solar tracker includes a heliostat for determining optimal alignment with the sun, and a drive motor actuating the solar concentrator into optimal alignment with the sun based on a determination by the heliostat.

A method, apparatus, and system for a solar-driven bio-refinery that may include a entrained-flow biomass feed system that is feedstock flexible via particle size control of the biomass. Some embodiments include a chemical reactor that receives concentrated solar thermal energy from an array of heliostats. The entrained-flow biomass feed system can use an entrainment carrier gas and supplies a variety of biomass sources fed as particles into the solar-driven chemical reactor. Biomass sources in a raw state or partially torrified state may be used, as long as parameters such as particle size of the biomass are controlled. Additionally, concentrated solar thermal energy can drive gasification of the particles. An on-site fuel synthesis reactor may receive the hydrogen and carbon monoxide products from the gasification reaction use the hydrogen and carbon monoxide products in a hydrocarbon fuel synthesis process to create a liquid hydrocarbon fuel.

A thermal storage system 1 includes: heat transfer medium that absorbs the solar thermal energy; phase-change material 10a6 that is heat exchanged with the heat transfer medium; and first thermal storage tanks (stratified tanks 10a-10c) in which the phase-change material 10a6 is supported and through which the heat transfer medium flows, wherein a plurality of the first thermal storage tanks (stratified tanks 10a-10c) are present, and the first thermal storage tanks (stratified tanks 10a-10c) are connected in parallel for the heat transfer medium flowing through, when storing the solar thermal energy, while the first thermal storage tanks (stratified tanks 10a-10c) are connected in series for the heat transfer medium flowing through, when exploiting the stored solar thermal energy. The thermal storage system is capable of exploiting the solar thermal energy more efficiently than conventional ones, while considering a variation in the amount of solar thermal energy.

A high-efficiency residential solar thermal power plant for economically generating power from solar-thermal energy, using a parabolic trough mirror having a longitudinal focal axis, for concentrating sunlight, a timer rotator for rotating the mirror about the focal and longitudinal rotation axis to follow the sun, and a heat collector surrounding a flow channel that preferably has an oblong cross-sectional shape with a major axis aligned with a longitudinal plane of symmetry of the parabolic trough mirror. The heat collector is coaxially positioned along the focal axis of said mirror to receive concentrated sunlight so that a working fluid is heated and provided for use through an outlet end of the heat collector.

The invention provides a cold-heat cogeneration system in which the solar energy and the biomass energy are complemented. The cold-heat cogeneration system is characterized by comprising a solar energy heat collecting box 1 which is communicated with a hot water storage box 2, wherein the hot water storage box 2 is communicated with a high temperature fermentation apparatus 3 which is communicated with a medium temperature fermentation apparatus 4; the medium temperature fermentation apparatus 4 is communicated with a normal temperature fermentation apparatus 5; the high temperature fermentation apparatus 3, the medium temperature fermentation apparatus 4 and the normal temperature fermentation apparatus 5 are communicated with a compressing apparatus 6 and are connected with a circulating water pump 14 which is connected with the solar energy heat collecting box 1; the compressing apparatus 6 is connected with a refrigerating device which is communicated with a purifying device 11, the purifying device 11 is connected with a generating device which is connected with the refrigerating device, and a turbo pressurized cooler 9 and a cooler 10 for a cylinder sleeve arranged at the lower part of the generating device are connected with a heat exchanger 12 and the hot water storage box 2. The cold-heat cogeneration system has the advantages of high energy utilization rate, low cost and good economical efficiency.

The invention relates to a high-capacity combination type solar thermochemistry cascaded heat storage device and solar energy application. The high-capacity combination type solar thermochemistry cascaded heat storage device comprises a solar heat collector, a solid-gas chemical reactor, a refrigerant liquid storage device and a cooling towel. Three heat storage slat absorbing agents are filled inside the solid-gas chemical reactor. Under the same working pressure, desorption equilibrium temperatures of the three heat storage salt absorbing agents decrease gradually in the flowing direction of heat exchanging fluid and the three heat storage salt absorbing agents are distributed in a cascaded mode. Thermochemistry absorption heat storage is utilized, and multiple reaction salts of different temperature zones are adopted so that the defect that in an existing solar energy thermochemistry heat storage device, reactants cannot conduct thermal decomposition reaction at a certain moment due to the fact that the temperature of collected solar heat energy is low is overcome. Therefore, a novel solar energy thermochemistry cascaded heat storage technology can reduce the influences of solar energy time volatility and can be better matched with solar heat energy, and high-efficiency heat storage of the solar heat energy can be realized through the cascaded combination of the heat storage reaction slats of different temperature zones.

Self-powered portable electronic devices are disclosed that have the capacity to generate their own electrical power, store electrical charge, and distribute electrical power to similarly designed devices in close proximity. Devices generate power in part using one or more non-solar thermal energy sources that have increased stability and efficiency compared to current solar cell powered devices. Devices comprise components including, control processors, data storage, energy storage, dedicated energy and power management processors, and thermophotovoltaic cells that convert thermal energy into electrical power. Devices are capable of transmitting and receiving energy, power, voice and data information using standard frequencies associated with portable devices. Additionally, the invention discloses methods, systems, and apparatuses comprising circuitry that can control power generation from multiple thermophotovoltaic cells and traditional power sources.

The invention discloses a heliostat tracking control device and a tracking control method thereof, and the heliostat tracking control device comprises a remote control center, main controllers, transmission mechanisms, stepping motors and heliostat position feedback devices, wherein each heliostat position feedback device comprise an acceleration transducer and an absolute value encoder; each acceleration transducer is installed on the surface of a corresponding heliostat, and the absolute value encoder is installed on the output shaft of the corresponding transmission mechanism; the output end of each heliostat position feedback device is connected with the input end of the corresponding main controller; the remote control center is connected with each main controller; the output end of each main controller is connected with the input end of the corresponding stepping motor; and the input shaft and output shaft of each transmission mechanism are respectively connected with the output shaft of the corresponding stepping motor and the corresponding heliostat. By utilizing the heliostat tracking control device provided by the invention, the orbit of the sun can be accurately tracked, the sunlight is effectively reflected to a heat collector, and the solar heat utilization ratio is improved.

A solar thermal energy collector includes a receptacle and a tube positioned within the receptacle and having a closed end. The tube includes a divider cross-sectionally bifurcating the tube. The divider is spaced apart from the closed end of the tube to allow fluid communication between two bifurcated portions of the tube. A fluid is circulated through the two bifurcated portions of the tube for transferring of the solar thermal energy.

A solar water heater includes a number of elongate water heating units which can be interconnected in series. The solar water heater can be installed vertically or inclined to have maximum solar exposure. Each water heating unit can utilize inner and outer glass tubes, which may or may not be a twin glass tube, to collect and conserve solar thermal energy inside. An inner metal water container extends through an opening in the inner and outer glass tubes. Heat transfer elements can be inserted between the inner tube and the metal water container. The solar water heater can work on natural convection and city water pressure.

A system or methodology for converting thermal energy obtained from solar thermal, photovoltaic, geothermal or industrial waste heat into electrical power is disclosed. The energy efficient way of transferring two steams of liquid solutions containing different concentrations of ionic species is disclosed. The combination of thermal gradient in addition to concentration gradient to improve efficiency, reduce or avoid fouling is disclosed. This invention describes a method of efficient ion migration from concentrated stream to dilute stream thereby improving DC power generation process. The utilization of solar thermal energy from solar collector or concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) generator system or solar thermal power generation (CSP) system provides the additional driving force for ions transport from concentrated stream to dilute stream, apart from the concentration grading to generating power. The thermal power is also used to bring back the diluted steam to original concentration in the reverse Electro dialysis system. The utilization of CPV process heat or solar or waste heat for bringing back the dilute stream into the concentrated stream for next operation of ions gradient power generation is also disclosed in this invention.

A solar thermal energy collector includes a receptacle and a tube. The tube is adapted to fit within the receptacle and defines a first region within the tube and a second region between the tube and an internal surface of the receptacle. A fluid is circulated between the first region and the second region for transferring of the solar thermal energy.

A baffle system that can be used to provide ventilation to attics and roofs at the time of new roof construction or retrofit and further provides for solar thermal energy control and harvesting systems in conjunction or combination with the baffle systems. According to one embodiment, the baffle vents are made from a resilient material and are designed and configured to be flexed into a deformed shape, positioned between adjacent roof rafters and released whereupon the baffle vents become wedged between adjacent roof rafters. According to another embodiment the baffle vents have side edge portions that are configured to extend over the upper portions of roof rafters and thereby support the baffle vents between adjacent roof rafters. The baffle vents can function as radiant barriers by providing the baffle vents with a reflecting coating(s) or reflective surface(s). The baffle vents can function as radiant collectors by positioning solar thermal collectors in the air flow channels defined by the baffle vents and darkening the lower surface of the roof sheeting plane. Stock baffle vents are configured to provide for insulation dams that can be cut from the ends of the baffle vents.

Solar energy collection and storage systems and processes of using such systems. Non-direct solar energy collection and storage systems can generate electricity from solar radiation using a solar thermoelectric generator and at the same time capture solar thermal energy in a working fluid. The working fluid can then transfer the heat to a thermal storage medium where the heat can be retrieved on demand to generate electricity and heat a fluid. Direct solar energy collection and storage systems can store solar thermal energy in a thermal storage medium directly from solar radiation and the heat from the thermal storage medium can be used on demand to generate electricity and heat a fluid.

The invention relates to a solar thermochemical adsorption seasonal efficient energy storage device and method, and belongs to the technical field of solar thermal storage. When solar thermal energy is stored in summer, a solar thermal collector, a heating circulating pump, a heating switching valve and a solid-gas chemical reactor heat exchange coil are connected one another, a cooling tower, a cooling circulating pump, a cooling switching valve and a liquid accumulator heat exchange coil are connected one another, and solar efficient thermal storage is realized by converting solar thermal energy into chemical adsorption potential energy; and when solar thermal energy is released for supplying heat in winter, an internal reaction heat cascaded regeneration technology is carried out, a low-temperature reactor heat exchange coil, a heat regeneration circulating pump, a heat regeneration valve and a high-temperature liquid accumulator heat exchange coil are connected one another, a high-temperature reactor heat exchange coil, a heat supply circulating pump, a heat supply valve and a heat user are connected one another, and the warm-up heating to the outside through the stored solar heat is realized by converting chemical adsorption potential energy into thermal energy. Compared with the prior art, the device has the remarkable advantages that the energy storage density is high, the thermal loss is small during the seasonal energy storage period, the energy stored quality is enhanced, and the like.

The invention is a water generator device from air utilizing solar thermal energy and adsorption principle. The system is based on an adsorption refrigeration unit with Ether as a refrigerant and activated carbon as adsorbed. The required heat is generated from evacuated tube solar system and the heat sink is the atmosphere. The adsorption unit is an air-cooled refrigeration unit that can operate at relatively low hot water temperature (60-70° C.) and relatively high atmospheric temperature (30-40° C.). The water condensed from air is than driven through a simple water purification unit to assure its quality as drinking water. The very small electricity needed to operate the hot water and cold water pumps along with the filtration unit and the controller of the adsorption unit is generated from a small Photo Voltaic (PV) unit for stand alone systems.

Heat from a concentrated solar power source is applied to the conversion of carbonaceous materials such as heavy petroleum crude oils, coals and biomass to liquid hydrocarbons. The solar heat is applied to provide at least a portion of the process heat used in the high temperature, short contact time hydropyrolysis of the carbonaceous material which is supplied with hydrogen generated by a high temperature process such as high temperature steam electrolysis, the sulfur-iodine cycle, the hybrid sulfur cycle, the zinc-zinc oxide cycle or by methane steam cracking. The heat from the solar source may be used to generate electricity to operate high temperature steam electrolysis used in generation of the hydrogen. By the use of solar thermal energy sources, hydrocarbon resource utilization for process heat is eliminated along with carbon dioxide evolution associated with burning of the hydrocarbon resource to generate process heat. The substitution of zero carbon emission sources therefore offers the potential for significant carbon emission reductions in refinery operations where external process heat can be applied and effectively utilized.