An apparatus for production of steam from an aqueous liquid includes (a) a solar panel with a pliable, essentially impermeable, polymer membrane having an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the outer surface is adapted to be directed towards the sun; a lattice structure adapted to support the inner surface of the polymer membrane; a backing, which together with the pliable polymer film, encases the lattice structure; an inlet for the aqueous liquid; an outlet for the steam produced, and (b) means for providing a vacuum connected to the outlet. The apparatus can be produced with few and relatively simple components thereby reducing the cost of the apparatus.

Described is a solar-energy converter device including a shell and a core inside the shell, wherein the shell and the core develop axially along a longitudinal axis and include a volume therebetween. The core includes a thermally conductive matrix in a thermal exchange relationship with the volume, the matrix housing one or more flow conduits for a working fluid, the one or more flow conduits being in thermal exchange relationship with the matrix. Moreover, described is a corresponding solar reactor and a corresponding plant.

Solar thermal power generation equipment is equipped with a wind turbine, a compressor, a heat receiver that receives sunlight to heat a compressed medium from the compressor, a turbine driven by the compressed medium heated with the heat receiver, a power generator that performs power generation by driving of the turbine, a transmission mechanism that transmits the rotation of the wind turbine to the power generator, and a tower which supports these components. The wind turbine, the compressor, the turbine, and the power generator each constitute an array apparatus. The plurality of array apparatuses are arranged in a vertical direction.

Method for conversion of energy, by which a sun energy, or heat energy, or radiation energy is converted in an other form of energy, where the energy in its heat form or in the form of radiation is supplied to a vaporizer of a heat pipe, and this energy is converted in the energy of a working gas of the heat pipe through (as a consequence of) the absorption of this energy by the working liquid of the heat pipe; the energy in its heat form is extracted (conducted away) from the condenser of the heat pipe, and the energy of movement of the gas of the heat pipe is converted in others, not heat forms of energy, in particular into electric energy, where additionally to the capillary or gravitational forces, usually acting in the heat pipe transport zone to recover the heat pipe liquid, an additional energy, in its mechanical or electrical or any other not-heat form, is supplied to the working liquid of the heat pipe, among other possibilities, from outside in respect to the heat pipe, and this additional energy is converted in a mechanical energy of a mechanical movement of this heat pipe working liquid, and at the same time one directs the gas flow from the vaporizer to the condenser through one or several constrictions, where the cross-section area of this constriction or these constrictions in the plane, which one is perpendicular to the direction of the gas flow, is essentially mach less than an average cross-section area of the vaporizer or condenser, which way an effectiveness of energy conversion is increased.

Thermochemical storage materials having the general formula A.sub.xA.sub.1-xB.sub.yB.sub.1-yO.sub.3-, where A=La, Sr, K, Ca, Ba, Y and B=Mn, Fe, Co, Ti, Ni, Cu, Zr, Al, Y, Cr, V, Nb, Mo, are disclosed. These materials have improved thermal storage energy density and reaction kinetics compared to previous materials. Concentrating solar power thermochemical systems and methods capable of storing heat energy by using these thermochemical storage materials are also disclosed.

Method for conversion of energy, by which a sun energy, or heat energy, or radiation energy is converted in an other form of energy, where the energy in its heat form or in the form of radiation is supplied to a vaporizer of a heat pipe, and this energy is converted in the energy of a working gas of the heat pipe through (as a consequence of) the absorption of this energy by the working liquid of the heat pipe; the energy in its heat form is extracted (conducted away) from the condenser of the heat pipe, and the energy of movement of the gas of the heat pipe is converted in others, not heat forms of energy, in particular into electric energy, where additionally to the capillary or gravitational forces, usually acting in the heat pipe transport zone to recover the heat pipe liquid, an additional energy, in its mechanical or electrical or any other not-heat form, is supplied to the working liquid of the heat pipe, among other possibilities, from outside in respect to the heat pipe, and this additional energy is converted in a mechanical energy of a mechanical movement of this heat pipe working liquid, and at the same time one directs the gas flow from the vaporizer to the condenser through one or several constrictions, where the cross-section area of this constriction or these constrictions in the plane, which one is perpendicular to the direction of the gas flow, is essentially mach less than an average cross-section area of the vaporizer or condenser, which way an effectiveness of energy conversion is increased.

Cogeneration system for thermal and electric energy production from thermosolar energy, having a solar field connected to a power island, a piping system through which a heat transfer fluid flows is provided. The piping system has pipe collectors and a thermal insulating system. The system has at least a photovoltaic panel placed over the piping system, connected to at least a battery further connected to heating device placed at the pipe collectors configured to receive power from the battery and to heat the heat transfer fluid to a temperature suitable for the operation of the power island during periods of low or non-existent solar radiation. A cogeneration method is also provided, which has harvesting solar energy by photovoltaic panels, storing the energy in batteries and heating the heat transfer fluid by the heating device.

Disclosed herein is a method comprising heating a strontium-containing compound using radiation in a first reactor; decomposing the strontium-containing compound into an oxide and carbon dioxide as a result of heat generated by the exposure to the radiation; reacting the oxide and the carbon dioxide in a second reactor; where the oxide and carbon dioxide react to produce heat; heating a working fluid using the heat produced in the second reactor; and driving a turbine with the heated working fluid to generate energy. Disclosed herein too is a composition comprising strontium carbonate; and strontium zirconate; where the mass ratio of strontium carbonate to strontium zirconate 2:8 to 8:2.

A system and method removes thermal decomposition components from biphenol and/or diphenyl oxide heat-transfer fluids. Light, volatile decomposition components such as benzene, water, hydrogen and phenol are passed out of the system for vapor recovery, chemical adsorption or thermal decomposition. Dimerized and polymerized heavy components such as biphenyl phenyl ether, terphenyl and isomers of each are concentrated and recovered for reprocessing and purification for reuse. The system can be operated as either a continuous, semi-continuous or batch operation. Solar electric plants employing the system can use solar field fluids and heating to operate the system during generator operation hours. A wash system operating at or near atmospheric pressure concentrates heavy thermal decomposition components while allowing light, volatile decomposition components to be removed for separation from the majority of the thermal fluid components. Temperature-controlled condensation of the majority of the thermal fluid components allows collection of the thermal fluid, while allowing light, volatile decomposition components to be removed from the system prior to vent processing.

A system for extracting work from the expansion of a working fluid includes a vessel having at least a portion of the working fluid, a heating device in thermal communication with the portion of the working fluid in the vessel for heating the portion of the working fluid in the vessel and expanding the working fluid, and a conversion tool. The conversion tool is in fluid communication with the vessel and is configured to receive working fluid from the vessel when the working fluid expands. The conversion tool is further configured to extract work from the expanded working fluid.