A method for generating a steam cycle at a pressure around 200 bars and a temperature around 600° C., using an industrial steam generator with a solar receiver admitting an incident solar flux around 600 kW/m.sup.2, includes: generating a water-steam mixture in the evaporator by transferring heat from the incident solar flux onto the evaporator; separating the water-steam mixture into saturated water and saturated steam in the separator drum, the saturated steam having a pressure from 160 to 200 bars and a temperature from 347 to 366° C.; injecting the feed water into the mixing drum, where it is mixed with the saturated water from the separator drum, the mixed water next returning toward the evaporator via the return pipe provided with the circulation pump, such that the temperature of the mixed water entering the evaporator is below the saturated steam temperature, by a value from 5 to 15° C.

A system for desalination of salt water using solar energy. The system includes an inner channel for flow of salt water there through, the inner channel having a cover thereover that is water vapor impermeable yet UV transparent or transmissive. A collection channel for collecting clean water extends along the inner channel. By having the inlet of salt water to the inner channel elevated in relation to the outlet of salt water from the inner channel, the salt water flow naturally through the channel. A solar-powered pump can be used to provide the salt water to the inlet.

A system for desalination of salt water using solar energy. The system includes an inner channel for flow of salt water there through, the inner channel having a cover thereover that is water vapor impermeable yet UV transparent or transmissive. A collection channel for collecting clean water extends along the inner channel. By having the inlet of salt water to the inner channel elevated in relation to the outlet of salt water from the inner channel, the salt water flow naturally through the channel. A solar-powered pump can be used to provide the salt water to the inlet.

A solar chemically recuperated gas turbine system includes an exhaust-gas reformer, a solar reformer and a gas turbine unit with a combustion chamber. The reaction outlet of the exhaust-gas reformer is connected to the inlet of the solar reformer, the flue gas side inlet of the exhaust-gas reformer is connected to the exhaust-gas outlet of the gas turbine. The solar reformer outlet is connected to the combustion chamber inlet. Combustion gas drives the gas turbine after fuel burns in the combustion chamber, and the exhaust gas enters the exhaust-gas reformer. Fuel and steam are mixed and enter the reaction side of the exhaust-gas reformer through a fuel inlet. A reforming reaction between the fuel and steam under heating of the exhaust gas generates syngas. A further reforming reaction occurs by absorbing concentrated solar energy after the syngas enters the solar reformer, and the reactant is provided to combustion chamber.

A solar thermal power system includes a solar receiver, and a thermal energy storage arrangement having thermal energy storage fluid to be circulated through the solar receiver to store thermal energy. The system includes a multistage steam turbine operable on variable pressure steam generated by a steam generator arrangement, by utilizing the thermal energy storage fluid. The arrangement includes an economizer section, an evaporator section, and a superheater section communicably configured to utilize the heat of the hot thermal energy storage fluid to generate and supply the variable pressure steam to the turbine. The system includes a recirculation line configured around the economizer section to recirculate the heated water to an inlet of the economizer section, increasing pressure range of the variable pressure steam in the arrangement.

Systems and methods for the desalination of water are disclosed. A system includes a concentrated solar power (CSP) system, the CSP system operable to concentrate solar energy to increase temperature and pressure of a heat transfer fluid and operable to produce steam utilizing heat from the heat transfer fluid; a photovoltaic (PV) system, the PV system operable to collect solar energy to produce electricity; a desalination system in fluid communication with the CSP system and in electrical communication with the PV system, the desalination system operable to produce desalinated water from a salt water source utilizing the steam from the CSP system and electricity from the PV system; and a pump station in fluid communication with the CSP system and the desalination system, and in electrical communication with the PV system, the pump station operable to transmit the desalinated water to consumers for use.

Inventive concentrated solar power systems using solar receivers, and related devices and methods, are generally described. Low pressure solar receivers are provided that function to convert solar radiation energy to thermal energy of a working fluid, e.g., a working fluid of a power generation or thermal storage system. In some embodiments, low pressure solar receivers are provided herein that are useful in conjunction with gas turbine based power generation systems.

Inventive concentrated solar power systems using solar receivers, and related devices and methods, are generally described. Low pressure solar receivers are provided that function to convert solar radiation energy to thermal energy of a working fluid, e.g., a working fluid of a power generation or thermal storage system. In some embodiments, low pressure solar receivers are provided herein that are useful in conjunction with gas turbine based power generation systems.

The invention relates to a method and to a steam power plant, wherein solar energy can be very flexibly and very efficiently coupled into the water steam circuit of the steam power plant.

The invention relates to a method and to a steam power plant, wherein solar energy can be very flexibly and very efficiently coupled into the water steam circuit of the steam power plant.