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 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.

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.

Method for operating a solar installation. The solar installation includes a solar field with direct evaporation accompanied by the generation of superheated live steam, a turbine for expanding the live steam, and a generator driven by the turbine for generating electrical energy. At least one valve is associated with the turbine by which the amount of live steam fed to the turbine is adjusted. The valve, or each valve, through which the amount of live steam fed to the turbine is adjusted such that an actual value of a live steam pressure occurring upstream of the turbine follows a reference value determined depending on a live steam temperature of the live steam upstream of the turbine.

Heat storage devices and circuits suitable for storing solar energy, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. Representative systems can include a solar energy collection system having a first solar field coupled between a first working fluid source and a target heat user via first fluid network, at least one heat storage device, and a second solar field coupled to the at least one heat storage device via a second fluid network. The second fluid network carries a second working fluid and is isolated from fluid communication with the first fluid network. At least one heat exchanger is coupled to the first and second fluid networks to provide thermal communication between the first and second fluid networks.

The present invention provides a steam generator capable of greatly improving energy efficiency, and an energy supply system that uses the steam generator. The steam generator of the present invention includes a high-temperature chamber to which heat of 250° C. to 800° C. is supplied; a low-temperature chamber arranged adjacent to the high-temperature chamber and configured to produce low-temperature steam of 50° C. to 185° C. from water using the heat of the high-temperature chamber; and at least one thermoelectric element arranged between the high-temperature chamber and the low-temperature chamber.

A process for enhancing boiling to generate steam and superheated-steam by using renewable energy from Concentrated Solar Power. Steam can generate electricity, heating and cooling, sterilization, and other processes and products. The embodiment is made of a light weight small assembly and rotates on the X and Y axis to align with the solar radiation. The assembly has a steam generation unit (28) with Fresnel lenses affixed to concentrate the solar radiation and generate heat. The focal point of the radiation being concentrated is directed to the inner side of a glass tube (30) covered with nanoparticles. The surface area being heated by the solar radiation is increased by the use of nano articles. Water atomization/aerosol unit (60) creates reduced size water droplets that are channeled to glass tube (30) and put into contact with the heated nanoparticles. The atomized/aerosol water droplets help reduce heat dissipation.

A hybrid steam power plant is disclosed using the steam generator as a sub-construction for a solar receiver.

Separators and mixers for delivering controlled-quality solar-generated steam over long distances for enhanced oil recovery, and associated systems and methods. A representative method includes heating water to steam at a solar field, separating a liquid fraction from the steam, directing the steam toward a target steam user via a first, steam conduit, and directing the liquid fraction toward the target steam user in parallel with the steam via second, liquid fraction conduit. The method can further include mixing the liquid fraction and the steam before delivering the combined liquid fraction and steam to the target user.