A method for improving the efficiency of a solar heating system based on absorbing heat from solar radiation through the surface of an exposed tube to a liquid. The heat transfer device makes use of this fluid to transfer heat from the outside of the wall to the inside of the wall. The inside wall is then used to heat air that is passed over it, and that air is then used to heat up a heat storage system.

A method for improving the efficiency of a solar heating system based on absorbing heat from solar radiation through the surface of an exposed tube to a liquid. The heat transfer device makes use of this fluid to transfer heat from the outside of the wall to the inside of the wall. The inside wall is then used to heat air that is passed over it, and that air is then used to heat up a heat storage system.

A method for grease purification is disclosed. The method comprises steps of: S1, feeding crude grease into a grease hydrolysis column to be hydrolysed so as to obtain aqueous phase, organic phase, and middle layer substances between the aqueous phase and the organic phase; S2, feeding the organic phase and the middle layer substances in the grease hydrolysis column into a flash stripping column to be flashed so as to obtain vaporized products and non-vaporized products; and S3, feeding the vaporized products in the flash stripping column into a separation column to be separated so as to obtain fatty acid. By this method, fatty acid with a high purity can be obtained; glycerin can be obtained as a co-product; and high value-added nutrients in the grease can be collected. Therefore, the use value of grease can be greatly improved.

A method for grease purification is disclosed. The method comprises steps of: S1, feeding crude grease into a grease hydrolysis column to be hydrolysed so as to obtain aqueous phase, organic phase, and middle layer substances between the aqueous phase and the organic phase; S2, feeding the organic phase and the middle layer substances in the grease hydrolysis column into a flash stripping column to be flashed so as to obtain vaporized products and non-vaporized products; and S3, feeding the vaporized products in the flash stripping column into a separation column to be separated so as to obtain fatty acid. By this method, fatty acid with a high purity can be obtained; glycerin can be obtained as a co-product; and high value-added nutrients in the grease can be collected. Therefore, the use value of grease can be greatly improved.

The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods to control particle mass flow rate in solar receivers and associated heat exchangers based on feedback from one or more temperatures of particles in the system.

Technologies are disclosed herein for a thin heat exchanger through which coolant may be pumped. The heat exchanger may include an envelope and a heat conduction layer provided over the envelope. The envelope may include one or more channels formed therein. The channels formed between the envelope and the conduction layer may extend the length of the heat exchange layer and be configured to carry coolant therethrough. The heat exchange layer may include an inlet manifold on a first end and an outlet manifold on another end opposing the first end. The inlet manifold may allow the flow of coolant into the heat exchange layer and the outlet manifold may allow the removal of the coolant from the heat exchange layer. Coolant flow may be controlled by a suction pump operating under computer control based at least in part on sensor data.

Technologies are disclosed herein for a thin heat exchanger through which coolant may be pumped. The heat exchanger may include an envelope and a heat conduction layer provided over the envelope. The envelope may include one or more channels formed therein. The channels formed between the envelope and the conduction layer may extend the length of the heat exchange layer and be configured to carry coolant therethrough. The heat exchange layer may include an inlet manifold on a first end and an outlet manifold on another end opposing the first end. The inlet manifold may allow the flow of coolant into the heat exchange layer and the outlet manifold may allow the removal of the coolant from the heat exchange layer. Coolant flow may be controlled by a suction pump operating under computer control based at least in part on sensor data.

A solar vapor generator includes an absorber to absorb sunlight and an emitter, in thermal communication with the absorber, to radiatively evaporate a liquid under less than 1 sun illumination and without pressurization. The emitter is physically separated from the liquid, substantially reducing fouling of the emitter. The absorber and the emitter may also be heated to temperatures higher than the boiling point of the liquid and may thus may be used to further superheat the vapor. Solar vapor generation can provide the basis for many sustainable desalination, sanitization, and process heating technologies.

A solar vapor generator includes an absorber to absorb sunlight and an emitter, in thermal communication with the absorber, to radiatively evaporate a liquid under less than 1 sun illumination and without pressurization. The emitter is physically separated from the liquid, substantially reducing fouling of the emitter. The absorber and the emitter may also be heated to temperatures higher than the boiling point of the liquid and may thus may be used to further superheat the vapor. Solar vapor generation can provide the basis for many sustainable desalination, sanitization, and process heating technologies.

A heat collector device is provided. The heat collector includes an exterior surface exposed to an environment, and an interior surface. Side walls separate the exterior and interior surfaces. A heat insulation interposes the exterior and interior surfaces. Each hot air duct includes a first portion interfacing with the external surface and a second portion interfacing with the heat insulation. Each cold air duct is encompassed by the heat insulation. A first chamber formed by a first side wall provides fluidic communication between the air ducts at a first end portion of each respective duct. A second chamber formed by a second side wall provides fluidic communication between the air ducts at a second end portion of each respective duct. A heat exchange mechanism disposed in the second chamber removes heat from a first fluidic medium of the air ducts, the first chamber, and the second chamber.