A system for distilling water is disclosed. The system comprises a heat source, and a plurality of open-cycle adsorption stages, each stage comprising a plurality of beds and an evaporator and a condenser between a first bed and a second bed, wherein each bed comprises at least two vapor valves, a plurality of hollow tubes, a plurality of channels adapted for transferring water vapor to and from at least one of the condenser or the evaporator, a thermally conductive water vapor adsorbent, and wherein each vapor valve connects a bed to either the condenser or the evaporator.

A system for distilling water is disclosed. The system comprises a heat source, and a plurality of open-cycle adsorption stages, each stage comprising a plurality of beds and an evaporator and a condenser between a first bed and a second bed, wherein each bed comprises at least two vapor valves, a plurality of hollow tubes, a plurality of channels adapted for transferring water vapor to and from at least one of the condenser or the evaporator, a thermally conductive water vapor adsorbent, and wherein each vapor valve connects a bed to either the condenser or the evaporator.

A solar-powered generator captures solar energy and generates steam with the energy. The generator includes a container formed with an inner spherical wall defining an inner chamber and having an inner reflective surface containing photovoltaic cells and an outer spherical wall defining an outer chamber located between the inner and outer spherical walls. The container is formed to allow for sunlight to enter the inner chamber. An inlet port is configured to allow water to enter the outer chamber and an outlet port is configured to allow steam to exit the outer chamber, whereby sunlight entering the inner chamber through the passage bounces off of the inner reflective surface allowing thermal energy to heat the water in the outer chamber to create steam to generate electricity through an external steam turbine. While simultaneously using radiant energy to be absorbed by photovoltaic cells to generate additional electricity.

A solar-powered generator captures solar energy and generates steam with the energy. The generator includes a container formed with an inner spherical wall defining an inner chamber and having an inner reflective surface containing photovoltaic cells and an outer spherical wall defining an outer chamber located between the inner and outer spherical walls. The container is formed to allow for sunlight to enter the inner chamber. An inlet port is configured to allow water to enter the outer chamber and an outlet port is configured to allow steam to exit the outer chamber, whereby sunlight entering the inner chamber through the passage bounces off of the inner reflective surface allowing thermal energy to heat the water in the outer chamber to create steam to generate electricity through an external steam turbine. While simultaneously using radiant energy to be absorbed by photovoltaic cells to generate additional electricity.

Disclosed is a device with a heat exchanger having a first flow through which a first gaseous heat transfer medium passes and a second flow through which a second gaseous heat transfer medium passes. Upstream of the first flow, there is a combustion chamber, which optionally extends into the first flow. Two feed lines are attached to the first flow, of which the first feed line is connected to a thermal solar installation and the second feed line is connected to a source for a combustible gas-air mixture or for a non-combustible gas, in particular an oxygen-containing gas, such as air.

The invention relates to a processing system comprising a processing unit (1, 60, 100) that can be operated between an upper (To) and a lower (Tu) temperature. A first heat accumulator (3, 61) and a second heat accumulator (4, 62) are operationally interconnected by means of a line arrangement (L) for a heat-transporting medium, said processing unit (1, 60, 100) being arranged in a first section (I) of said line arrangement (L) between the first (3, 61) and the second heat accumulator (4, 62).

The invention relates to a processing system comprising a processing unit (1, 60, 100) that can be operated between an upper (To) and a lower (Tu) temperature. A first heat accumulator (3, 61) and a second heat accumulator (4, 62) are operationally interconnected by means of a line arrangement (L) for a heat-transporting medium, said processing unit (1, 60, 100) being arranged in a first section (I) of said line arrangement (L) between the first (3, 61) and the second heat accumulator (4, 62).

A particle receiver includes an inlet, an outlet and multiple tubes rotatably coupled to the inlet and the outlet. The tubes receive particles via the inlet, the particles passing along a passageway of each of the tubes to the outlet. The tubes receive a solar flux as they rotate to heat the particles passing through the tubes. A heat transfer coefficient of the particles is increased by increased mixing via air flowing in the tubes, fins used to mix the particles or via channels via which the particles pass through that increase turnover and mixing of the particles.

A particle receiver includes an inlet, an outlet and multiple tubes rotatably coupled to the inlet and the outlet. The tubes receive particles via the inlet, the particles passing along a passageway of each of the tubes to the outlet. The tubes receive a solar flux as they rotate to heat the particles passing through the tubes. A heat transfer coefficient of the particles is increased by increased mixing via air flowing in the tubes, fins used to mix the particles or via channels via which the particles pass through that increase turnover and mixing of the particles.

The invention provides an apparatus which can heat water using a Fresnel lens or magnifying glass to focus and concentrate sunlight on water-filled radiator-like tubes which move water, by the water pressure from a water spigot/bib (without pumping), to:

1. move the heated water through tubes to heat any space inside any building, and

2. provide steam to power a steam-powered electricity generator to provide electricity, and charge a battery, during daylight hours, and then use the charged battery to supply electricity during the night hours, and

3. move water, cooled by the subsurface ground, by water pressure from a water spigot/bib without pumping, into proximity with any air space inside any building to cool the air space, and

4. array a series of magnifying glasses or Fresnel lenses in order to catch the rays of the sun from sunrise to sunset and focus those rays on the car radiator-like tubes full of water in order to heat the water without using fossil fuels, and

5. support the, array of magnifying glasses or Fresnel lenses and car-radiator-like water tubes with arch structures to hear the weight and protect the structure from earthquake damage.