A bladed solar thermal receiver for absorbing concentrated sunlight is disclosed. The receiver includes a plurality of panels arranged in a bladed configuration for absorbing sunlight. The bladed configurations can be radial or planar. The receiver design increases the effective solar absorptance and efficiency by providing a light trap for the incident solar radiation while reducing heat losses from radiation and convection.

A bladed solar thermal receiver for absorbing concentrated sunlight is disclosed. The receiver includes a plurality of panels arranged in a bladed configuration for absorbing sunlight. The bladed configurations can be radial or planar. The receiver design increases the effective solar absorptance and efficiency by providing a light trap for the incident solar radiation while reducing heat losses from radiation and convection.

The invention relates to a switchable absorber element and a photovoltaic cell based thereon. A switchable absorber element according to the invention has an absorber layer. The absorber element furthermore has at least one front side reflection layer and at least one rear side reflection layer, wherein the absorber layer is arranged between front side reflection layer and rear side reflection layer, wherein the optical path length between front side reflection layer and rear side reflection layer is less than 400 nm at least for light impinging perpendicularly onto the cell. The absorber element according to the invention is characterized in that at least one of the reflection layers has a switchable reflectivity.

The invention relates to a switchable absorber element and a photovoltaic cell based thereon. A switchable absorber element according to the invention has an absorber layer. The absorber element furthermore has at least one front side reflection layer and at least one rear side reflection layer, wherein the absorber layer is arranged between front side reflection layer and rear side reflection layer, wherein the optical path length between front side reflection layer and rear side reflection layer is less than 400 nm at least for light impinging perpendicularly onto the cell. The absorber element according to the invention is characterized in that at least one of the reflection layers has a switchable reflectivity.

Chemical processors are configured to reduce mass, work in conjunction with solar concentrators, and/or house porous inserts in microchannel or mesochannel devices made by additive manufacturing. Methods of making chemical processors containing porous inserts by additive manufacturing are also disclosed.

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 hydrogen production apparatus includes: a first furnace configured to heat a mixed gas of a raw material gas, which contains at least methane, and hydrogen to 1,000 C. or more and 2,000 C. or less; and a second furnace configured to accommodate a catalyst for accelerating a reaction of a first gas generated in the first furnace to a nanocarbon material, and to maintain the first gas at 500 C. or more and 1,200 C. or less.

A concentrated solar thermal receiver is mounted on a tower to receive concentrated solar thermal energy from a concentrating array of solar reflectors. The receiver comprises a single layered array of tubes configured to carry a heat transfer fluid such as sodium and defining in combination an exposed concentrated solar thermal energy receiving surface. The array of tubes have a lower fluid inlet header communicating with an inlet conduit, and an upper fluid outlet communicating with an outlet conduit. The tubes are arranged in a serpentine configuration and define a fluid flow path which is predominantly transverse and upward. The receiver includes a thermally insulating cover movable between an open position and a closed position in which the solar thermal energy receiving surface is covered to block or reduce the incidence of solar flux on the tubes or to reduce heat loss from the array of tubes when they are not operational.

A concentrated solar thermal receiver is mounted on a tower to receive concentrated solar thermal energy from a concentrating array of solar reflectors. The receiver comprises a single layered array of tubes configured to carry a heat transfer fluid such as sodium and defining in combination an exposed concentrated solar thermal energy receiving surface. The array of tubes have a lower fluid inlet header communicating with an inlet conduit, and an upper fluid outlet communicating with an outlet conduit. The tubes are arranged in a serpentine configuration and define a fluid flow path which is predominantly transverse and upward. The receiver includes a thermally insulating cover movable between an open position and a closed position in which the solar thermal energy receiving surface is covered to block or reduce the incidence of solar flux on the tubes or to reduce heat loss from the array of tubes when they are not operational.