Withdrawing thermal energy obtained from a focused input of solar radiation can be complicated by issues associated with heat transfer media presently used for this purpose. By disposing carbon nanotubes on a fluidizable support and utilizing the carbon nanotubes as a fluidizable heat transfer medium, improved heat transfer characteristics can be realized due to the near-blackbody thermal absorption properties of the carbon nanotubes, in addition to other provided advantages. Concentrating solar power systems can include: a solar receiving structure configured to receive a focused input of solar radiation, a fluidized bed heat transfer medium within the solar receiving structure, and an energy-generating structure in thermal communication with the fluidized bed heat transfer medium. The fluidized bed heat transfer medium contains a plurality of fluidizable heat transfer particles, and the fluidizable heat transfer particles include a plurality of carbon nanotubes bonded to a plurality of fluidizable particles.

Withdrawing thermal energy obtained from a focused input of solar radiation can be complicated by issues associated with heat transfer media presently used for this purpose. By disposing carbon nanotubes on a fluidizable support and utilizing the carbon nanotubes as a fluidizable heat transfer medium, improved heat transfer characteristics can be realized due to the near-blackbody thermal absorption properties of the carbon nanotubes, in addition to other provided advantages. Concentrating solar power systems can include: a solar receiving structure configured to receive a focused input of solar radiation, a fluidized bed heat transfer medium within the solar receiving structure, and an energy-generating structure in thermal communication with the fluidized bed heat transfer medium. The fluidized bed heat transfer medium contains a plurality of fluidizable heat transfer particles, and the fluidizable heat transfer particles include a plurality of carbon nanotubes bonded to a plurality of fluidizable particles.

A method for heating at least one semi-finished metal products to be further laminated, via a heat exchanging device comprising a chamber containing solid particles, supporting means able to support semi-finished metal product and a gas injector, having the successive steps of: i. injecting a gas into said chamber so as to form a fluidized bed, ii. inserting at least one hot semi-finished metal product such that said at least one hot semi-finished metal product is able to transfer heat to said fluidized bed, iii. inserting said at least one semi-finished metal product to be further laminated such that said fluidized bed is able to transfer heat to said at least one semi-finished metal product to be further laminated, iv. taking out said at least one semi-finished metal product to be further laminated of said fluidized bed when the temperature of said at least one semi-finished metal product to be further laminated is less than 100 C. below the temperature of said fluidized bed.

A circulating fluidized bed (CFB) furnace for heating and/or calcination of a material is disclosed. A process for calcination of a material is further.

A circulating fluidized bed (CFB) furnace for heating and/or calcination of a material is disclosed. A process for calcination of a material is further.