A solar chemically recuperated gas turbine system includes an exhaust-gas reformer, a solar reformer and a gas turbine unit with a combustion chamber. The reaction outlet of the exhaust-gas reformer is connected to the inlet of the solar reformer, the flue gas side inlet of the exhaust-gas reformer is connected to the exhaust-gas outlet of the gas turbine. The solar reformer outlet is connected to the combustion chamber inlet. Combustion gas drives the gas turbine after fuel burns in the combustion chamber, and the exhaust gas enters the exhaust-gas reformer. Fuel and steam are mixed and enter the reaction side of the exhaust-gas reformer through a fuel inlet. A reforming reaction between the fuel and steam under heating of the exhaust gas generates syngas. A further reforming reaction occurs by absorbing concentrated solar energy after the syngas enters the solar reformer, and the reactant is provided to combustion chamber.

Disclosed is a solar power station, comprising a first light-receiving device having a substantially planar first working surface, a second light-receiving device having a second working surface substantially perpendicular to the first working surface, and a first drive mechanism. The first and second working surfaces are configured so that sunlight (SS) strikes the first working surface after passing through the second working surface or passes through the first working surface and then strikes the second working surface. The second light-receiving device is fixed on the first drive mechanism. The first drive mechanism is used to drive the second working surface to move or rotate relative to the first working surface according to the movement of the sun.

The power plant system includes a molten salt reactor assembly, a thermocline unit, phase change heat exchangers, and process heat systems. The thermocline unit includes an insulated tank, an initial inlet, a plurality of zone outlets, and a plurality of gradient zones corresponding to each zone outlet and being stacked in the tank. Each gradient zone has a molten salt portion at a portion temperature corresponding to the molten salt supply from the molten salt reactor being stored in the tank and stratified. The molten salt portions at higher portion temperatures generate thermal energy for process heat systems that require higher temperatures, and molten salt portions at lower portion temperatures generate thermal energy for process heat systems that require lower temperatures. The system continuously pumps the molten salt supply in controlled rates to deliver the heat exchange fluid supply to perform work in the corresponding particular process heat system.

Heat storage devices for solar steam generation, including recirculation and desalination, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative method includes directing a high temperature working fluid (a) from a thermal storage device to a solar field to heat the high temperature working fluid, and (b) back to the thermal storage device. The method can further include directing a first portion of the high temperature working fluid from the thermal storage device through a first branch of a high temperature working fluid loop to transfer heat to a process fluid at a first temperature. A second portion of the high temperature working fluid is directed from the thermal storage device through a second branch of the high temperature working fluid loop, in parallel with the first branch, to transfer heat to the process fluid at a second temperature less than the first temperature.

A boiler plant includes a boiler which is configured to heat water by a heating fluid to generate steam, a steam utilization device which is configured to use the steam from the boiler, and a heating device which is configured to heat steam using at least energy excluding thermal energy of the heating fluid. The boiler has one or more evaporators which heat water or steam. A first evaporator having a highest internal pressure from among one or more evaporators is configured to heat water or steam having a temperature lower than a constant pressure specific heat maximum temperature, at which constant pressure specific heat in a pressure in the first evaporator is maximum, to be equal to or higher than the constant pressure specific heat maximum temperature. The heating device is configured to heat the steam having a temperature lower than the constant pressure specific heat maximum temperature to be equal to or higher than the constant pressure specific heat maximum temperature.

Implementations of a system for collecting radiant energy with a non-imaging solar concentrator are provided. In some implementations, the system may be configured to focus radiant energy striking a plurality of concentric, conical ring-like reflective elements of the non-imaging concentrator onto a receiver positioned thereunder and to rotate and/or pivot the receiver so that at least a portion thereof is always kept within the focal point (or area) of the non-imaging concentrator. Wherein the center of the focal point (or area) is fixed with respect to the ground. In some implementations, the system for collecting radiant energy with a non-imaging solar concentrator may comprise a tracking apparatus configured to support the non-imaging concentrator and position it so that the sun is normal thereto, and a piping system that is configured to transfer concentrated solar energy from the receiver to an absorbing system where the energy is finally utilized.

Solar power collection systems characterized by using a collimated or otherwise concentrated beam of solar radiation to directly heat a porcelain or other high-heat capacity ceramic heating element by contact with an absorption surface on the element, which element in turn heats a thermal storage medium by conduction, methods of using the systems for collecting solar energy, and applications of the systems are disclosed.

An antenna including a remote electrical tilt drive for driving a movable phase shifter linkage is provided. The remote electrical tilt drive comprises a shape memory alloy arrangement attached to a non-moving part of the antenna and to the movable phase shifter linkage, wherein the shape memory alloy arrangement is configured to move the movable phase shifter linkage in a predetermined direction upon an electrical current being supplied to the shape memory alloy arrangement, and a counter motion member attached to the non-moving part of the antenna and to the movable phase shifter linkage and configured to move the movable phase shifter linkage in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction.

Thermal energy is derived from sunlight. The system has a heating surface arranged to support microparticles to be heated, and a group of optical-fibers arranged to transport sunlight to irradiate microparticles on the heating surface. The optical-fibers are moved relative to the heating surface to enable the microparticles to be heated by the transported light as the optical-fiber scans the microparticles. Apparatus for storing the heated particles and for using the thermal energy is also discussed.

Solar power collection systems characterized by using a collimated or otherwise concentrated beam (201) of solar radiation to directly heat a porcelain or other high-heat capacity ceramic heating element (202) by contact with an absorption surface on the element, which element in turn heats a thermal storage medium (205) by conduction, methods of using the systems for collecting solar energy, and applications of the systems are disclosed.