Automatic motion system by dilatation of a fluid, said system acting on elements of a compact solar collector with integrated storage tank, said solar collector having least a face exposed to the solar radiation and at least another face not facing the solar radiation, said solar collector comprising a plurality of primary tubes (1), for containing at least one primary heat carrier element adapted to the storage of thermal energy, and an external sensor element arranged movable with respect to each primary conduit (1), adapted to overlap, at least partially, during its motion, in each primary conduit (1).

A solar collector device is provided. The solar collector device includes an evacuated tube and a mini-channel tube mounted within the evacuated tube, the mini-channel tube comprising a first plurality of ports for inflow of a heat-transfer fluid and a second plurality of ports for outflow of the heat-transfer fluid to a heat exchange system. The mini-channel tube may have a hydraulic diameter in a range of approximately 3 millimeters to approximately 200 micrometers. The mini-channel tube may have a hydraulic diameter in a range of approximately 200 micrometers to approximately 10 micrometers.

The disclosed invention relates to solar-thermal receiver tubes for heating high-temperature fluids such as molten salts and oils, such as those used in conjunction with trough reflectors or concentric concentrators. The disclosed invention utilizes fused silica receiver tube assemblies that provide optical absorption by way of optically-absorbing media that is imbedded within the thermal transfer fluid, preferably comprising inorganic dyes that comprise pulverized thin film coatings or dissolved materials that are specifically designed for maximizing optical absorption. Alternatively, the chemistry of the transfer fluid can be modified to increase optical absorption, or the optically absorbing media may comprise fine powders with density preferably similar to the thermal transfer fluid, such as fine graphite powder; or, in another preferred embodiment, absorbing means within the heat transfer fluid comprise a solid absorbing element disposed along the central axis of the receiver tube's interior.

A process for increasing the service life of a solar receiver by reducing the concentration of dissolved hydrogen present in a hydrogen atom containing liquid (HACL) stream including (a) contacting a HACL stream containing a first concentration of dissolved hydrogen with an inert gas stream under predetermined process conditions such that at least a portion of hydrogen in the HACL stream is transferred to the inert gas stream and a second reduced concentration of dissolved hydrogen remains in the HACL stream; and (b) passing the HACL stream having the second reduced concentration of dissolved hydrogen through the solar receiver.

The invention relates to a device for the concentration of solar radiation in an absorber, comprising an inflatable concentrator cushion, which comprises a cover film element comprising a light-permeable entry window for coupling in solar radiation and a reflector film, which sub-divides the concentrator cushion into at least two hollow spaces, for the concentration of solar radiation in an absorber, comprising a pivoting apparatus, by means of which the concentrator cushion can be pivoted, in particular about its longitudinal axis, and comprising a retaining apparatus secured to the pivoting apparatus, for retaining the concentrator cushion, which retaining apparatus comprises an upper longitudinal member extending in the longitudinal direction of the concentrator cushion, for suspending the absorber, wherein the upper longitudinal member is arranged on a substantially air-tight closed upper passage opening of the concentrator cushion.

A gravity driven Thermosiphon solar water heating system to harness solar insolation in low sunshine regions. This innovatory system uses CO.sub.2 as the working fluid to collect even mild sunlight to heat the water in sub-zero temperature areas. This solar water heater harnesses solar energy by fitting U-shaped copper heat removal pipes in evacuated glass tubes. This system works automatically by natural thermosiphon circulation force caused by density difference of supercritical CO.sub.2 at different temperatures. This innovatory solar water heater can perform in ice cold temperature areas where water based systems cease to function after freezing.

A wall module used to retrofit any existing building into solar building or construct new solar building is made of a hybrid photovoltaic and solar thermal plate, a heat pipe, a solid thermal energy storage, a glass cover, and a heat-pump system. When the incident sunlight penetrating through the transparent glass cover reaches to the cogeneration plate, portion of it is converted into electricity and the rest becomes into heat; then the heat is transferred back to the solid thermal storage; when it is needed for heating and cooling, the stored heat is retrieved and transported to its destination with heat pump system; during the transportation process, the temperature of the stored heat is boosted up. Any buildings, no matter existing building or new building, can be converted into a large scale solar power generation and storage station using the wall modules of present invention without changing their structures and functions. As the buildings share the insulation with the wall modules, the addition of the wall modules will significantly improve the encapsulation of the buildings. The wall modules change the whole body of building into large scale storage without occupying the interior space of the building.

A heat receiver tube for absorbing solar energy and for transferring absorbed solar energy to a heat transfer fluid which can be located inside of at least one core tube of the heat receiver tube is provided. The core tube includes a core tube surface with at least one solar energy absorptive coating for absorbing solar radiation. The core tube is enveloped by at least one enveloping tube. The enveloping tube includes at least one enveloping tube wall which is at least partly transparent for the solar radiation. The enveloping tube wall includes at least one inner enveloping tube surface. The core tube and the enveloping tube are coaxially arranged to each other such that an inner heat receiver tube space is formed which is bordered by the core tube surface (and the inner enveloping tube surface.

The present invention relates to a semiconductor chilling multilayer combined buffer solar powered photovoltaic distiller, comprises a machine frame, a first water tank for storing water to be distilled, a water pump, a heat collector, a steam pump, a condensation pipe, a second water tank for storing desalinated water, a PLC controller and a solar panel. The heat collector comprises an outer glass case and an inner glass case. The first water tank is connected to one end of the chamber of the inner glass case. The other end of the inner glass case is connected to the buffer tank. The steam pump is connected to the buffer tank. The steam pump, the condensation pipe fixedly mounted on the support plate and the water tank fixedly mounted on the base plate are connected in series. A semiconductor chilling plate and an electric heater are alternately disposed between the condensation pipe and the support plate. The structure is reasonable, having the advantages of simple, convenient to use, high energy utilization rate, does not rely on external power supply etc. can effectively solve the problem of traditional water resource treatment having big energy consumption, and the equipment and site being not movable.

A retaining device for absorber tubes that have a metal tube and a glass cladding tube is provided. The retaining device includes a tube clamp made of two tube clamp halves, which have a main part with a retaining feature. The tube clamp surrounds the metal tube in the mounted state, and the retaining feature rests against the exterior of the metal tube. A thermal radiation shield is arranged on the interior of the main part of the tube clamp in order to reduce the loss of heat at the ends of the metal tube of the absorber tube.