Disclosed are systems and methods for pump control of a closed thermodynamic cycle system, such as a Brayton cycle. Operational parameters such as working fluid temperature, thermal fluid temperature, stream pressure, and power generation may be the basis for controlling a thermal fluid pump rate.

A solar receiver (100), for capturing solar radiation, comprising a radiation capturing element (3) and a channel (8) around that element, through which channel (8) a pressurized working fluid is passed to absorb thermal energy from the radiation capturing element.

A solar receiver (100), for capturing solar radiation, comprising a radiation capturing element (3) and a channel (8) around that element, through which channel (8) a pressurized working fluid is passed to absorb thermal energy from the radiation capturing element.

Methods and apparatus for concentrating electromagnetic waves coming from a moving source at a focal point fixed to the ground. The invention discloses a tracking system for a device capable of concentrating incoming electromagnetic waves at a fixed focal point. This concentration of the electromagnetic waves may be done by reflection, as in the case of a reflecting dish, or by refraction as in the case of a concentrating lens, which is impeded in a hemisphere, which can be real or imaginary, such that its focal point coincides with the center of the hemisphere and using this apparatus to track such moving source by rotating around said hemisphere's fixed center, so as to face the incoming electromagnetic rays normally. A receiver can be kept at the focal point of the device which uses the concentrated rays for various applications such as melting metals or charging a solar cell.

Methods and apparatus for concentrating electromagnetic waves coming from a moving source at a focal point fixed to the ground. The invention discloses a tracking system for a device capable of concentrating incoming electromagnetic waves at a fixed focal point. This concentration of the electromagnetic waves may be done by reflection, as in the case of a reflecting dish, or by refraction as in the case of a concentrating lens, which is impeded in a hemisphere, which can be real or imaginary, such that its focal point coincides with the center of the hemisphere and using this apparatus to track such moving source by rotating around said hemisphere's fixed center, so as to face the incoming electromagnetic rays normally. A receiver can be kept at the focal point of the device which uses the concentrated rays for various applications such as melting metals or charging a solar cell.

The present invention relates to a solar power generating apparatus comprising: a body (100) having a three-dimensional shape so as to enable air flowing from the outside to be lifted, and having an acceleration flow path (142) formed on the top thereof so as to induce a bottleneck phenomenon of the air to be lifted; and a power generating fan (200) installed in the acceleration flow path (142). Accordingly, the air flowing into the body (100) is heated by sunlight and is lifted so as to operate the power generating fan (200) and enable power generation, such that eco-friendly energy can be produced.

Systems related to concentrated solar combination heating and power generation; solar heating; industrial heat driven power generation; thermal storage systems and heat exchanger and power generation systems therefore, including any of the above with optional supplemental fuel production, and associated methods, are generally described.

A power generation system using a combined solar-assisted fuel reformer and oxy-combustion membrane reactor is proposed. The system uses solar heating to activate the endothermic fuel steam reforming reaction. The produced gas is separated into streams of H.sub.2 and CO for separate oxy-combustion reactions. The O.sub.2 used in the oxy-combustion reactions is produced by permeating O.sub.2 through ion transport membranes in contact with solar-heated air.

A power generation system using a combined solar-assisted fuel reformer and oxy-combustion membrane reactor is proposed. The system uses solar heating to activate the endothermic fuel steam reforming reaction. The produced gas is separated into streams of H.sub.2 and CO for separate oxy-combustion reactions. The O.sub.2 used in the oxy-combustion reactions is produced by permeating O.sub.2 through ion transport membranes in contact with solar-heated air.

The present invention relates to a solar power generating apparatus comprising: a body (100) having a three-dimensional shape so as to enable air flowing from the outside to be lifted, and having an acceleration flow path (142) formed on the top thereof so as to induce a bottleneck phenomenon of the air to be lifted; and a power generating fan (200) installed in the acceleration flow path (142). Accordingly, the air flowing into the body (100) is heated by sunlight and is lifted so as to operate the power generating fan (200) and enable power generation, such that eco-friendly energy can be produced.