Solar thermal devices are formed from a block of wood, where the natural cell lumens of the wood form an interconnected network that transports fluid or material therein. The block of wood can be modified to increase absorption of solar radiation. Combining the solar absorption effects with the natural transport network can be used for various applications. In some embodiments, heating of the modified block of wood by insolation can be used to evaporate a fluid, for example, evaporating water for extraction, distillation, or desalination. In other embodiments, heating of the modified block of wood by insolation can be used to change transport properties of a material to allow it to be transported in the interconnected network, for example, heating crude oil to adsorb the oil within the block of wood.

A chemical delivery system connects to a chemical tank and includes a union connected to the tank outlet and providing an antirotation feature, in addition to threads, to prevent rotation of the assembly in response to asymmetric loads. A measuring tube alternately receives liquid from the tank and is isolated from the tank. While isolated from the tank, liquid is withdrawn from the tube by a pump under conditions allowing the pump to be calibrated. The assembly is cantilevered from the tank outlet and is of reduced length and weight producing a device which is not prone to overstress the tank outlet.

A system for supplementing the electric power needed by a pump jack electric motor, thereby reducing the electric power purchased from the local utility or power supplier. The system comprises a solar photovoltaic system, or other forms of renewable energy, and regenerated power from the electric motor or drive. The system can be both “on-grid” and “off-grid.” Battery banks and capacitor banks may be used to store and provide energy.

A solar powered pump that maximizes available energy usage under variable insolation conditions is disclosed. It also permits the integration of parameters such as minimum flow control, set point operation, etc., without the use of additional sensors, thereby reducing the overall cost of the system.

A solar pumping system and a method for operating solar pumping system, the system comprises plurality of solar modules, at least one VFD comprising at least one convertor, at least one switching device connected to the solar module and the VFD and at least one AC motor connected to the output supply of the VFD. The switching device controls the supply of DC power transmitted to the VFD based on the input received from a controller of the VFD by varying the output voltage in accordance with the load requirement of the AC motor. The method comprising the steps of controlling the supply of voltage output of solar modules through the switching device as to provide adequate power to the solar pump based on the requirement of the motor in order to avoid tripping by increasing or decreasing the voltage output of the solar modules to a predetermined fraction of voltage for a predetermined fraction of time.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system for pumping fluid is provided. According to this embodiment, a fluid pumping system comprises a fluid inlet pipe and a fluid outlet pipe. A plurality of pump units are disposed between the inlet and outlet pipes such that the pump units each pump fluid out of the inlet pipe and into the outlet pipe. The pump units each include at least one DC motor. A solar panel may be used to power the pump units.

A hybrid solar load controller. The controller determines values to carry out what is referred to herein as “best effort” pumping during sun hours, understand its progress, and then “finish the job” with AC power after sun hours have concluded, while taking fullest advantage of pump affinity when on paid-power pump. In embodiments, the pump can be a water pump for a pool, and a goal can be set as a total volumetric goal. The goal can also be a fill level for a container.

A hybrid solar load controller. The controller determines values to carry out what is referred to herein as “best effort” pumping during sun hours, understand its progress, and then “finish the job” with AC power after sun hours have concluded, while taking fullest advantage of pump affinity when on paid-power pump. In embodiments, the pump can be a water pump for a pool, and a goal can be set as a total volumetric goal. The goal can also be a fill level for a container.

A system for supplementing the electric power needed by a pump jack electric motor, thereby reducing the electric power purchased from the local utility or power supplier. The system comprises a solar photovoltaic system, or other forms of renewable energy, and regenerated power from the electric motor or drive. The system can be both “on-grid” and “off-grid.” Battery banks and capacitor banks may be used to store energy.

A thermal-cycle powered water pump includes a conduit having a first end thereof in a water source. A rigid tank, in fluid communication with the second end of the conduit, is in an environment that experiences a daily thermal cycle. During the daily thermal cycle, heat energy transferred from the environment to the interior increases pressure in the interior, while heat energy transferred from the interior to the environment decreases the pressure in the interior. A first check valve opens a flow path from the conduit's first end to its second end only when the pressure in the tank's interior is less than a water pressure of the source of the water. A second check valve in fluid communication with the tank's outlet opens a flow path from the tank's interior to the environment only when the pressure in the interior is greater than an ambient pressure of the environment.