Solar energy collection still
Apparatus and methods for concentrating and collecting solar energy are disclosed. In accordance with the invention, solar energy is concentrated by economical refringent lenses or lens systems including fluid lenses and/or fresnel-type lenses. The lenses concentrate the solar energy preferably along lines in continuous linear foci or in discrete foci at an elongated collector comprising one or more fluid-carrying conduits and one or more fluids therein. In one embodiment, a plurality of photoelectric cells are located in or on the collector along the linear foci or at the discrete foci and operate at increased efficiency with heat being removed by the collector. A first fluid in the collector is heated by the concentrated solar energy and in a preferred embodiment is used to heat a second fluid contiguous to the first fluid, the first fluid having a boiling point exceeding that of the second fluid. In a preferred embodiment, the first fluid is carried in an inner conduit while the second fluid is carried by an outer conduit which encloses the inner conduit and first fluid. Thus, the two fluids can be heated to different temperatures by a single concentrating system and used for different purposes. Additionally, the invention provides for the storage of energy using two fluids of different boiling points. Also disclosed are methods and fixed and portable apparatus for distilling water containing salt or other substances by evaporation of the water and condensation of the water vapor wherein preferably the heat of condensation is recovered. The invention also provides for assemblies of individual systems to form larger systems. The present invention provides heat from solar energy at a cost competitive with heat produced from fuels.
- Assignee:
- North American Utility Construction Corp.
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4312709
- OSTI ID:
- 5517233
- Resource Relation:
- Patent Priority Date: Priority date 9 Jul 1976, France; Other Information: PAT-APPL-866067
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
SOLAR STILLS
DESIGN
SOLAR COLLECTORS
ABSORPTION HEAT
ENERGY CONVERSION
FLUID FLOW
HEAT RECOVERY
HEAT TRANSFER FLUIDS
LENSES
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR CONCENTRATORS
SOLAR WATER HEATERS
THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE EQUIPMENT
TUBES
VAPOR CONDENSATION
WASTE HEAT UTILIZATION
APPLIANCES
CONVERSION
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ENERGY
ENERGY RECOVERY
ENTHALPY
EQUIPMENT
EVAPORATORS
FLUIDS
HEAT
HEATERS
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RECOVERY
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
WASTE PRODUCT UTILIZATION
WATER HEATERS
140909* - Solar Thermal Utilization- Miscellaneous Solar Applications- (1980-)
141000 - Solar Collectors & Concentrators
140501 - Solar Energy Conversion- Photovoltaic Conversion