Radiant energy collection and conversion apparatus and method
- Oakland, CA
The apparatus for collecting radiant energy and converting same to alternate energy form includes a housing having an interior space and a radiation transparent window allowing, for example, solar radiation to be received in the interior space of the housing. Means are provided for passing a stream of fluid past said window and for injecting radiation absorbent particles in said fluid stream. The particles absorb the radiation and because of their very large surface area, quickly release the heat to the surrounding fluid stream. The fluid stream particle mixture is heated until the particles vaporize. The fluid stream is then allowed to expand in, for example, a gas turbine to produce mechanical energy. In an aspect of the present invention properly sized particles need not be vaporized prior to the entrance of the fluid stream into the turbine, as the particles will not damage the turbine blades. In yet another aspect of the invention, conventional fuel injectors are provided to inject fuel into the fluid stream to maintain the proper temperature and pressure of the fluid stream should the source of radiant energy be interrupted. In yet another aspect of the invention, an apparatus is provided which includes means for providing a hot fluid stream having hot particles disbursed therein which can radiate energy, means for providing a cooler fluid stream having cooler particles disbursed therein, which particles can absorb radiant energy and means for passing the hot fluid stream adjacent the cooler fluid stream to warm the cooler fluid and cooler particles by the radiation from the hot fluid and hot particles.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- Assignee:
- United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4313304
- OSTI ID:
- 864117
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
energy
collection
conversion
apparatus
method
collecting
converting
alternate
form
housing
interior
space
radiation
transparent
window
allowing
example
solar
received
means
provided
passing
stream
fluid
past
injecting
absorbent
particles
absorb
surface
quickly
release
heat
surrounding
particle
mixture
heated
vaporize
allowed
expand
gas
turbine
produce
mechanical
aspect
properly
sized
vaporized
prior
entrance
damage
blades
conventional
fuel
injectors
inject
maintain
proper
temperature
pressure
source
interrupted
providing
hot
disbursed
therein
radiate
cooler
adjacent
warm
transparent window
interior space
sorbent particles
fuel injector
sized particles
turbine blade
fluid stream
radiant energy
gas turbine
solar radiation
turbine blades
particle mixture
hot fluid
mechanical energy
proper temperature
properly sized
produce mechanical
particles absorb
energy collection
fuel injectors
conventional fuel
surrounding fluid
radiation transparent
collecting radiant
energy form
conversion apparatus
window allowing
fluid past
alternate energy
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