Abstract: A solar receiver, designed to use a heat transfer medium, includes a plurality of panels. Each panel is arranged and configured to enable the heat transfer medium to flow in at least one flow direction, one flow direction defining a pass, to obtain unique mass flux in each pass to optimize the heat flux capability of the pass while minimizing pressure drop across the selected passes of the heat transfer surface. A method thereof is also provided.

Abstract: A solar thermal power plant comprises a solar radiation receiver mounted on a tower surrounded by a heliostat field to receive solar radiation reflected by heliostats. A power generation circuit includes a steam turbine for driving an electrical generator to produce electrical power, and water in the power generation circuit is heated directly by solar radiation reflected onto the solar radiation receiver by the heliostat field to generate steam to drive the steam turbine. An energy storage circuit includes a thermal energy storage fluid, such as molten salt, which is capable of being heated directly by solar radiation reflected by the heliostat field. A heat exchanger is also provided for recovering thermal energy from the thermal energy storage fluid. The recovered thermal energy may then be used to generate steam to drive the steam turbine.

Abstract: A solar receiver, designed to use a heat transfer medium, includes a plurality of panels. Each panel is arranged and configured to enable the heat transfer medium to flow in at least one flow direction, one flow direction defining a pass, to obtain unique mass flux in each pass to optimize the heat flux capability of the pass while minimizing pressure drop across the selected passes of the heat transfer surface. A method thereof is also provided.

Abstract: A solar thermal power plant includes a solar radiation receiver mounted on a tower surrounded by a heliostat field to receive solar radiation reflected by heliostats forming the heliostat field. The power plant includes a power generation circuit including a steam turbine for driving an electrical generator to produce electrical power, and water in the power generation circuit is capable of being heated directly by solar radiation reflected onto the solar radiation receiver by the heliostat field to generate steam to drive the steam turbine. The power plant also includes an energy storage circuit including a thermal energy storage fluid, such as molten salt, which is capable of being heated directly by solar radiation reflected by the heliostat field. A heat exchanger is also provided for recovering thermal energy from the thermal energy storage fluid in the energy storage circuit; the recovered thermal energy may then be used to generate steam to drive the steam turbine.