Abstract: An energy storage system converts variable renewable electricity (VRE) to continuous heat at over 1000° C. Intermittent electrical energy heats a solid medium. Heat from the solid medium is delivered continuously on demand. An array of bricks incorporating internal radiation cavities is directly heated by thermal radiation. The cavities facilitate rapid, uniform heating via reradiation. Heat delivery via flowing gas establishes a thermocline which maintains high outlet temperature throughout discharge. Gas flows through structured pathways within the array, delivering heat which may be used for processes including calcination, hydrogen electrolysis, steam generation, and thermal power generation and cogeneration. Groups of thermal storage arrays may be controlled and operated at high temperatures without thermal runaway via deep-discharge sequencing. Forecast-based control enables continuous, year-round heat supply using current and advance information of weather and VRE availability.

Abstract: An energy storage system converts variable renewable electricity (VRE) to continuous heat at over 1000° C. Intermittent electrical energy heats a solid medium. Heat from the solid medium is delivered continuously on demand. An array of bricks incorporating internal radiation cavities is directly heated by thermal radiation. The cavities facilitate rapid, uniform heating via reradiation. Heat delivery via flowing gas establishes a thermocline which maintains high outlet temperature throughout discharge. Gas flows through structured pathways within the array, delivering heat which may be used for processes including calcination, hydrogen electrolysis, steam generation, and thermal power generation and cogeneration. Groups of thermal storage arrays may be controlled and operated at high temperatures without thermal runaway via deep-discharge sequencing. Forecast-based control enables continuous, year-round heat supply using current and advance information of weather and VRE availability.

Abstract: A solar heat collector includes a container, a transparent cover plate located on the container, a thermal insulation material located inside of the container to form an insulation space, and a heat absorption plate located in the insulation space. The heat absorption plate includes a base and a coating located on the base, and the coating includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes entangled with each other to form a network structure and a plurality of carbon particles in the network structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a thermosyphonic water heating system for a storage tank. A DC heat pump receives power from a DC power source and heats water via a heat exchanger using a thermosyphonic piping system. A passive back-flushing having a cold water inlet pipe connected to the hot water return pipe draws cold water into the storage tank through the heat exchanger. A vertical array of temperature sensors distributed throughout the storage tank monitor temperature of stored water at multiple heights and a communication unit communicates monitored data to an external control device.

Abstract: A building-integrated solar energy system that concurrently provides space heating, space cooling, hot water, and electricity to commercial and residential buildings. The solar energy system comprises an evacuated closed-loop conduit network circulating a working fluid through a solar thermal collector and at least one heat usage device, wherein the effective entirety of the surfaces of the closed-loop conduit network are in contact with the working fluid such that phase change occurs whenever heat energy is added by the solar thermal collector or removed by a heat usage device. The solar energy system further comprises an impermeable outer housing enveloping the closed-loop conduit network and forming an evacuated space located between and defined by the outer surface of the closed-loop conduit network and the inner surface of the impermeable housing such that the working fluid is adiabatically isolated.

Abstract: A joint heating system of gas combined cycle and solar power and a dispatching method thereof, the user adopts two ways of the hot water radiator and the heat pump to supply heat, wherein the hot water comes from the gas combined cycle units, the electric power comes from the combination of the gas combined cycle units and the solar power generation units, and after detecting the power supplying and power consumption of the user in a historical time period by the comprehensive dispatching and controlling device, a future time period is predicted, and then dispatching is processed on the basis.

Abstract: An installation for draining thermal oil in a thermosolar plant, and includes an oil tank (7), a pump assembly (6), a depressor or suction assembly (8), lines for communication with valves (11, 21), and a valve assembly for opening/closing the passage between the separate elements, with the lines for communication with the valves (11, 21) including pairs of pipes of the closed loop or branches (3, 4) that do not have valves on the free end thereof, with the installation operated by sweeping the separate circuits that form the installation by driving or suction according to the corresponding operation phase.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying clothes, including a housing having a housing inlet and a housing outlet; a drying chamber mounted for rotation in the housing, having a chamber inlet and a chamber outlet and having a gas pressure; an air flow path through the housing and the drying chamber and having an air flow inlet and an air flow outlet; heating means for heating air flowing through the path and being juxtaposed between the housing inlet and the chamber inlet; fan means having an on condition and, when in the on condition, for moving air through the air flow path and being juxtaposed between the chamber outlet and the housing outlet; and flow impeding means juxtaposed between the chamber inlet and the housing inlet and being for impeding air flow in the air flow path, the flow impeding means configured to impede the air flow in the path whereby, when the fan means is in the on condition, the gas pressure in the chamber is at least 3 inches less than the apparatus for drying clothes without said flow impeding mean

Abstract: A heating system for heating a fluid pipe in an industrial process system includes at least one gas tank fluidically connected to a first catalyst via a gas supply pipe. A first pipe heating zone is fluidically connected to the first catalyst via a first hot gas pipe. The first pipe heating zone has at least one passage extending along a first portion of the fluid pipe, in thermal contact with the fluid pipe.

Abstract: In the heat utilization installation (1) according to the invention several heat sources (2) are included which are provided each with a jet pump (16), (17), (18), (19). The heat sources (2) are connected to a heat carrier circuit system (7) which includes a single, central circulating pump or circulating pump unit (20). The individual jet pumps (16) to (19) are so controlled for the respective heat sources (2), the required operating temperatures with respect to temperature difference between the outlet and inlet and the flow volume are maintained or achieved. With the possibility of independent control of the flow volumes at the various heat sources (2), uniform fluid temperatures as required for a buffer store (22) or heat consumers can be maintained.

Abstract: Solar heating systems are provided which utilize an integrated fixture for transferring heat from a solar collector to a lower-temperature loop, e.g. a domestic hot water system or radiant heating system. The fixture provides a heat exchanger for transferring heat from the solar collector to the lower temperature loop. The fixture may also include a casting, in which are formed solar collector supply and return ports, lower temperature supply and return ports, a solar collector pump volute, and a lower temperature pump volute. The systems also include two pumps, and a temperature optimization control that varies the speed of at least one of the pumps depending on the temperature of the liquid in the solar collector.

Abstract: A solar power system includes a solar energy collector that has at least one solar receiver that is operable to carry a working fluid and at least one solar reflector that is operable to direct solar energy towards the at least one solar receiver to heat the working fluid. The working fluid has a maximum predefined operational temperature up to which it can be heated. A first storage unit is connected to receive the working fluid from the at least one solar receiver, and a second storage unit is connected to provide the working fluid to the at least one solar receiver. A power block generates electricity using heat from the heated working fluid. A heater is operable to heat the working fluid to approximately the maximum predefined operational temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solar water heating system including: a solar collector to which solar heat is collected; a solar collector circulation pipe adapted to circulate an operating medium on which the solar heat collected by the solar collector is accumulated therealong; a thermal storage tank in which the operating medium and the water used for living are heat-exchanged; a hot water circulation pipe communicating with the thermal storage tank; a freezing prevention valve located on one side of the hot water circulation pipe and adapted to be open and closed to allow the water in the thermal storage tank to selectively flow along the hot water circulation pipe; and a controller adapted to control the operation of the freezing prevention valve, thereby preventing the hot water circulation pipe from being frozen and destructed.

Abstract: A solar water heater including a heat separator containing either a single partition wall that connects in parallel colder water entering all-glass evacuated tubes with hotter water exiting the same all-glass evacuated tubes, or a number of partition walls that connect in series colder water entering each all-glass evacuated tube with hotter water exiting each all-glass evacuated tube. As water in the evacuated tubes is heated by solar radiation, a hydrodynamic head is created which forces the hot water in the evacuated tubes to flow automatically into the hot water compartment(s) of the heat separator(s) and subsequently through an insulated pipe to a water tank without requiring a pump. The cool water in the water tank flows automatically through an insulated pipe back into the cool water compartment(s) of the heat separator(s) in order to preserve flow continuity.

Abstract: A light receiving plate floating on the surface of tin, i.e., a low-melting-point heating medium and receiving solar beams is made of solid carbon material entirely coated with a silicon carbide film. Due to the silicon carbide film, the surface of the light receiving plate is black to realize a high absorption ratio of the solar beams. In addition, the light receiving plate is made of the silicon carbide film at least at the surface thereof, to demonstrate excellent heat resistance.

Abstract: A solar energy collection system includes a primary solar receiver and a secondary solar receiver. The secondary solar receiver generates steam using energy from solar radiation incident thereon. The primary solar receiver receives the generated steam from the secondary solar receiver and superheats the steam using energy from solar radiation incident thereon. A plurality of heliostat-mounted mirrors reflects incident solar radiation onto one of the primary and secondary solar receivers. A controller aims a portion of the heliostat-mounted mirrors at the primary solar receiver such that a predetermined thermal profile is provided on a surface of the primary solar receiver.

Abstract: A solar power generation system includes a fluid housing, a solar collector, and a heating system. The fluid housing contains a heat transfer medium. The solar collector concentrates solar energy onto the heat transfer medium. The heating system includes at least one gas tank containing a gas and fluidically connected to a first catalyst. The first catalyst is configured to catalyze gas from the gas tank to create hot gas. The heating system also includes a first hot gas pipe fluidically connected to the first catalyst and positioned with respect to the fluid housing such that hot gas flowing through the first hot gas pipe comes into thermal contact with the heat transfer medium within the fluid housing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a solar water heating apparatus comprising a central tank and one or more outer layers wherein at least part of the exterior of the outermost layer is adapted to be exposed to the sun. The outer layers also form water pathways such that, when the tank is substantially filled with water, said water is able to circulate around a path formed by said central tank and the outer layers. A pulsing pump may help circulate the water. An auxiliary heating element may be also provided, such as a small gas burner.

Abstract: The objective of this invention is to make solar water heating affordable and compatible with conventional gas or electric water heaters. Solar energy is clean and renewable. However, solar water heating has not been in wide use in the US mainly due to two reasons: first, the cost of a current solar water heater is generally too expensive for an average household; second, a typical solar water heater uses ethylene glycerol as a heat transfer fluid to prevent freezing and needs additional space for an extra exchange tank. Our design includes evacuated tube collector panels for efficient collection of solar energy, utilizes two unique three-way adaptors to connect solar collector panels to a conventional water heater for storing solar hot water, and is operational even in freezing temperature. These improvements eliminate the need for an extra exchange tank and significantly reduce the cost of a solar water heater.

Abstract: A system for heating a liquid, such as water, the system including a collector and a storage tank, wherein the collector and the storage tank are fluidly coupled together via a manifold. The collector includes a plurality of heat pipes which extend into the manifold. Solar energy is absorbed by the heat pipes and passed to liquid in the manifold, which in turn, is passed to the storage tank.

Abstract: There is provided a water heating and storage system, including a heat-insulated main heated water storage tank for storing hot water. The storage tank consists of top, side and bottom walls, has an inlet for heated water entering the tank at a level below the normal level, and a cold water inlet. The system also includes a consumer hot water outlet, and an external water heater having a controlled electrical heating unit, an outlet port for heated water, connectable to the inlet of the tank, and a water inlet port.

Abstract: Solar heating systems are provided which utilize an integrated fixture for transferring heat from a solar collector to a lower-temperature loop, e.g. a domestic hot water system or radiant heating system. The fixture provides a heat exchanger for transferring heat from the solar collector to the lower temperature loop. The fixture may also include a casting, in which are formed solar collector supply and return ports, lower temperature supply and return ports, a solar collector pump volute, and a lower temperature pump volute. The systems also include two pumps, and a temperature optimization control that varies the speed of at least one of the pumps depending on the temperature of the liquid in the solar collector.

Abstract: A standby heat supply system is provided for a solar receiver steam generator to maintain the system at a relatively constant temperature during the nocturnal period when solar radiation is unavailable. An exemplary solar steam generator having a standby heat supply system includes a steam loop having at least one solar panel, a steam drum and circulating pump, whereby solar energy heats the water to generate steam which is provided to the steam drum. The standby heat supply system includes an external standby heater wherein the water from the steam drum is provided to the external standby heater. A heat isolation valve is actuated during the nocturnal period to allow the water to circulate through the standby heater. Another exemplary embodiment of a solar steam generator includes an internal standby heat supply system having heater elements immersed in the steam drum for direct heating of the water during nocturnal periods.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for brewing coffee, which includes a housing having an inner chamber for receiving and retaining brewed coffee, a water reservoir adjacent to and generally surrounding the inner chamber, for receiving water, and an electrically powered coil for heating the water contained in the water reservoir. A brew valve is positioned above the inner chamber for supporting coffee grounds, the brew valve being rotatable between a first inactive position and a second active position for brewing coffee. Heated water is directed from the water reservoir to the brew valve and to the coffee grounds to brew coffee. and to the coffee grounds to produce brewed coffee, and into the inner chamber.

Abstract: A heat exchanger which is adapted to an existing water tank to allow it to be heated or cooled using a hot or cold toxic or non-toxic liquid. Solar collectors and heat pumps can provide hot or cold liquids. To transfer this heat cheaply and economically to an existing hot or cold, water tank requires a simple efficient heat exchange, which can be easily adapted to the existing tank. The invention recited fills this need by simply screwing into the existing hot or cold, water tank and allow heat or cold to be added or extracted via a simple fluid loop, which is single wall isolated for non-toxic heat exchange fluids and double wall isolated for toxic heat exchange fluids.

Abstract: A hot fluid dispenser comprises a first reservoir (1) for the fluid (usually water); at least one heating source (7, 8) operatively associated with the first reservoir 91); and at least a second reservoir (9) defining an interface with the first reservoir (1) and containing a melting material having a high latent heat of fusion. A plurality of heat pipes (10) is provided through said interface, in order to accelerate and homogenize the heat transfer between the two reservoirs.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating a domestic water supply including a glass-lined storage tank to contain the domestic water supply. A combustible fuel burner is positioned to heat the domestic water supply within the glass-lined storage tank. A solar heating tube is connected to supply solar heated fluid to a heat transfer coil mounted within the glass-lined storage tank. The heat transfer coil has a double-wall including a non-metallic outer wall in contact with a metallic inner wall, both walls being sealed to prevent mixing of the domestic water supply with the solar heated fluid. A sensor is positioned to sense the temperature of the solar heated fluid as it is delivered to the heat transfer coil.