Abstract: Mixed heliostat field combining, in the same field, heliostats of different sizes and/or with different types of facets, all of them having at least one facet and being canted or not, and either having spherical, cylindrical, flat or quasi-flat (spherical with a high curvature radius) facets, such that the solar field is optimised in order to minimise shadows and blockages between heliostats, as a result of correct positioning of the heliostats in the field.

Abstract: Spectrophotometer for the characterization of receivers of solar collectors in order to determine optical properties (transmittance and reflectance). The equipment allows the evaluation of a receiver tube in real time and in any kind of light conditions, both inside and outside. The equipment also allows the detection of the eccentricity between the outer tube and the inner tube, which directly influences the reliability of the measurement. The equipment has a mechanical system for allowing a rotation of the equipment around the tube in order to find the optimum measurement position and attach itself to the tube.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a visual hydrogen sensor and to a sensor produced in this manner, the sensor allowing the presence of hydrogen gas in a medium to be detected by the naked eye as a result of a change of color in the sensor. The method involves the deposition of thin porous layers of oxides that do not absorb visible light in their completely oxidized state which become colored when they are partially reduced. This deposition is carried out using vapor phase deposition (PVD) in a glancing angle configuration (GLAD). The method also involves the preparation of a solution of an active metal precursor capable of dissociating the hydrogen molecule and a carrier vector and the deposition of this solution on the oxide layer in order to incorporate a minimum quantity of active metal within the pores of the oxide layer in the form of nanoparticles.

Abstract: Selective solar absorbent coating and manufacturing method, with solar absorption and low emissivity properties. The coating comprises a substrate (1) of metal, dielectric or ceramic material, at least one highly reflective metal layer (2) in mid-far infrared applied to the substrate itself which provides low emissivity properties, a mufti-layer structure of alternating dielectric and metallic layers (3) of subnanometric thickness applied to the reflective metal layer and at least one dielectric layer (4) that acts as an anti-reflective layer for the solar spectrum. The coating is applicable as a selective absorbent coating in absorbent tubes for parabolic-trough solar collectors, in solar panels for hot water, heating or domestic cooling, both in the form of absorbent tubes and absorbent sheets, in capture systems in tower solar thermoelectric power plants, and in capture systems in Stirling disk systems.

Abstract: The invention relates to a portable reflectometer and to a method for characterizing the collector mirrors used in solar power plants for the in-field characterization of reflection coefficients. The equipment includes all of the components required for this measurement, such as a module to measure the reflection coefficient of the mirror, an electronic data acquisition and processing system, a system for processing data and controlling the equipment, a system for storing the data of interest, a user interface system, and a system allowing communication between the aforementioned systems and an outer casing. The equipment can be used to characterize the specular reflection coefficient of flat or curved mirrors of different thicknesses, without requiring adjustments to be made to the equipment, minimizing the influence of diffuse reflection on the measurement.

Abstract: Systems and methods for forming solar cells with CuInSe2 and Cu(In,Ga)Se2 films are provided. In one embodiment, a method comprises: during a first stage (220), performing a mass transport through vapor transport of an indium chloride (InClx) vapor (143, 223) and Se vapor (121, 225) to deposit a semiconductor film (212, 232, 252) upon a substrate (114, 210, 230, 250); heating the substrate (114, 210, 230, 250) and the semiconductor film to a desired temperature (112); during a second stage (240) following the first stage (220), performing a mass transport through vapor transport of a copper chloride (CuClx) vapor (143, 243) and Se vapor (121, 245) to the semiconductor film (212, 232, 252); and during a third stage (260) following the second stage (240), performing a mass transport through vapor transport of an indium chloride (InClx) vapor (143, 263) and Se vapor (121, 265) to the semiconductor film (212, 232, 252).

Abstract: A vehicle and method for cleaning parabolic trough solar collectors (2) by means of a motorized vehicle (1) which includes a water tank (4); front (5) and rear (6) cleaning arms, with a telescopic part having several sections, coupled at one end to a pivoting head (8) which supports a rotary cleaning brush (9) and comprises spray nozzles (10), as well as proximity sensors (12) for the brushes (9). It comprises the same number of front and rear transverse guide rails (13) which include a linear movement means (14) coupled, by means of a pivot (15), to the cleaning arms (5, 6). The brushes (9) are movable in relation to the head (8) by means of a shaft (21) actuated by a retraction actuator (27) for overcoming obstacles (26).

Abstract: Selective solar absorbent coating and manufacturing method, with solar absorption and low emissivity properties. The coating comprises a substrate (1) of metal, dielectric or ceramic material, at least one highly reflective metal layer (2) in mid-far infrared applied to the substrate itself which provides low emissivity properties, a multi-layer structure of alternating dielectric and metallic layers (3) of subnanometric thickness applied to the reflective metal layer and at least one dielectric layer (4) that acts as an anti-reflective layer for the solar spectrum. The coating is applicable as a selective absorbent coating in absorbent tubes for parabolic-trough solar collectors, in solar panels for hot water, heating or domestic cooling, both in the form of absorbent tubes and absorbent sheets, in capture systems in tower solar thermoelectric power plants, and in capture systems in Stirling disk systems.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a visual hydrogen sensor and to a sensor produced in this manner, the sensor allowing the presence of hydrogen gas in a medium to be detected by the naked eye as a result of a change of colour in the sensor. The method involves the deposition of thin porous layers of oxides that do not absorb visible light in their completely oxidised state which become coloured when they are partially reduced. This deposition is carried out using vapour phase deposition (PVD) in a glancing angle configuration (GLAD). The method also involves the preparation of a solution of an active metal precursor capable of dissociating the hydrogen molecule and a carrier vector and the deposition of this solution on the oxide layer in order to incorporate a minimum quantity of active metal within the pores of the oxide layer in the form of nanoparticles.

Abstract: Spectrophotometer for the characterisation of receivers of solar collectors in order to determine optical properties (transmittance and reflectance). The equipment allows the evaluation of a receiver tube in real time and in any kind of light conditions, both inside and outside. The equipment also allows the detection of the eccentricity between the outer tube and the inner tube, which directly influences the reliability of the measurement. The equipment has a mechanical system for allowing a rotation of the equipment around the tube in order to find the optimum measurement position and attach itself to the tube.

Abstract: The invention relates to a suitable control method for a system of photovoltaic concentration modules, which can be used to maintain the correct orientation of the modules in order to track the sun without requiring the use of positioning sensors. The sun is tracked by performing angular movements in relation to each of the degrees of freedom at given intervals, measuring the power or current supplied by the energy collection module(s). The estimation of the sun's position and the strategy for subsequent movements are determined as a function of the reading.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solar receiver with natural circulation for generating saturated steam, which uses water/steam as a heat-transfer fluid and includes a combined circuit for fluid recirculation (forced circulation and natural circulation). The system comprises: water-walls which receive the radiation on the surface thereof and inside which the working fluid changes phase; riser pipes through which the water/steam mix exiting the pipes of the receiver rises towards the drum; downpipes through which the recirculation water descends from the drum to the receiver; and a support pump in order to increase the incident power in the receiver and start up the plant when necessary.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spectrophotometer for the automated optical characterization of solar collector tubes and to a method for the operation thereof, that measures the coefficient of transmission of the glass tube and of reflection of the metal tube. The device includes all the necessary components for taking said measurement, such as the optical bench supporting the tube, the standard or framework, and the optical modules for the device, a main module that generates the light bundles, a measuring module that measures the coefficient of transmission of the outer glass tube and the coefficient of reflection of the inner metal tube, a mechanical system of tube rotation, an electronic system of data acquisition and processing, an external computer for controlling the device and processing the data measured, and a system of communication between the device and the computer.

Abstract: Selective solar absorbent coating and manufacturing method, with solar absorption and low emissivity properties. The coating comprises a substrate (1) of metal, dielectric or ceramic material, at least one highly reflective metal layer (2) in mid-far infrared applied to the substrate itself which provides low emissivity properties, a multi-layer structure of alternating dielectric and metallic layers (3) of subnanometric thickness applied to the reflective metal layer and at least one dielectric layer (4) that acts as an anti-reflective layer for the solar spectrum. The coating is applicable as a selective absorbent coating in absorbent tubes for parabolic-trough solar collectors, in solar panels for hot water, heating or domestic cooling, both in the form of absorbent tubes and absorbent sheets, in capture systems in tower solar thermoelectric power plants, and in capture systems in Stirling disk systems.

Abstract: System for supporting an evaporable getter, which can be installed in any type of solar power receiving tube and which is mounted using an automated method. The system consists of a clip-type supporting element having a substantially thin profile and an S-shaped base, the upper part thereof including a ring in which the pellet of evaporable getter is housed. The pellet is supported by the pins of the supporting element, dispensing with the need for an additional contact part in order to secure the pellet. The clip is secured to the bellows-type expansion compensator, such that it remains inside the vacuum zone of the solar power receiving tube.

Abstract: Insulating element for expansion compensation device and method for manufacture thereof, of the type used in solar energy collector absorber tubes, being formed by a single piece in the form of a ring and with a bellows-like end portion, which is filled with rock wool or other equivalent insulating material, so as to create a hot air chamber which minimizes heat losses.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for the preparation of graphene or graphenic material films by the carbonization of biopolymers. The method comprises the following stages: preparation of an aqueous solution of a non-crystallizable water-soluble biopolymer or a derivative of said biopolymer at the suitable pH, coating of the substrate with the aqueous solution of the biopolymer prepared in the previous stage by immersion of the substrate in said solution or by using the spin coating technique, conditioning of the aqueous solution of the biopolymer by means of a hydrothermal process consisting of subjecting the coated surface to a flow of nitrogen saturated with water vapor at the temperature of between 100 and 250° C. for a time between 30 minutes and several hours, thermal decomposition of the biopolymer deposited on the substrate in the absence of oxygen at temperatures below 1200° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a plan and a process for regenerating degraded heat transfer oil. The plant includes a distillation column for separating heavy components. The distillation column has an upper part and a lower part, the upper part having: a first inlet for receiving degraded oil, and a head having a first outlet for expelling light component vapor. The plant also includes a rectifier, for receiving the vapor, and having: an upper part having a second outlet for expelling light components; and a lower part having a third outlet for expelling regenerated oil. The distillation column further includes a fourth outlet for letting heavy components out in the lower part of the distillation column, a pressure transmitter at the first inlet, a pressure and temperature transmitter at the first outlet, temperature transmitters inside the distillation column, level switches, an automatic valve at the fourth outlet, and an electric resistance for maintaining the oil in a liquid state.

Abstract: It is lighter and easier to assemble. It comprises a) an anchoring sub-structure (10) for anchoring to the ground; b) a tracking sub-structure (20), mounted on the anchoring sub-structure (10) and such that it can rotate about an azimuth axis; c) a driving sub-structure (30) comprising two coaxial hoops (31) formed by a plurality of assembled stamped segments (33), said hoops (31) being joined by tie-rods (32); the driving sub-structure (30) being capable of elevation rotation in relation to the tracking sub-structure (20); d) a supporting sub-structure (50), in the form of a cradle, designed to support a reflective surface; and e) a modular connection sub-structure (40), manufactured with stamped elements, whereon the supporting sub-structure (50) is mounted, and fixed on the inside of the driving sub-structure (30).

Abstract: The present invention relates to the procedure for the preparation of barrier and/or dielectric layers on a substrate, characterized in that it comprises the following stages: (a) cleaning the substrate, (b) placing the substrate on a sample holder and the introduction thereof into a vacuum chamber, (c) dosage of said vacuum chamber with an inert gas and a reactive gas, (d) injection into the vacuum chamber of a volatile precursor that has at least one cation of the compound to be deposited, (e) activation of a radio frequency source and activation of at least one magnetron, (f) decomposition of the volatile precursor using plasma, the reaction between the cation of the volatile precursor and the reactive gas occurring at the same time that the reaction between the reactive gas contained in the plasma and the cation from the target by sputtering takes place, thus leading to the deposition of the film onto the substrate. The device for carrying out said method is also object of the invention.