Abstract: A method for producing power comprises compressing gas from an ambient source during a first period of time; storing the compressed gas in a storage reservoir; and supplying said compressed gas from the storage reservoir to a gas turbine during a second period of time to produce electric power. The first period of time may coincide with periods of off-peak demand for electricity, such as at night. In such case, the said second period of time is during the day. The compressed gas supplied to the gas turbine may be heated in a combustion chamber wherein fuel is burned, and/or a solar collector. The solar collector may comprise a receiver positioned at the top of a tower for receiving the compressed gas, and tracking reflectors for focusing solar on said receiver and heating the gas therein. The solar radiation receiver may comprise a rotatable ceramic member for transferring heat from solar radiation to the gas.

Abstract: Combustible gases are produced from a solid fuel by pyrolizing the fuel in a pyrolyzer containing a low grade solid fuel producing combustible gases, and carbonaceous material that is combusted in a furnace to produce hot products that include hot flue gases and particulate material. The hot products are separated into a plurality of streams, one of which contains comparatively coarse ash which is directed into the pyrolyzer for effecting the pyrolyzation of the fuel. A stream of reaction gases is applied to the pyrolyzer in such a way that the stream of reaction gases bubbles through the carbonaceous material in the pyrolyzer without fluidizing such material. In effect, the reaction gases activate the void fraction in the pyrolyzer thereby reducing the residence time of the material therein.

Abstract: An existing geothermal power plant, utilizing geothermal steam from a production well in a geothermal field to drive a multi-stage steam turbine when the available steam pressure from the production well for rated mass for steam through the turbine is less than the design pressure of the turbine, is retrofitted by increasing the mass flow of steam from the production well by an incremental amount. Substantially all of the incremental amount of steam is diverted to an organic fluid Rankine cycle power plant for converting heat in the diverted steam to power and producing waste fluid in the form of steam condensate and non-condensable gases. The waste fluid is injected into a reinjection well in the geothermal field. Preferably, the non-diverted portion of steam is applied to the steam turbine and an intermediate stage of the turbine where the design pressure of the stage matches the steam pressure of the applied steam.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of and apparatus for producing power from solar energy wherein a solar collector heats gas supplied to a gas turbine; compressors compress the gas, the gas being compressed and stored gas during a first period of time, with the stored compressed gas being supplied to the gas turbine during a second period of time to produce power by driving an electric generator. Preferably, the first period of time is during periods of off-peak electricity, which normally occur at night. The second period of time is during the day. The solar collector preferably comprises tracking reflectors for focusing solar radiation and a receiver for receiving the focused solar radiation and also heating the gas. The solar radiation receiver preferably comprises a rotating ceramic member.