Abstract: A hybrid process and system for separating water from an inlet brine solution is disclosed. The hybrid process couples at least two different separation processes/systems. The inlet brine solution is fed into a first separation process, which produces a water distillate and a brine concentrate. The brine concentrate from the first separation process is then fed into the second separation process to further recover additional water. The excess heat from the second separation process is supplied to the first separation process.

Abstract: A parabolic trough solar collector include a parabolic trough reflector extending in a longitudinal direction; and a frame supporting the reflector, the frame comprising at least one truss extending perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the at least one truss comprising a plurality of wooden members connected at a plurality of joints, wherein: a first wooden member has a stiffness SWM1, a second wooden member has a stiffness SWM2, and a first joint that connects the first wooden member and the second wooden member together has a stiffness SJ1, and wherein: SWM1?2×SJ1, and SWM2?2×SJ1.