Abstract: A power generation device may include a radiation source, an emitter, and a collector. The emitter may be formed adjacent to the radiation source. The emitter may include a high-density material. The collector may be adjacent to the radiation source and include a low-density material. The emitter is between the radiation source and the collector. An insulator may be positioned between the emitter and the collector. An emitter of a nuclear battery and a method of forming an emitter of a nuclear battery are also disclosed.

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: 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: A solar receiver includes a cavity that is operable to receive concentrated solar energy and a heat exchanger in thermal-receiving communication with the cavity. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of thermal capacitors. Each of the plurality of thermal capacitors has a regular geometry. The plurality of thermal capacitors defines open flow passages there between and at least two of the plurality of thermal capacitors have a different size. The plurality of thermal capacitors has a packing factor of greater than 74% with regard to the volume of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A heat rejection system includes a plurality of panel subassemblies and a solid state heat pipe flex joint. Each panel subassembly includes a fin, a solid state heat pipe manifold, a first solid state heat pipe tube operatively connected to the solid state heat pipe manifold and secured to the fin, a second solid state heat pipe tube operatively connected to the solid state heat pipe manifold adjacent to the first solid state heat pipe and secured to the fin. The solid state heat pipe flex joint operably connects the solid state heat pipe manifolds of two of the plurality of panel subassemblies in a hermetically sealed configuration, and is configured to permit repositioning of the two panel subassemblies relative to each other.

Abstract: A solar receiver includes a cavity that is operable to receive concentrated solar energy and a heat exchanger in thermal-receiving communication with the cavity. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of thermal capacitors. Each of the plurality of thermal capacitors has a regular geometry. The plurality of thermal capacitors defines open flow passages there between and at least two of the plurality of thermal capacitors have a different size. The plurality of thermal capacitors has a packing factor of greater than 74% with regard to the volume of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A lifting assembly for a solar power tower includes a track, a cable, and a winch. The track extends longitudinally from the tower top to the tower base. The winch is located at the tower top and anchors the cable that extends toward the tower bottom adjacent the track. A component attached to the track and to the cable is guided along the track by the winch spooling or unspooling the cable.

Abstract: A thermal insulator includes a plurality of insulation layers with a first insulation layer spaced apart from a second insulation layer such that there is an open gap there between. At least one of the first insulation layer or the second insulation layer includes a substrate and an infrared-reflective coating on the substrate.

Abstract: A high temperature solar power tower system includes a molten salt heat transfer medium, a high temperature solar receiver, and an energy conversion system. The molten salt heat transfer medium is capable of being heated to a temperature of at least approximately 1200 degrees Fahrenheit by the high temperature solar receiver. The energy conversion system uses the heated molten salt to generate power.

Abstract: An air quality instrumentation system for a concentrated solar power generation system using a fluid heat transfer medium includes a pipe, a window and a spectroscope. The pipe extends from the concentrated solar power generation system and contains system air from within the concentrated solar power generation system. The window is positioned within the pipe to permit light to pass through the pipe and the system air. The spectroscope is positioned adjacent the window to assess concentration of a constituent within the system air, the concentration of the constituent providing an indication of an operating condition of the concentrated solar power generation system.

Abstract: An air drying system for use in a concentrated solar power generation system using a fluid heat transfer medium includes a first vent pipe and a first desiccant pack. The first vent pipe extends from the concentrated solar power generation system and includes a first inlet open to ambient air, and a first outlet open to an interior of the solar power generation system in fluid communication with the fluid heat transfer medium. The first desiccant pack is positioned within the first vent pipe between the first inlet and first outlet and is positioned to reduce moisture content of ambient air flowing into the first vent pipe.

Abstract: A resource recovery system includes a capture container located at a desired surface defining a capture volume between the surface and an interior of the capture container. One or more hole-making devices are configured to excavate soil from at least one hole in the surface. One or more energy emitters direct energy toward the excavated soil to heat the excavated soil thereby releasing one or more compounds. The capture container is configured to capture gas and/or liquid compounds released from the excavated soil. A method of resource extraction from soil includes covering a desired surface with a capture container defining a capture volume between the desired surface and an interior of the capture container. Soil is excavated from a hole in the desired surface into the capture volume. The excavated soil is heated via one or more energy emitters thereby releasing one or more compounds into the capture volume.

Abstract: A resource recovery system includes a capture container located at a desired surface defining a capture volume between the surface and an interior of the capture container. One or more hole-making devices are located in the capture container to excavate soil from at least one hole in the surface. A heater located in the hole making device heats the excavated soil, releasing one or more compounds from the excavated soil. The capture container is configured to capture gas and/or liquid compounds released from the excavated soil. A method of resource extraction from soil includes covering a desired surface with a capture container defining a capture volume between the desired surface and an interior of the capture container. Soil is excavated from a hole in the desired surface into the capture volume with an auger. The auger heats the excavated soil thereby releasing one or more compounds into the capture volume.

Abstract: A heat transfer system includes a heat source, a heat sink, and a thermotransfer structure that is operable to transfer heat between the heat source and the heat sink. The thermotransfer structure includes a thermally conductive element and a thermal storage element adjacent the thermally conductive element.

Abstract: An optical device is provided and includes a beam splitter disposed to direct a first portion of a light beam propagating along a first light path along a second light path transverse to the first light path and to permit a second portion of the light beam to propagate along a third light path oriented in line with the first light path and a beam dump disposed on the third light path and including a surface upon which the second light beam portion is incident, the beam dump surface having ion implantation defects formed thereon to absorb a substantial entirety of the second light beam portion.

Abstract: A fluid tube routes a fluid adjacent to a source of heat to heat the fluid. The heated fluid is passed adjacent to cells which receive infrared radiation from the heated fluid. An anti-corrosion member is positioned on a portion of the tube adjacent to the cells. The anti-corrosion member is spaced from an outer periphery of the tube to provide a chamber between the portion of the tube and the anti-corrosion member.

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: A system for releasing and capturing gases from a regolith material has a frame that is movable to define a capture space on a regolith material. A mirror captures solar energy, and focuses energy through a lens and on a regolith defined within the captured space. Apparatus is provided for capturing released gas. A method of operating such a system is also disclosed and claimed. In addition, a method of forming structural material is also disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: A ballast member may be disposed within a vessel to reduce an active volume of the vessel through which the working fluid can circulate. For instance, a solar power system may include a solar receiver through which a working fluid can be circulated and at least one solar collector that is operative to direct solar energy toward the solar receiver to heat the working fluid. A tank is fluidly connected with the solar receivers such that the working fluid can be circulated through the tank. The tank includes an internal chamber and at least one ballast member within the internal chamber that reduces the active volume of the internal chamber.

Abstract: An instrumentation system utilizes a single light source collimated through windows through a gas line in communication with a fuel cell. As each beam passes through each window, the gas stream will attenuate each beam. A diffraction grating disperses each attenuated beam and transmits particular wavelength bands through a focusing system to a detector. The measured concentration in the gas stream may then be utilized by a controller to determine the amount of power produced by the cell, determine potential leaks, or determine incomplete reaction.