Abstract: A particle receiver includes an inlet, an outlet and multiple tubes rotatably coupled to the inlet and the outlet. The tubes receive particles via the inlet, the particles passing along a passageway of each of the tubes to the outlet. The tubes receive a solar flux as they rotate to heat the particles passing through the tubes. A heat transfer coefficient of the particles is increased by increased mixing via air flowing in the tubes, fins used to mix the particles or via channels via which the particles pass through that increase turnover and mixing of the particles.

Abstract: An air receiver for use in a solar power plant receives sunlight from a plurality of heliostats focused on the air receiver via an aperture of the receiver to heat air in the cavity of the receiver. The heated air is directed out of the receiver via one or more output ports in fluid communication with the cavity. A solar power tower can include one or more receivers (e.g., oriented in different directions) and have outflow conduit(s) in fluid communication with the output ports. The outflow conduit(s) receive heated air from the one or more receivers and direct it toward one or both of a hot thermal storage tank and a heat utilization module (e.g., for use in generating electricity or facilitating an industrial process, such as a chemical reaction).