Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to multi-stage falling particle receivers and methods of falling particle heating. As the particles fall through the receiver, the particles are periodically collected and released by flow retarding devices. The periodic catch-and-release of the particles falling through the receiver reduces particle flow dispersion, increases particle opacity and solar absorption, and reduces erosion and damage to surfaces caused by direct particle impingement.

Abstract: A multi-port power conversion system can have a multi-winding transformer and at least three ports. Each port can be coupled to the multi-winding transformer. Each port can have a semiconductor bridge and a coupling network. For each port, the semiconductor bridge can have two or more levels and can comprise at least two switches. The coupling network for each port can comprise at least one inductor. The semiconductor bridge can be coupled to the multi-winding transformer via the respective coupling network. The multi-port power conversion system can have a multi-active bridge (MAB) architecture that is universally applicable to AC-DC, DC-DC, DC-AC, and AC-AC conversion applications and extendable to any number of ports.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to multi-stage falling particle receivers and methods of falling particle heating. As the particles fall through the receiver, the particles are periodically collected and released by flow retarding devices. The periodic catch-and-release of the particles falling through the receiver reduces particle flow dispersion, increases particle opacity and solar absorption, and reduces erosion and damage to surfaces caused by direct particle impingement.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to multi-stage falling particle receivers and methods of falling particle heating. As the particles fall through the receiver, the particles are periodically collected and released by flow retarding devices. The periodic catch-and-release of the particles falling through the receiver reduces particle flow dispersion, increases particle opacity and solar absorption, and reduces erosion and damage to surfaces caused by direct particle impingement.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to multi-stage falling particle receivers and methods of falling particle heating. As the particles fall through the receiver, the particles are periodically collected and released by flow retarding devices. The periodic catch-and-release of the particles falling through the receiver reduces particle flow dispersion, increases particle opacity and solar absorption, and reduces erosion and damage to surfaces caused by direct particle impingement.