Abstract: Systems and methods for providing regeneration heat to a sorbent material and subsequently recovering a significant portion of the heat are provided. The systems and methods are useful, for example, for energy-efficient direct capture of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere or flue gases. The systems and methods include introducing steam generated by an evaporator into a reactor of the system to directly heat sorbent material in the reactor and to purge desorbed CO2 from the reactor using the steam. Water condensing within the reactor is drained and returned to the evaporator. The purged steam and CO2 from the reactor are directed to a vapor re-compressor to lift their temperature and then to a condenser or re-boiler where the water is condensed and separated from the CO2 and latent heat transferred to the cooling water is recovered, optionally via use of a jet ejector.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing regeneration heat to a sorbent material and subsequently recovering a significant portion of the heat are provided. The systems and methods are useful, for example, for energy-efficient direct capture of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere or flue gases. The systems and methods include introducing steam generated by an evaporator into a reactor of the system to directly heat sorbent material in the reactor and to purge desorbed CO2 from the reactor using the steam. Water condensing within the reactor is drained and returned to the evaporator. The purged steam and CO2 from the reactor are directed to a vapor re-compressor to lift their temperature and then to a condenser or re-boiler where the water is condensed and separated from the CO2 and latent heat transferred to the cooling water is recovered, optionally via use of a jet ejector.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing regeneration heat to a sorbent material and subsequently recovering a significant portion of the heat are provided. The systems and methods are useful, for example, for energy-efficient direct capture of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere or flue gases. The systems and methods include introducing steam generated by an evaporator into a reactor of the system to directly heat sorbent material in the reactor and to purge desorbed CO2 from the reactor using the steam. Water condensing within the reactor is drained and returned to the evaporator. The purged steam and CO2 from the reactor are directed to a vapor re-compressor to lift their temperature and then to a condenser or re-boiler where the water is condensed and separated from the CO2 and latent heat transferred to the cooling water is recovered, optionally via use of a jet ejector.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing regeneration heat to a sorbent material and subsequently recovering a significant portion of the heat are provided. The systems and methods are useful, for example, for energy-efficient direct capture of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere or flue gases. The systems and methods include introducing steam generated by an evaporator into a reactor of the system to directly heat sorbent material in the reactor and to purge desorbed CO2 from the reactor using the steam. Water condensing within the reactor is drained and returned to the evaporator. The purged steam and CO2 from the reactor are directed to a vapor re-compressor to lift their temperature and then to a condenser or re-boiler where the water is condensed and separated from the CO2 and latent heat transferred to the cooling water is recovered, optionally via use of a jet ejector.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing regeneration heat to a sorbent material and subsequently recovering a significant portion of the heat are provided. The systems and methods are useful, for example, for energy-efficient direct capture of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere or flue gases. The systems and methods include introducing steam generated by an evaporator into a reactor of the system to directly heat sorbent material in the reactor and to purge desorbed CO2 from the reactor using the steam. Water condensing within the reactor is drained and returned to the evaporator. The purged steam and CO2 from the reactor are directed to a vapor re-compressor to lift their temperature and then to a condenser or re-boiler where the water is condensed and separated from the CO2 and latent heat transferred to the cooling water is recovered, optionally via use of a jet ejector.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing regeneration heat to a sorbent material and subsequently recovering a significant portion of the heat are provided. The systems and methods are useful, for example, for energy-efficient direct capture of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere or flue gases. The systems and methods include introducing steam generated by an evaporator into a reactor of the system to directly heat sorbent material in the reactor and to purge desorbed CO2 from the reactor using the steam. Water condensing within the reactor is drained and returned to the evaporator. The purged steam and CO2 from the reactor are directed to a vapor re-compressor to lift their temperature and then to a condenser or re-boiler where the water is condensed and separated from the CO2 and latent heat transferred to the cooling water is recovered, optionally via use of a jet ejector.

Abstract: A control knob assembly to control an operation of an appliance comprises a skirt adapted to engage the appliance. The skirt has a side wall, and a front face which in use will face away from the appliance. The assembly has a knob adapted to engage with the skirt, the knob having a side wall, the knob being adapted to move axially relative to the skirt. A spring is located between the knob and the skirt, to bias the knob and the skirt away from each other. The skirt and/or the knob has a spring retaining means adapted to retain the spring.

Abstract: A control knob assembly to control an operation of an appliance comprises a skirt adapted to engage the appliance. The skirt has a side wall, and a front face which in use will face away from the appliance. The assembly has a knob adapted to engage with the skirt, the knob having a side wall, the knob being adapted to move axially relative to the skirt. A spring is located between the knob and the skirt, to bias the knob and the skirt away from each other. The skirt and/or the knob has a spring retaining means adapted to retain the spring.

Abstract: Thermocline storage tanks for solar power systems are disclosed. A thermocline region is provided between hot and cold storage regions of a fluid within the storage tank cavity. One example storage tank includes spaced apart baffles fixed relative to the tank and arranged within the thermocline region to substantially physically separate the cavity into hot and cold storage regions. In another example, a flexible baffle separated the hot and cold storage regions and deflects as the thermocline region shifts to accommodate changing hot and cold volumes. In yet another example, a controller is configured to move a baffle within the thermocline region in response to flow rates from hot and cold pumps, which are used to pump the fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a closed loop circuit that has a concentrated solar receiver and a particulate thermal transfer media moveable through the closed loop circuit. The particulate thermal transfer media has a melting temperature of greater than 600° C./1112° F. A heat exchanger is in communication with the particulate thermal transfer media.

Abstract: An example space-based power generation panel arrangement includes a first reflective panel and at least one heat pipe configured to communicate thermal energy to the first reflective panel and a second reflective panel. The heat pipe is configured to hinge the first reflective panel to the second reflective panel.

Abstract: An example space-based power generation panel arrangement includes a first reflective panel and at least one heat pipe configured to communicate thermal energy to the first reflective panel and a second reflective panel. The heat pipe is configured to hinge the first reflective panel to the second reflective panel.

Abstract: A segmented parabolic concentrator includes a concave surface which extends from a central support, the concave surface defines a multitude of flat segments.

Abstract: Thermocline storage tanks for solar power systems are disclosed. A thermocline region is provided between hot and cold storage regions of a fluid within the storage tank cavity. One example storage tank includes spaced apart baffles fixed relative to the tank and arranged within the thermocline region to substantially physically separate the cavity into hot and cold storage regions. In another example, a flexible baffle separated the hot and cold storage regions and deflects as the thermocline region shifts to accommodate changing hot and cold volumes. In yet another example, a controller is configured to move a baffle within the thermocline region in response to flow rates from hot and cold pumps, which are used to pump the fluid.

Abstract: A solar-powered supercritical carbon dioxide turbine system includes a supercritical carbon dioxide turbine system and a solar heating system. The solar heating system has a molten salt heat transfer fluid for providing thermal energy to the supercritical carbon dioxide turbine system.

Abstract: A solar-powered supercritical carbon dioxide turbine system includes a supercritical carbon dioxide turbine system and a solar heating system. The solar heating system has a molten salt heat transfer fluid for providing thermal energy to the supercritical carbon dioxide turbine system.

Abstract: A dual neutron-gamma ray source comprises a compact neutron generator, a shield, a collimator, and an internal gamma target. The shield surrounds the compact neutron generator. The collimator traverses the shield from the compact neutron generator to a collimator port. The internal gamma target is positioned within the collimator to generate gamma rays from the neutrons.

Abstract: A dual neutron-gamma ray source comprises a compact neutron generator, a shield, a collimator, and an internal gamma target. The shield surrounds the compact neutron generator. The collimator traverses the shield from the compact neutron generator to a collimator port. The internal gamma target is positioned within the collimator to generate gamma rays from the neutrons.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for gas/liquid separation on an array of jets or streams of liquid is provided. Layers of substantially spherical aggregates of meshed material are provided to “quiet” high-velocity liquid flow with entrained gas to provide a uniform flow at moderate or low velocity from which the gas has been substantially separated from the liquid.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for gas/liquid separation on an array of jets or streams of liquid is provided. Layers of structured packing material are configured to “quiet” high-velocity liquid flow with entrained gas to provide a flow at moderate or low velocity from which the gas has been substantially separated from the liquid.