Abstract: A startup system for a solar boiler includes a main fluid circuit having a plurality of solar boiler panels for generating power from solar energy. An auxiliary fluid circuit is selectively connected in fluid communication with the main fluid circuit by a plurality of valves. An auxiliary boiler is operatively connected to the auxiliary fluid circuit. The valves connecting the auxiliary fluid circuit to the main fluid circuit are configured to be opened and closed to selectively place the auxiliary boiler in fluid communication with portions of the main fluid circuit to supply heat to the portions of the main fluid circuit in preparation to produce power from solar energy.

Abstract: A boiler for a solar receiver includes a first receiver panel having a plurality of substantially parallel boiler tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header of the panel to an outlet header of the panel. A second receiver panel has a plurality of substantially parallel boiler tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header of the panel to an outlet header of the panel. The boiler tubes of the second receiver panel are substantially parallel to the boiler tubes of the first receiver panel. The first and second receiver panels are separated by a gap. A panel expansion joint is connected to the first and second receiver panels across the gap, wherein the panel expansion joint is configured and adapted to allow for lengthwise thermal expansion and contraction of the receiver panels along the boiler tubes, and to allow for lateral thermal expansion and contraction of the receiver panels toward and away from one another, while blocking solar radiation through the gap.

Abstract: A boiler for a solar receiver includes a first receiver panel having a plurality of substantially parallel boiler tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header of the panel to an outlet header of the panel. A second receiver panel has a plurality of substantially parallel boiler tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header of the panel to an outlet header of the panel. The boiler tubes of the second receiver panel are substantially parallel to the boiler tubes of the first receiver panel. The first and second receiver panels are separated by a gap. A panel expansion joint is connected to the first and second receiver panels across the gap, wherein the panel expansion joint is configured and adapted to allow for lengthwise thermal expansion and contraction of the receiver panels along the boiler tubes, and to allow for lateral thermal expansion and contraction of the receiver panels toward and away from one another, while blocking solar radiation through the gap.

Abstract: A boiler for a solar receiver includes a first boiler panel having a plurality of tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header of the first boiler panel to an outlet header of the first boiler panel. The tubes of the first boiler panel form a first solar receiver surface. A second boiler panel has a plurality of tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header of the second boiler panel to an outlet header of the second boiler panel. The tubes of the second boiler panel form a second solar receiver surface. The first and second boiler panels are adjacent to one another with a portion of the first boiler panel and an end of the first solar receiver surface overlapping an end of the second boiler panel to reduce solar radiation passing between the first and second solar receiver surfaces.

Abstract: A startup system for a solar boiler includes a main fluid circuit having a plurality of solar boiler panels for generating power from solar energy. An auxiliary fluid circuit is selectively connected in fluid communication with the main fluid circuit by a plurality of valves. An auxiliary boiler is operatively connected to the auxiliary fluid circuit. The valves connecting the auxiliary fluid circuit to the main fluid circuit are configured to be opened and closed to selectively place the auxiliary boiler in fluid communication with portions of the main fluid circuit to supply heat to the portions of the main fluid circuit in preparation to produce power from solar energy.

Abstract: A startup system for a solar boiler includes a main fluid circuit having a plurality of solar boiler panels for generating power from solar energy. An auxiliary fluid circuit is selectively connected in fluid communication with the main fluid circuit by a plurality of valves. An auxiliary boiler is operatively connected to the auxiliary fluid circuit. The valves connecting the auxiliary fluid circuit to the main fluid circuit are configured to be opened and closed to selectively place the auxiliary boiler in fluid communication with portions of the main fluid circuit to supply heat to the portions of the main fluid circuit in preparation to produce power from solar energy.

Abstract: A modular panel for a solar boiler includes an inlet header, an outlet header, and a plurality of tubes fluidly connecting the inlet header to the outlet header. The tubes are substantially coplanar with one another forming a solar receiver surface and an opposed internal surface. The panel is modular in terms of height, width, number of tubes, and size of tubes, for improved handling of high heat flux and resultant thermally induced stresses.

Abstract: A boiler for a solar receiver includes a first boiler panel having a plurality of tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header of the first boiler panel to an outlet header of the first boiler panel. The tubes of the first boiler panel form a first solar receiver surface. A second boiler panel has a plurality of tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header of the second boiler panel to an outlet header of the second boiler panel. The tubes of the second boiler panel form a second solar receiver surface. The first and second boiler panels are adjacent to one another with a portion of the first boiler panel and an end of the first solar receiver surface overlapping an end of the second boiler panel to reduce solar radiation passing between the first and second solar receiver surfaces.

Abstract: A boiler for a solar receiver includes a first boiler panel having a plurality of tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header of the first boiler panel to an outlet header of the first boiler panel. The tubes of the first boiler panel form a first solar receiver surface. A second boiler panel has a plurality of tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header of the second boiler panel to an outlet header of the second boiler panel. The tubes of the second boiler panel form a second solar receiver surface. The first and second boiler panels are adjacent to one another with a portion of the first boiler panel and an end of the first solar receiver surface overlapping an end of the second boiler panel to reduce solar radiation passing between the first and second solar receiver surfaces.

Abstract: A startup system for a solar boiler includes a main fluid circuit having a plurality of solar boiler panels for generating power from solar energy. An auxiliary fluid circuit is selectively connected in fluid communication with the main fluid circuit by a plurality of valves. An auxiliary boiler is operatively connected to the auxiliary fluid circuit. The valves connecting the auxiliary fluid circuit to the main fluid circuit are configured to be opened and closed to selectively place the auxiliary boiler in fluid communication with portions of the main fluid circuit to supply heat to the portions of the main fluid circuit in preparation to produce power from solar energy.

Abstract: A modular panel for a solar boiler includes an inlet header, an outlet header, and a plurality of tubes fluidly connecting the inlet header to the outlet header. The tubes are substantially coplanar with one another forming a solar receiver surface and an opposed internal surface. The panel is modular in terms of height, width, number of tubes, and size of tubes, for improved handling of high heat flux and resultant thermally induced stresses.

Abstract: The invention includes a grate system for a boiler. The grate system includes a grate unit and a side header guard. The grate unit supports fuel during combustion thereof, and has an upper surface, a lower surface, and upturned lateral edges. The side header guard is arranged along a side wall of the boiler and has upwardly and downwardly projecting fin portions. The upwardly projecting fin portion is adapted and configured to extend over and protect the boiler side wall from abrasion by fuel. The downwardly projecting fin portion is adapted and configured to extend over the upturned lateral edge of the grate unit, inhibiting passage of fuel therebetween.

Abstract: A boiler for a solar receiver includes a first boiler panel having a plurality of tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header of the first boiler panel to an outlet header of the first boiler panel. The tubes of the first boiler panel form a first solar receiver surface. A second boiler panel has a plurality of tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header of the second boiler panel to an outlet header of the second boiler panel. The tubes of the second boiler panel form a second solar receiver surface. The first and second boiler panels are adjacent to one another with a portion of the first boiler panel and an end of the first solar receiver surface overlapping an end of the second boiler panel to reduce solar radiation passing between the first and second solar receiver surfaces.

Abstract: A boiler for a solar receiver includes a first receiver panel having a plurality of substantially parallel boiler tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header of the panel to an outlet header of the panel. A second receiver panel has a plurality of substantially parallel boiler tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header of the panel to an outlet header of the panel. The boiler tubes of the second receiver panel are substantially parallel to the boiler tubes of the first receiver panel. The first and second receiver panels are separated by a gap. A panel expansion joint is connected to the first and second receiver panels across the gap, wherein the panel expansion joint is configured and adapted to allow for lengthwise thermal expansion and contraction of the receiver panels along the boiler tubes, and to allow for lateral thermal expansion and contraction of the receiver panels toward and away from one another, while blocking solar radiation through the gap.

Abstract: The invention includes a grate system for a boiler. The grate system includes a grate unit and a side header guard. The grate unit supports fuel during combustion thereof, and has an upper surface, a lower surface, and upturned lateral edges. The side header guard is arranged along a side wall of the boiler and has upwardly and downwardly projecting fin portions. The upwardly projecting fin portion is adapted and configured to extend over and protect the boiler side wall from abrasion by fuel. The downwardly projecting fin portion is adapted and configured to extend over the upturned lateral edge of the grate unit, inhibiting passage of fuel therebetween.