Abstract: A skip hoist particle lift system for a particle-based high-temperature power tower plant includes a pre-skip subsystem, an upper hopper disposed above the pre-skip subsystem and separated therefrom, a plurality of elongated guide rails connecting the pre-skip subsystem and the upper hopper to one another, and a skip mounted on the elongated guide rails and configured to be moved therealong between the pre-skip subsystem and the upper hopper. The pre-skip subsystem includes a container configured to accumulate an amount of hot particles therein and to automatically discharge the hot particles into the skip upon arrival of the skip in a loading area of the pre-skip subsystem. The skip is configured to transport the loaded particles upwardly toward the hopper and to subsequently discharge the particles inside of the hopper. Then, the emptied skip is returned to the pre-skip subsystem to repeat the process.

Abstract: The system for measuring the angle of repose of high temperature granular material includes a hollow chamber with an optically transparent window. A cylindrical receptacle is rotatably mounted within the hollow chamber, with an open end thereof releasably covered by an optically transparent plate. The cylindrical receptacle is oriented with respect to the hollow chamber such that the optically transparent plate faces, and is aligned with, the optically transparent window. The cylindrical receptacle is controllably rotated within the hollow chamber. The temperature within the hollow chamber may be selectively adjusted by one or more heating elements mounted therein. A camera detects the angle of repose of granular material in the cylindrical receptacle when the cylindrical receptacle is rotated within the hollow chamber. The camera is positioned such that the granular material may be viewed thereby through the optically transparent plate and the optically transparent window.

Abstract: A thermal energy storage (TES) bin assembly for a high temperature, particle-based solar power plant, the TES bin assembly including a TES bin for storing hot particles therein and a feeder assembly configured to insert the hot particles inside of the TES bin. The TES bin has a base, a lid separated from the base, and a hollow body extending between the base and the lid. The hollow body is made of a plurality of cylindrically shaped structures. The innermost cylindrically shaped structure defines an interior of the TES bin together with the lid and the base. The innermost cylindrically shaped structure is made with abrasion resistant bricks. A second cylindrically shaped structure is made of an insulating material and surrounds the second structure. A third cylindrically shaped structure surrounds the second structure and includes expansion joints. The base has a funnel shape and the lid has a removable component.