Abstract: A module for thermal storage by a phase-change material includes a vat, at least one heat-exchanger having first and second connecting ends configured to be connected to a heat-transfer fluid network, the first and second connecting ends penetrating and opening into the vat, and a structure received in the vat and configured to contain a phase-change material. The structure includes a porous matrix made of a metallic material with communicating cells crossed by the heat-exchanger and in contact with the external surface of the heat-exchanger. The matrix is obtained by moulding around the heat-exchanger. The vat includes at least one wall made of a metallic material formed directly during moulding and integral with the matrix.

Abstract: A solar radiation absorber element for a thermal concentrating solar power plant is achieved by forming a selective coating on an outer surface of a substrate made from stainless steel, chosen from stainless steels presenting an aluminum content of more than 0.5% by weight. Formation of the selective coating includes a surface treatment step of the substrate, by polishing, and a heat treatment step of the substrate, in an oxidizing atmosphere, in a temperature range included between 550° C. and 650° C. The heat treatment in particular enables at least one intrinsically selective superficial thin layer to be formed on the outer surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A method for producing a solar radiation absorber element, for a concentrating thermal solar power plant, including the formation of a selective coating on an outer surface of a steel substrate, formation of the selective coating including the following successive steps: providing a steel substrate having a chromium content between 6% and 12.5% by weight, and an aluminium content less than or equal to 0.05% by weight, performing heat treatment so as to form an oxide layer on the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A solar receiver with a longitudinal axis, including an absorber, a beam extending over an entire length of the solar receiver and configured to suspend the receiver in the power plant, a protective envelope mounted around the beam and including a thermal insulator surrounding the beam, the protective envelope configured to protect the beam from heating due to solar flux, the beam and the protective envelope configured to slide one with respect to the other along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A receiver module for a solar power station receiver, including a metal structure and an absorber module, the metal structure defining a cavity extending along a longitudinal axis in a base of which the absorber module is housed. The cavity includes an aperture configured to be aligned towards at least one mirror of the solar power station, the aperture is edged by two side portions of the metal structure extending longitudinally on either side of the cavity. The receiver module also includes thermocouples positioned on each of the side portions relative to the longitudinal axis to detect a temperature difference between a reference temperature and two points of the metal structure that are opposite relative to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a reflector (6) including a mirror (16) supported by a support structure (18), where the said method includes a step of positioning the mirror relative to the said support structure by moving a mold (30) supporting the mirror relative to the said structure, According to the invention, the method also includes a step of adjustment of multiple links (20) between the mirror and the structure, implemented during the step of positioning of the mirror, and/or after this step, and causing at least a proportion of the links to be moved relative to the structure (18).

Abstract: A solar receiver for a thermal power plant including a plurality of absorber modules, each absorber module including at least one face configured to be illuminated by a solar flux, wherein the modules are arranged side by side forming a paving. Each absorber module further includes its own fluid circuit in which a fluid to be heated by the solar flux can flow, the fluid circuits of the absorber modules being connected to one another.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a thermal energy storage device by means of at least one solid/solid phase change material, comprising a thermal energy storage chamber containing the at least one solid/solid phase change material and a heat exchanger of the heat-transfer fluid type for storing and extracting heat of said s/s PCM immersed in said chamber. The invention will find its application in the field of the storage of thermal energy and for example for the application of storing heat in an urban or industrial heat system.

Abstract: Heat storage tank comprising an envelope (2) with a longitudinal axis (X) filled with a heat transfer liquid and solid heat storage elements, a first longitudinal end provided with first means (10) for collecting and supplying a liquid at a first temperature and a second longitudinal end provided with second means (12) for collecting and supplying a liquid at a second temperature, in which said solid heat storage elements are distributed across three beds (TH1, TH2 and TH3) superposed along the longitudinal axis (X), separated by a layer of liquid (L1, L2 and L3), the heat transfer liquid being capable of flowing from the first longitudinal end to the second longitudinal end.

Abstract: Method for filling a heat storage tank with solid elements having at least one first particle size greater than at least one second particle size, the method includingthe following steps: a) pouring a first quantity of solid elements of the first particle size into the tank, b) levelling said first quantity of solid elements of the first particle size so as to form a layer of a substantially constant height, c) pouring a second given quantity of solid elements of the second particle size over the layer of solid elements of the first particle size such that the solid elements of the second particle size flow between the solid elements of the first particle size and such that the elements of the second particle size are flush with the layer of the solid elements of the first particle size and so as to form an intermediate layer.

Abstract: A method of assembling together titanium parts and steel parts by diffusion welding, the method interposing two thin layers of niobium or vanadium and copper respectively between a titanium part and a steel part, evacuating the assembly of parts and interposed metal layers, and subjecting the assembly to hot isostatic compression at a temperature lying in a range 900° C. to 950° C. and at a pressure lying in a range 1000 bars to 1500 bars for about two hours. The method can be applied to fabricating turbine shafts for turbomachines.

Abstract: A solar power tower solar receiver absorber including: an enclosure; at least one panel configured to be illuminated by solar flux; a core made of at least one material with heat conductivity at least partially encompassed by the enclosure; and a plurality of tubes passing through the core and extending substantially in a parallel direction with respect to the panel configured to be illuminated. The tube is configured for circulation of a fluid to be heated, for example a gas for operating a gas turbine.

Abstract: A solar receiver with a longitudinal axis, including an absorber, a beam extending over an entire length of the solar receiver and configured to suspend the receiver in the power plant, a protective envelope mounted around the beam and including a thermal insulator surrounding the beam, the protective envelope configured to protect the beam from heating due to solar flux, the beam and the protective envelope configured to slide one with respect to the other along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A solar radiation absorber element for a thermal concentrating solar power plant is achieved by forming a selective coating on an outer surface of a substrate made from stainless steel, chosen from stainless steels presenting an aluminium content of more than 0.5% by weight. Formation of the selective coating includes a surface treatment step of the substrate, by polishing, and a heat treatment step of the substrate, in an oxidizing atmosphere, in a temperature range included between 550° C. and 650° C. The heat treatment in particular enables at least one intrinsically selective superficial thin layer to be formed on the outer surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A receiver module for a solar power station receiver, including a metal structure and an absorber module, the metal structure defining a cavity extending along a longitudinal axis in a base of which the absorber module is housed. The cavity includes an aperture configured to be aligned towards at least one mirror of the solar power station, the aperture is edged by two side portions of the metal structure extending longitudinally on either side of the cavity. The receiver module also includes thermocouples positioned on each of the side portions relative to the longitudinal axis to detect a temperature difference between a reference temperature and two points of the metal structure that are opposite relative to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a reflector (6) including a mirror (16) supported by a support structure (18), where the said method includes a step of positioning the mirror relative to the said support structure by moving a mould (30) supporting the mirror relative to the said structure, According to the invention, the method also includes a step of adjustment of multiple links (20) between the mirror and the structure, implemented during the step of positioning of the mirror, and/or after this step, and causing at least a proportion of the links to be moved relative to the structure (18).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a heat exchanger system comprising at least one module (1) traversed by a row of fluid circulation channels, the embodiment of said module being implemented as follows: formation of an assembly (4) comprising, in parallel, a plurality of metal conduits (10) each forming, with the inner space thereof, one of the fluid circulation channels, the conduits being arranged between two metal plates (6, 6), the spaces defined by the directly consecutive conduits and said metal plates being filled by a metal filling substance (8), and the assembly also comprising connection elements (20) of the conduits; and treatment of the assembly (4) so as to obtain diffusion welding of the conduits (10) with the substance (8), the plates and the elements (20).

Abstract: A solar power tower solar receiver absorber including: an enclosure; at least one panel configured to be illuminated by solar flux; a core made of at least one material with heat conductivity at least partially encompassed by the enclosure; and a plurality of tubes passing through the core and extending substantially in a parallel direction with respect to the panel configured to be illuminated. The tube is configured for circulation of a fluid to be heated, for example a gas for operating a gas turbine.

Abstract: A solar receiver for a thermal power plant including a plurality of absorber modules, each absorber module including at least one face configured to be illuminated by a solar flux, wherein the modules are arranged side by side forming a paving. Each absorber module further includes its own fluid circuit in which a fluid to be heated by the solar flux can flow, the fluid circuits of the absorber modules being connected to one another.

Abstract: An absorber for a solar receiver with a casing of lengthways axis including at a first lengthways end, a collector to supply a heat transfer fluid; and at a second lengthways end, a collector for evacuating the heat transfer fluid. The casing includes a first wall having a face intended to be subjected to a luminous flux, a second wall facing the first wall, and side walls connecting said the first and second walls. The casing is formed by at least one rib extending lengthways, and attached to the first and to the second wall. The at least one rib includes windows, and deflectors associated with the windows. The deflectors cause a portion of the heat transfer fluid to flow through the windows, causing reblending of the heat transfer fluid.