Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for a solar-driven chemical plant are disclosed. Some embodiments may include a solar thermal receiver to absorb concentrated solar energy from an array of heliostats and a solar-driven chemical reactor. This chemical reactor may have multiple reactor tubes, in which particles of biomass may be gasified in the presence of a carrier gas in a gasification reaction to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide products. High heat transfer rates of the walls and tubes may allow the particles of biomass to achieve a high enough temperature necessary for substantial tar destruction and complete gasification of greater than 90 percent of the biomass particles into reaction products including hydrogen and carbon monoxide gas in a very short residence time between a range of 0.01 and 5 seconds.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for a solar-driven bio-refinery that may include a entrained-flow biomass feed system that is feedstock flexible via particle size control of the biomass. Some embodiments include a chemical reactor that receives concentrated solar thermal energy from an array of heliostats. The entrained-flow biomass feed system can use an entrainment carrier gas and supplies a variety of biomass sources fed as particles into the solar-driven chemical reactor. Biomass sources in a raw state or partially torrified state may be used, as long as parameters such as particle size of the biomass are controlled. Additionally, concentrated solar thermal energy can drive gasification of the particles. An on-site fuel synthesis reactor may receive the hydrogen and carbon monoxide products from the gasification reaction use the hydrogen and carbon monoxide products in a hydrocarbon fuel synthesis process to create a liquid hydrocarbon fuel.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for a solar-driven chemical plant are disclosed. Some embodiments may include a solar thermal receiver to absorb concentrated solar energy from an array of heliostats and a solar-driven chemical reactor. This chemical reactor may have multiple reactor tubes, in which particles of biomass may be gasified in the presence of a carrier gas in a gasification reaction to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide products. High heat transfer rates of the walls and tubes may allow the particles of biomass to achieve a high enough temperature necessary for substantial tar destruction and complete gasification of greater than 90 percent of the biomass particles into reaction products including hydrogen and carbon monoxide gas in a very short residence time between a range of 0.01 and 5 seconds.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for a solar-driven bio-refinery that may include a entrained-flow biomass feed system that is feedstock flexible via particle size control of the biomass. Some embodiments include a chemical reactor that receives concentrated solar thermal energy from an array of heliostats. The entrained-flow biomass feed system can use an entrainment carrier gas and supplies a variety of biomass sources fed as particles into the solar-driven chemical reactor. Biomass sources in a raw state or partially torrified state may be used, as long as parameters such as particle size of the biomass are controlled. Additionally, concentrated solar thermal energy can drive gasification of the particles. An on-site fuel synthesis reactor may receive the hydrogen and carbon monoxide products from the gasification reaction use the hydrogen and carbon monoxide products in a hydrocarbon fuel synthesis process to create a liquid hydrocarbon fuel.

Abstract: Various processes and apparatus are discussed for an ultra-high heat flux chemical reactor. A thermal receiver and the reactor tubes are aligned to 1) absorb and re-emit radiant energy, 2) highly reflect radiant energy, and 3) any combination of these, to maintain an operational temperature of the enclosed ultra-high heat flux chemical reactor. Particles of biomass are gasified in the presence of a steam carrier gas and methane in a simultaneous steam reformation and steam biomass gasification reaction to produce reaction products that include hydrogen and carbon monoxide gas using the ultra-high heat flux thermal energy radiated from the inner wall and then into the multiple reactor tubes. The multiple reactor tubes and cavity walls of the receiver transfer energy primarily by radiation absorption and re-radiation, rather than by convection or conduction, to the reactants in the chemical reaction to drive the endothermic chemical reaction flowing in the reactor tubes.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for solar-driven chemical plant may include a solar thermal receiver to absorb concentrated solar energy from an array of heliostats. Additionally, some embodiments may include a solar driven chemical reactor that has multiple reactor tubes. The concentrated solar energy drives the endothermic gasification reaction of the particles of biomass flowing through the reactor tubes. Some embodiments may also include an on-site fuel synthesis reactor that is geographically located on the same site as the chemical reactor and integrated to receive the hydrogen and carbon monoxide products from the gasification reaction.

Abstract: Heat-transfer-aid particles entrained with 1) biomass particles, 2) reactant gas, or 3) both are fed into the radiant heat chemical reactor. The inner wall of a cavity and the tubes of the chemical reactor act as radiation distributors by either absorbing radiation and re-radiating it to the heat-transfer-aid particles or reflecting the incident radiation to the heat-transfer-aid particles. The radiation is absorbed by the heat-transfer-aid particles, and the heat is then transferred by conduction to the reacting gas at temperatures between 900° C. and 1600° C. The heat-transfer-aid particles mix with the reactant gas in the radiant heat chemical reactor to sustain the reaction temperature and heat transfer rate to stay within a pyrolysis regime. The heat-transfer-aid particles produce a sufficient heat surface-area to mass ratio of these particles when dispersed with the reactant gas to stay within the pyrolysis regime during the chemical reaction.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for a solar-driven chemical plant that may include a solar thermal receiver having a cavity with an inner wall, where the solar thermal receiver is aligned to absorb concentrated solar energy from one or more of 1) an array of heliostats, 2) solar concentrating dishes, and 3) any combination of the two. Some embodiments may include a solar-driven chemical reactor having multiple reactor tubes located inside the cavity of solar thermal receiver, wherein a chemical reaction driven by radiant heat occurs in the multiple reactor tubes, and wherein particles of biomass are gasified in the presence of a steam (H2O) carrier gas and methane (CH4) in a simultaneous steam reformation and steam biomass gasification reaction to produce reaction products that include hydrogen and carbon monoxide gas using the solar thermal energy from the absorbed concentrated solar energy in the multiple reactor tubes.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for a solar-driven chemical plant are disclosed. An embodiment may include a solar thermal receiver aligned to absorb concentrated solar energy from one or more solar energy concentrating fields. A solar driven chemical reactor may include multiple reactor tubes located inside the solar thermal receiver. The multiple reactor tubes can be used to gasify particles of biomass in the presence of a carrier gas. The gasification reaction may produce reaction products that include hydrogen and carbon monoxide gas having an exit temperature from the tubes exceeding 1000 degrees C. An embodiment can include a quench zone immediately downstream of an exit of the chemical reactor. The quench zone may immediately quench via rapid cooling of at least the hydrogen and carbon monoxide reaction products within 0.1-10 seconds of exiting the chemical reactor to a temperature of 800 degrees C. or less.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for an integrated solar-driven chemical plant that manages variations in solar energy are disclosed. In some embodiments, a chemical reactant, including particles of biomass, are converted in a solar driven chemical reactor into synthesis gas containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen using concentrated solar energy to drive the conversion of the chemical reactant. The synthesis gas is supplied for a catalytic conversion of the synthesis gas in a methanol synthesis plant to methanol. Cycling occurs between an operational state and an idle state for a number of methanol trains in the methanol synthesis plant depending upon an amount of synthesis gas generated in the solar driven chemical reactor. A control system for the chemical reactor sends control signals to and receives feedback from a control system for the methanol synthesis plant.

Abstract: Heat-transfer-aid particles entrained with 1) biomass particles, 2) reactant gas, or 3) both are fed into the radiant heat chemical reactor. The inner wall of a cavity and the tubes of the chemical reactor act as radiation distributors by either absorbing radiation and re-radiating it to the heat-transfer-aid particles or reflecting the incident radiation to the heat-transfer-aid particles. The radiation is absorbed by the heat-transfer-aid particles, and the heat is then transferred by conduction to the reacting gas at temperatures between 900° C. and 1600° C. The heat-transfer-aid particles mix with the reactant gas in the radiant heat chemical reactor to sustain the reaction temperature and heat transfer rate to stay within a pyrolysis regime. The heat-transfer-aid particles produce a sufficient heat surface-area to mass ratio of these particles when dispersed with the reactant gas to stay within the pyrolysis regime during the chemical reaction.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for a solar-driven chemical plant are disclosed. Some embodiments may include a solar thermal receiver to absorb concentrated solar energy from an array of heliostats and a solar-driven chemical reactor. This chemical reactor may have multiple reactor tubes, in which particles of biomass may be gasified in the presence of a carrier gas in a gasification reaction to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide products. High heat transfer rates of the walls and tubes may allow the particles of biomass to achieve a high enough temperature necessary for substantial tar destruction and complete gasification of greater than 90 percent of the biomass particles into reaction products including hydrogen and carbon monoxide gas in a very short residence time between a range of 0.01 and 5 seconds.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for solar-driven chemical plant may include a solar thermal receiver to absorb concentrated solar energy from an array of heliostats. Additionally, some embodiments may include a solar driven chemical reactor that has multiple reactor tubes. The concentrated solar energy drives the endothermic gasification reaction of the particles of biomass flowing through the reactor tubes. Some embodiments may also include an on-site fuel synthesis reactor that is geographically located on the same site as the chemical reactor and integrated to receive the hydrogen and carbon monoxide products from the gasification reaction.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for an integrated solar-driven chemical plant that manages variations in solar energy are disclosed. In some embodiments, a chemical reactant, including particles of biomass, are converted in a solar driven chemical reactor into synthesis gas containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen using concentrated solar energy to drive the conversion of the chemical reactant. The synthesis gas is supplied for a catalytic conversion of the synthesis gas in a methanol synthesis plant to methanol. Cycling occurs between an operational state and an idle state for a number of methanol trains in the methanol synthesis plant depending upon an amount of synthesis gas generated in the solar driven chemical reactor. A control system for the chemical reactor sends control signals to and receives feedback from a control system for the methanol synthesis plant.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for a solar-driven chemical plant that manages variations in solar energy are disclosed. Some embodiments include a solar thermal receiver to absorb concentrated solar energy, a solar driven chemical reactor contained within the solar thermal receiver, and an entrained gas biomass feed system that uses an entrainment carrier gas and supplies a variety of biomass sources fed as particles into the solar driven chemical reactor. Inner walls of the solar thermal receiver and the chemical reactor can be made from materials selected to transfer energy. Some embodiments include a control system that may be configured to balance the gasification reaction of biomass particles with the available concentrated solar energy and additional variable parameters including, but not limited to, a fixed range of particle sizes, temperature of the chemical reactor, and residence time of the particles in a reaction zone in the chemical reactor.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for a solar-driven bio-refinery that may include a entrained-flow biomass feed system that is feedstock flexible via particle size control of the biomass. Some embodiments include a chemical reactor that receives concentrated solar thermal energy from an array of heliostats. The entrained-flow biomass feed system can use an entrainment carrier gas and supplies a variety of biomass sources fed as particles into the solar-driven chemical reactor. Biomass sources in a raw state or partially torrified state may be used, as long as parameters such as particle size of the biomass are controlled. Additionally, concentrated solar thermal energy can drive gasification of the particles. An on-site fuel synthesis reactor may receive the hydrogen and carbon monoxide products from the gasification reaction use the hydrogen and carbon monoxide products in a hydrocarbon fuel synthesis process to create a liquid hydrocarbon fuel.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for a solar-driven chemical plant are disclosed. An embodiment may include a solar thermal receiver aligned to absorb concentrated solar energy from one or more solar energy concentrating fields. A solar driven chemical reactor may include multiple reactor tubes located inside the solar thermal receiver. The multiple reactor tubes can be used to gasify particles of biomass in the presence of a carrier gas. The gasification reaction may produce reaction products that include hydrogen and carbon monoxide gas having an exit temperature from the tubes exceeding 1000 degrees C. An embodiment can include a quench zone immediately downstream of an exit of the chemical reactor. The quench zone may immediately quench via rapid cooling of at least the hydrogen and carbon monoxide reaction products within 0.1-10 seconds of exiting the chemical reactor to a temperature of 800 degrees C. or less.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for a solar-driven chemical reactor are disclosed, including a solar thermal receiver aligned to absorb concentrated solar energy. Some embodiments include a solar driven chemical reactor that has multiple reactor tubes. Some embodiments include one of 1) one or more apertures open to an atmosphere of the Earth or 2) one or more windows, to pass the concentrated solar energy into the solar thermal receiver. This energy impinges on the multiple reactor tubes and cavity walls of the receiver and transfer energy by solar radiation absorption and heat radiation, convection, and conduction. In this way, the energy causes reacting particles to drive the endothermic chemical reaction flowing in the reactor tubes. The design of the multiple reactor tubes and solar thermal receiver can be adapted per a solar flux profile to take advantage of variations in the concentrations of solar flux in the profile.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for a solar-driven chemical plant that may include a solar thermal receiver having a cavity with an inner wall, where the solar thermal receiver is aligned to absorb concentrated solar energy from one or more of 1) an array of heliostats, 2) solar concentrating dishes, and 3) any combination of the two. Some embodiments may include a solar-driven chemical reactor having multiple reactor tubes located inside the cavity of solar thermal receiver, wherein a chemical reaction driven by radiant heat occurs in the multiple reactor tubes, and wherein particles of biomass are gasified in the presence of a steam (H2O) carrier gas and methane (CH4) in a simultaneous steam reformation and steam biomass gasification reaction to produce reaction products that include hydrogen and carbon monoxide gas using the solar thermal energy from the absorbed concentrated solar energy in the multiple reactor tubes.

Abstract: This ICE combines the advantages of a four-stroke engine and the power output of a two-stroke and air engines. The air charged from the high pressure receiver (1) is charged the engine through the electric valve (4) independently of the fuel and enables, due to a great difference in pressures, fast performance of the process eliminate intake and compression strokes which results in a two-stroke cycle operation. Depending on the degree of air reduction, the mode of operation of atmospheric or turbocharged engine can be achieved. Replacing of the mechanical exhaust valve (6) with the electric valve (7a, 7b) enables switching from two-stroke to four stroke mode of operation and vice versa only by the computer 2 instruction. Location of the fuel nozzle (5) directly in the compression chamber and its operation independently from the electric air valve (4) enable use of the petrol, gas and oil.