Abstract: Use of solar energy for the production of synthesis gas from carbonaceous material. An aqueous dispersion of carbonaceous material is injected into a reactor in the form of a shower or a jet of droplets, and the droplets are allowed to sink inside the reactor across a high-temperature focal zone projected into the reactor by means of a system for the concentration of solar radiation. The residence time inside the reactor is adjustable by means of a countercurrent gas flow or by the injection of two or more discrete droplet jets in an impinging jet arrangement.

Abstract: An apparatus for a process for solar retorting of oil shale which comprises pyrolyzing fluidized ground oil shale particles by solar radiation in a retort, wherein said ground oil shale particles are provided in a state of continuous fluidization entrained in a gas and exposed to solar radiation focused through a transparent window, and retorted shale oil fines, gases, and shale oil are removed from the retort to separation and recovery.

Abstract: A bed (76, 202) of oil shale particles (10) are pyrolyzed in a retort (70, 200) by means of a heated carrier gas stream passing through a central conduit (54, 202) within the bed (76, 202) and then upwardly through a fixed bed (76) or fluidized bed (202) of the shale. The shale is subjected to pyrolysis and evolves kerogen liquid, thermally and pyrolyzed liquids and gases which enter the carrier gas to form a pyrolysis gas. The liquid pyrolysis oil is separated from the pyrolysis gas ion separator (94, 224) and a portion of the separated gas is recycled to a solar heat exchanger (50, 204) and heated to a temperature of at least 350.degree. C. before being fed to the central conduit (54, 202).

Abstract: Processes and apparatus for storing solar energy in synthetic fuels are disclosed. The disclosed processes include the steps of introducing steam and carbonaceous material such as coal, lignite, peat, solid organic wastes, or heavy oils into a molten gasification medium such as one or more molten salts and supplying sufficient solar heat to the gasification medium to maintain it in the molten state at a temperature at which the carbonaceous material and steam react to produce a synthesis gas product including a synthetic fuel gas or gases. Disclosed processes include the step of adding solar absorptivity enhancing dopant material to the gasification medium. Disclosed processes include the step of supplying solar heat to the gasification medium by directing concentrated solar radiation onto the gasification medium, rather than directing the solar radiation onto a separate body of material for indirectly heating the gasification medium.