Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for wastewater treatment that yields zero liquid discharge (ZLD). These include pre-treating provided wastewater from any contaminated water source to remove heavy metals, ultra-filtering the pre-treated wastewater to remove suspended and colloidal solids, nano-filtering the ultra-filtered wastewater to yield treated water (with monovalent ions) and a concentrate, treating the concentrate to remove di- and tri-valent elements and other compounds from the concentrate, and to reduce a level of sulfates to a specified level which is above a solubility level of sulfates—to yield returned water, and sludge, mixing the returned water with the provided wastewater before or at the first treatment stage and/or with the pre-treated wastewater before the ultrafiltration, and removing residual water from the sludge to yield removed solids with ZLD. Advantageously, disclosed processes and systems are efficient, cheaper and more sustainable than prior art systems.

Abstract: Systems and methods for heating a non-combustion chemical reactor with thermal energy from a geothermal heat source are described. A working fluid is directed from the geothermal heat source to the chemical reactor to transfer heat. The working fluid can be circulated in a closed system so that it does not contact material at the geothermal heat source, or in an open system that allows the working fluid to intermix with material at the geothermal heat source. When intermixing with material at the geothermal heat source, the working fluid can transport donor substances at the geothermal heat source to the chemical reactor.

Abstract: The present invention in several embodiments is an apparatus for producing potable distilled water and solar-thermal energy, as co-products of the generation of steam from sea water by concentrated solar radiation. This apparatus would be comprised of an array an Fresnel lenses of the same or substantially the same focal length which preferably each have an area of approximately 1 square meter, which are oriented in the appropriate 3-dimensional plane in relation to the sun to collect the maximum amount of solar energy over the area of the lens; the lens array would follow or “track” the sun across the horizon in two dimensions. The lens array would focus the collected and concentrated solar radiation in one discrete area of a boiling of several square centimeters, in order to produce steam which is then used to create power and is condensed to provide distilled water.

Abstract: Systems and methods for solar steam generation are described. The systems and methods include moving at least one frame mounted optical focusing lens to track the sun in two axes and disposing a water boiler at a focus of each optical focusing lens. Raw water is pumped through an inlet at a bottom of each boiler and solar energy is concentrated, using each optical focusing lens, on each boiler, heating the raw water in each boiler and evaporating steam from the raw water. The steam exits each boiler, via a steam outlet pipe. Remaining salts and solids in each boiler are ground by rotation of salt grinding-cleaning gears. These ground salts and solids are drained and/or pumped out of each boiler from an exit in the bottom of each boiler.

Abstract: An integrative system of a concentrating solar power plant and desalination plant comprises a solar heat collector which generates superheated steam using solar heat, condensation type steam turbine power generation equipment which uses steam as a heat cycle medium, and multistage flash or multiple-effect desalination equipment. Superheated steam is generated by the solar heat collector and supplied to the power generation equipment to generate power and steam is extracted from a steam turbine middle stage of the power generation equipment and supplied to the desalination equipment. A steam supply line which bypasses the steam turbine and adjusts the pressure and temperature of steam from the solar heat collector and supplies the steam to the desalination equipment is provided.

Abstract: A system reclaiming contaminated water includes a heat exchanger that receives the contaminated water and converts at least a portion of the contaminated water into steam and collects at least a portion of the contaminants within the heat exchanger. A thermal transfer fluid is heated by a heat exchanger is communication with a heat source. The heated fluid is circulated through the heat exchanger to heat the contaminated water. A steam engine is coupled to a generator, the steam engine receives the steam from the heat exchanger to drive the generator to provide power for the system. Steam exhausted from the steam engine is supplied to supplemental heat loads and then condensed in a modular condensing system. The collected contaminants are directed to an evaporation device to remove residual liquid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a grid-connected power plant, having the following systems which are adjusted in their capacitance to each other: a) a wind power plant, water power plant, solar-thermal system and/or photovoltaic system for the production of electrical energy for operating the systems b) through f); b) a CO2 absorption system for the absorption of atmospheric CO2; c) a CO2 desorption system for the desorption of the CO2 gained in b); d) an electrochemical or solar-thermal H2 synthesis system for the operating system e); e) a synthesis system selected from the group catalytic methanol synthesis, catalytic DME synthesis, catalytic methane synthesis; f) a storage system selected from the group methanol storage system, DME storage system, methane storage system. The invention also relates to the use of such a power plant and methods for the operation of such a power plant.

Abstract: In order to provide a method of operating a solar thermal power plant, in which a heat transfer medium is evaporated endothermally by solar radiation in an evaporator section, wherein the evaporator section comprises a plurality of evaporator branches, among which the heat transfer medium is distributed, in which method non-uniform radiation conditions of the evaporator section may be effectively taken into consideration, it is provided that the mass flow distribution at the evaporator section is controlled, wherein the mass flows are adjusted individually at all or a majority of the evaporator branches and a controlled variable is a variable characterizing a spatial energy rise in a respective evaporator branch in a region of the evaporator branch where the heat transfer medium has not yet evaporated.

Abstract: A method and system for managing heat energy in a fluid purification system is provided. Initially, air is compressed using one or more compressors to obtain a compressed hot air. Then one or more fluids are purified using the heat energy associated with the compressed hot air in one or more fluid purification units thereby releasing a compressed cooled air. One or more hot purified fluids are stored in one or more fluid storage tanks obtained in response to the purification of the one or more fluids. Thereafter, the compressed cooled air is heated using a heat energy associated with the one or more hot purified fluids to obtain a heated compressed air. Subsequently, one or more turbines are operated using heat energy associated with the heated compressed air to obtain an expanded cooled air. The expanded cooled air is utilized for cooling.

Abstract: An improved solar concentrating system (100) uses a two-stage arrangement of mirrors wherein the rays of the sun are reflected and concentrated to a point focus. The solar concentrator (100) may be used to increase the temperature of a substance such as metal, for use in a variety of applications including the melting of metals in a foundry furnace. The solar concentrating system (100) comprises at least two single-curved parabolic mirrors (10, 20) connected in an operable arrangement. The rays of the sun are reflected from a first single-curved parabolic mirror (10) to a second single-curved parabolic mirror (20). The plane of symmetry of the second single-curved parabolic mirror is arranged substantially orthogonal to the plane of symmetry of the first single-curved parabolic mirror thereby concentrating the rays of the sun to a point focus.

Abstract: A solar thermal system for the partial desalination of sea water and for generating electricity includes a mass of black top material such as asphalt or the like used in paving roadways, parking lots and the like. The system also includes a network of interconnected conductive conduits such as a serpentine array of copper tubing and a pump for pumping seawater through the copper tubing that is in contact with or surrounded by the black top or asphalt portion of a roadway. The asphalt layer acts as a black body for absorbing heat from the sun and converts solar energy to thermal energy.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a system and a method for planning the operation of, monitoring processes in, simulating, and/or optimizing a technical installation comprising several units that can be combined with each other. Said system comprises at least one process planning module, at least one process simulation module, and at least one process optimization module. Components for modeling, simulating, and optimizing the technical installation are stored in said modules. The interrelated modules cooperate with a data management layer via at least one interface, said data management layer making available actual measured and/or historical process data for determining parameters and/or operational data for the modules in order to plan operations as well as simulate and optimize processes. The parameters and/or operational data determined in the modules can be fed to the data management layer for further processing by taking into account the stored components.

Abstract: A horizontal structure defines an expansive floating solar pond underlain by an open-ended chamber, and a distributed network of heat engines produce electricity based on the temperature differential between the heated solar pond water and ambient seawater. Each heat engine includes a heat exchanger disposed near the bottom of the solar pond, a working fluid boiler at least partially submerged in the solar pond, a turbine-generator, and a working vapor condenser disposed under the solar pond in the open-ended chamber. A heat exchange fluid is circulated through the heat exchanger and the boiler to vaporize working fluid for powering the turbine-generator, and cold ambient seawater is passed through the condenser to condense working vapor downstream of the turbine-generator. Warmed seawater from the condenser is exhausted into the open-ended chamber, where it is naturally retained by convection to minimize heat transfer from the solar pond to the ambient seawater.

Abstract: A solar desalination system for creation of desalinated water from seawater that produces electricity includes: a) a solar furnace unit including a vessel for receiving and evaporating seawater to create desalinated steam and a solar energy concentrator positioned adjacent the vessel to concentrate solar energy to the vessel; b) input for feeding seawater to the vessel; c) brine output for removal of brine water bottoms from the vessel; d) a riser pipe connected at its bottom to the vessel and extending upwardly from for transporting steam from the vessel to a higher elevation electric power-producing steam turbine generator; f) a drop pipe having a top and a bottom, and being connected at its tops to the steam turbine generator for removal of desalinated water from the steam turbine generator; g) a hydroturbine generator connected to the bottom of the drop pipe for production of electric power with desalinated water from the steam turbine generator; and, h) egress for removal of desalinated water from the hy

Abstract: The evaporative desalination system removes salt and contaminants from brine or salt water to produce purified potable water. The evaporative desalination system includes an inclined housing having a raised upper end and a lower end. An upper wall of the inclined housing is formed from an optically transparent material, such as glass. A plurality of stepped evaporator trays are mounted within the inclined housing, and a water collection tray is disposed within the inclined housing adjacent the lower end. Ambient light is transmitted through the optically transparent upper wall, causing the salt water contained within the plurality of stepped evaporator trays to evaporate. Evaporated water vapor rises from each evaporator tray to form a layer of condensed pure water on the inner surface of the upper wall. The condensed pure water drips toward the lower end of the inclined housing to collect in the water collection tray.

Abstract: A system reclaiming contaminated water includes a heat exchanger that receives the contaminated water and converts at least a portion of the contaminated water into steam and collects at least a portion of the contaminants within the heat exchanger. A thermal transfer fluid is heated by a heat exchanger is communication with a heat source. The heated fluid is circulated through the heat exchanger to heat the contaminated water. A steam engine is coupled to a generator, the steam engine receives the steam from the heat exchanger to drive the generator to provide power for the system. Steam exhausted from the steam engine is supplied to supplemental heat loads and then condensed in a modular condensing system. The collected contaminants are directed to an evaporation device to remove residual liquid.

Abstract: A solar energy conversion and storage apparatus floats on a body of water and confines and stores a large quantity of solar-heated water for producing electricity with a closed-cycle heat engine. An expansive horizontal structure parallel to the surface of the water confines one or more horizontal layers of water, a distributed array of heat transfer structures gathers solar energy and imparts it to the confined water, and one or more heat engines produce electricity utilizing the temperature differential between the confined water and ambient water. The heat transfer structures can be configured to transfer solar energy to the confined water using a convective process; and some or all of the heat transfer structures can be configured to transfer solar energy to the stored water using a distillation process that optionally produces distilled water as a by-product.

Abstract: A desalinization plant and process utilizes solar radiation to produce steam from seawater which is then used to generate freshwater and electricity.

Abstract: A solar desalination system for creation of desalinated water from seawater that produces electricity includes: a) a solar furnace unit including a vessel for receiving and evaporating seawater to create desalinated steam and a solar energy concentrator positioned adjacent the vessel to concentrate solar energy to the vessel; b) input for feeding seawater to the vessel; c) brine output for removal of brine water bottoms from the vessel; d) a riser pipe connected at its bottom to the vessel and extending upwardly from for transporting steam from the vessel to a higher elevation electric power-producing steam turbine generator; f) a drop pipe having a top and a bottom, and being connected at its tops to the steam turbine generator for removal of desalinated water from the steam turbine generator; g) a hydroturbine generator connected to the bottom of the drop pipe for production of electric power with desalinated water from the steam turbine generator; and, h) egress for removal of desalinated water from the hy

Abstract: A self sustaining desalination system includes a chamber having a transparent inclined cover and a transparent bottom for receiving seawater or the like. The system includes a channel for conveying seawater to the chamber and a receptacle for receiving distillate at the base of the cover. The seawater is vaporized by solar energy passing through the incline cover and reflected up through the transparent bottom. A portion of the vaporized water condenses on the cooled inside cover and runs down into the receptacle. A second portion of the vaporized water is fed to the heat exchanger and condensed therein. In addition, a plurality of such systems are combined with a plurality of basic units each of which includes a wind turbine and an array of solar panels in a park like setting to provide electricity, drinking water and irrigation water for a small community.

Abstract: A solar cell floats over a body of saline water. A submerged fresh water collection system underlies the cell. A partial vacuum is created in the solar cell for drawing water vapor from the cell to the collection system. Water vapor is condensed in a condenser disposed between the cell and the collection system. Heat generated by the condensation of water vapor is utilized to heat the salt water, which rises upwardly to replace the salt water vaporized in the cell. The fresh water from the fresh water collection system is routed under the cell such that it becomes thermally enriched. The thermally enriched fresh water is provided to a power generator to improve efficiency.

Abstract: An installation for producing solar thermal energy includes a floating thermal storage water heater provided with an absorber layer on the inside thereof and with transparent thermal insulation on the upper surface thereof. Solar rays penetrate the transparent thermal insulation and are converted into heat in the absorber layer. Heat is used to warm the water in the thermal storage water heater. The heated water can be removed in the form of a heat-carrying fluid and can, for instance, be used to provide electricity and drinking water using a steam generator, a turbo group and a condenser. Water that flows back out of the steam generator can initially be directed into a warm water recirculation heater in order to minimize heat loss. The thermal storage water heater is embedded in the warm water recirculation heater. Preferably, both storage devices are designed in such a way that their volumes can be modified.

Abstract: A vending apparatus is provided having a vending machine powered by a solar photovoltaic cell array of panels. The panels are secured in a horizontal position to a base and mounted to a top of the vending machine for converting solar energy to electrical energy for powering the vending apparatus.