INTERNALLY HEATED CONCENTRATED SOLAR POWER (CSP) THERMAL ABSORBER

摘要

A system and method are disclosed for internally heated concentrated solar power (CSP) thermal absorbers. The system and method involve an energy-generating device having at least one heating unit. At least one heating unit preheats the energy-generating device in order to expedite the startup time of the energy-generating device, thereby allowing for an increase in efficiency for the production of energy. In some embodiments, the energy-generating device is a CSP thermal absorber. The CSP thermal absorber comprises a housing, a thermal barrier, a light-transparent reservoir containing a liquid alkali metal, at least one alkali metal thermal-to-electric converter (AMTEC) cell, an artery return channel, and at least one heating unit. Each heating unit comprises a heating device and a metal fin. The metal fin is submerged into the liquid alkali metal, thereby allowing the heating device to heat the liquid alkali metal via the fin.

主权项

1. An internally heated energy generating system, comprising:
an energy generating device having at least one heating unit, wherein the at least one heating unit preheats the energy generating device in order to expedite the startup time of the energy generating device, thereby allowing for an increase in efficiency for the production of energy.