| 摘要 |
A method of operating a solar furnace 24-hours a day comprises providing a solar furnace having a heatable pressure vessel 2 with a convoluted internal pathway running from a vessel inlet, where a heat transfer medium is introduced, to a vessel outlet, where the heat transfer medium leaves the pressure vessel with increased kinetic energy. The solar furnace is operated during daylight where the pressure vessel is heated by solar energy, and the energy imparted on the heat transfer medium drives the electrolysis of water to form hydrogen gas and oxygen gas. The solar furnace can be operated during periods of low light or darkness where the pressure vessel is at least partially heated by thermal energy produced by burning the hydrogen gas. A lens may be used to direct solar energy onto the pressure vessel. An array of furnaces, each comprising a pressure vessel and a lens, may be stacked on top of one another. |
