摘要 |
Thermochemical processing systems for the production of chemicals using solar (110) or other radiant energy as the heat source for chemical reactions and separations. Radiant energy receivers (310) operating in conjunction with concentrator systems (300), heat exchangers, chemical reactors and chemical separators. Systems and applications include the concentration of radiant energy in support of a moderate- and/or high-temperature, endothermic chemical reaction followed by downstream reactions and separations so that a chemical fuel is produced. Efforts are made to match concentrator types with need; for example, parabolic trough concentrators may be used to produce steam at low- to moderate-temperatures and parabolic dish concentrators may be used to drive moderate- to high-temperature chemical reactions such as methane reforming, and hybrid concentrators (400) may be used to concentrate radiant energy from multiple energy sources.
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