Low pressure solar power systems, and related components, methods and uses thereof

Abstract

Concentrated solar power and heating systems using solar receivers, and related devices and methods, are generally described.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 a solar receiver constructed and arranged to heat a gas at a pressure up to 2 atmospheres;   a thermal storage system fluidically connected to the solar receiver;   a heat exchange system fluidically connected to the solar receiver, constructed and arranged to transfer thermal energy from the gas heated by the solar receiver to a second fluid;   a pressure control blower fluidically connected downstream from the heat exchange system;   wherein the system is configured so that flow from the solar receiver comprising the gas heated by the solar receiver can be switched between the thermal storage system and the heat exchange system.   
     
     
         2 . A method comprising:
 heating a gas at a pressure up to 2 atmospheres within a solar receiver;   transporting the gas from the solar receiver to a thermal storage system fluidically connected to the solar receiver;   switching a destination of flow of the gas from the solar receiver such that the gas from the solar receiver is transported to a heat exchange system fluidically connected to the solar receiver, wherein the heat exchange system is constructed and arranged to transfer thermal energy from the gas heated by the solar receiver to a second fluid; and   transporting the second fluid from the heat exchange system through a pressure control blower fluidically connected downstream from the heat exchange system.   
     
     
         3 . A method comprising:
 heating a gas at a pressure of up to 2 atmospheres within a solar receiver;   transporting the gas from the solar receiver to a heat exchange system fluidically connected to the solar receiver, wherein the heat exchange system is constructed and arranged to transfer thermal energy from the gas heated by the solar receiver to a second fluid;   transporting the second fluid from the heat exchange system through a pressure control blower fluidically connected downstream from the heat exchange system; and   switching a destination of flow of the gas from the solar receiver such that the gas from the solar receiver is transported to a thermal storage system fluidically connected to the solar receiver.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchange system comprises a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger connected in series. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein an inlet of the first heat exchanger is fluidically connected to the solar receiver and an outlet of the first heat exchanger is fluidically connected to an inlet of the second heat exchanger. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the first heat exchanger is configured to exchange heat at a temperature between 800° C. and 1250° C. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein at least one of the heat exchangers is configured to operate over a temperature range between 1500° F. (816° C.) and 2500° F. (1371° C.). 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the first heat exchanger is configured to operate over a temperature range between 1000° F. (537° C.) and 1800° F. (932° C.). 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the second heat exchanger is configured to operate over a temperature range between 400° F. (204° C.) and 1100° F. (593° C.). 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a heat recovery system fluidically connected to an outlet of the heat exchange system. 
     
     
         11 . The system of claim  16 , wherein the heat recovery system comprises:
 a boiler configured to produce steam or a heated fluid;   an absorption chiller configured to produce a cooled fluid; and/or   a heater.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchange system comprises a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger connected in series, and wherein the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are of different types and/or are constructed of different materials. 
     
     
         13 . A heat storage and recovery system comprising:
 a source of a first gas at a first pressure of less than or equal to 2 atmospheres;   a thermal storage system fluidically connected to the source of the first gas;   a heat exchange system fluidically connected to the source of the first gas, constructed and arranged to transfer thermal energy from the first gas to a second gas; and   a pressure control blower fluidically connected downstream from the heat exchange system and configured and positioned to receive the first gas from the heat exchange system;   wherein the heat storage and recovery system is configured so that flow from the source of the first gas can be switched between the thermal storage system and the heat exchange system.