초록 ▼

A solar powered kiln is provided, that is of relatively simple design and which efficiently uses solar energy. The kiln or solids reactor includes a stationary chamber with a rearward end which receives solid material to be reacted and a forward end through which reacted material is disposed of, and

A solar powered kiln is provided, that is of relatively simple design and which efficiently uses solar energy. The kiln or solids reactor includes a stationary chamber with a rearward end which receives solid material to be reacted and a forward end through which reacted material is disposed of, and a screw conveyor extending along the bottom of the chamber for slowly advancing the material between the chamber ends. Concentrated solar energy is directed to an aperture at the forward end of the chamber to heat the solid material moving along the bottom of the chamber. The solar energy can be reflected from a mirror facing at an upward incline, through the aperture and against a heat-absorbing material near the top of the chamber, which moves towards the rear of the chamber to distribute heat throughout the chamber. Pumps at the forward and rearward ends of the chamber pump heated sweep gas through the length of the chamber, while minimizing the flow of gas through an open aperture through which concentrated sunlight is received.

대표청구항 ▼

A solar powered solids reactor, comprising: walls forming a chamber having rearward and forward end portions, side portions, and a top and bottom, said forward end portion being at an angle with respect to vertical; means supporting said walls in a substantially fixed position so the chamber cannot

A solar powered solids reactor, comprising: walls forming a chamber having rearward and forward end portions, side portions, and a top and bottom, said forward end portion being at an angle with respect to vertical; means supporting said walls in a substantially fixed position so the chamber cannot continually rotate; means for feeding solid material which is to be thermally reacted into said rearward end portion of said chamber; means coupled to said forward end portion of said chamber for receiving solid material after it has been at least partially reacted in said chamber said chamber walls having a aperture which passes solar radiation into said forward end portion of said chamber; means for directing concentrated solar radiation through said aperture onto at least the top of said chamber; means located in said top of said chamber for receiving said solar radiation and for directing heat created by said solar radiation towards the bottom of said chamber; and linear conveyor means located adjacent the bottom of said chamber for moving material received at said rearward end portion of said chamber, in a layer, along the bottom of the chamber to said forward end portion, while maintaining a top of the layer exposed to receive said heat created by said solar radiation.