A Method to Generate Superheated Steam under Normal Sunlight

A solar vapor generator includes an absorber to absorb sunlight and an emitter, in thermal communication with the absorber, to radiatively evaporate a liquid under less than 1 sun illumination and without pressurization. The emitter is physically separated from the liquid, substantially reducing fouling of the emitter. The absorber and the emitter may also be heated to temperatures higher than the boiling point of the liquid and may thus may be used to further superheat the vapor. Solar vapor generation can provide the basis for many sustainable desalination, sanitization, and process heating technologies.

Researchers

Svetlana Boriskina / George Ni / Thomas Cooper / Yi Huang / Yoichiro Tsurimaki / Seyed Hadi Zandavi / Gang Chen

Departments: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Plasma Science and Fusion Center
Technology Areas: Energy & Distribution: Photovoltaics / Environmental Engineering: Sustainability & Recycling
Impact Areas: Sustainable Future

  • methods, apparatus and systems for generating and superheating vapor under sunlight
    United States of America | Granted | 10,976,076

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