Solar Power Tower with Direct Absorption of Solar Radiation in a Salt Bath with Nanoparticles

Light from the collecting mirrors is reflected by mirrors in the solar power tower to an insulated salt-filled tank on or under the ground. The focused light strikes a transparent fluoride or chloride salt bath containing nanoparticles. Fluoride and chloride can operate at temperatures significantly above 10000C. Most of the light enters the molten salt and is absorbed by nanoparticles within the salt. The use of nanoparticles allows controlled bulk heat absorption rather than heat absorption on a heat transfer surface. The salt bath both collects and stores the energy. The system is designed to absorb solar radiation through a volume of a molten ternary eutectic salt. Light from the collecting mirrors is reflected to an insulated salt-filled tank on or under the ground. The focused light strikes a transparent fluoride or chloride salt bath containing nanoparticles. Fluoride and chloride can operate at temperatures significantly above 10000C. Most of the light enters the molten salt and is absorbed by nanoparticles within the salt. The use of nanoparticles allows controlled bulk heat absorption rather than heat absorption on a heat transfer surface. The salt bath both collects and stores the energy. The system efficiently absorbs solar radiation through the volume of molten salt and retains the energy for gradual release into a heat exchange system. The typical operating temperature of the device is 8000C to 10000C. The device can be combined with solar collection apparatus and heat exchanging mechanisms.efficiency can be mapped as a function of the receiver location and optimal sites found.