Solar receiver

A concentrated solar power station comprising:

• one or more mirrors, lenses, heliostats and/or reflectors;
• and
• a receiving mast comprising a solar receiver comprising:
• a heat-absorbing solid body comprising a material with a melting point in excess of 1500° C., wherein the heat-absorbing solid body is a rotor and is frustoconical in shape, wherein the heat-absorbing solid body is hollow with an open end and an interior of the heat-absorbing solid body that is defined by an inner surface of the heat-absorbing solid body that is a truncated cone and faces the interior;
• a light focuser having a structure to focus light through the open end of the heat-absorbing solid body and onto the inner surface of the heat-absorbing solid body;
• and
• a heat exchanger cowl arranged to provide a flow of working fluid over the heat-absorbing solid body;
• wherein the light from the light focuser impinges over time on portions of the inner surface of the heat-absorbing solid body and heats the heat-absorbing solid body which in turn heats the working fluid proximate to the heat-absorbing solid body;
• and
• wherein the heat-absorbing solid body is movable relative to the heat exchanger cowl, wherein the inner surface of the heat-absorbing solid body rotates about an axis, and, after one revolution of the inner surface about the axis, the portions of the inner surface define a continuous portion that surrounds the axis and is exposed to the light.

A method for converting light into electrical energy, comprising:

• a) providing a solar receiver comprising:
• a heat-absorbing solid body comprising a material with a melting point in excess of 1500° C., wherein the heat-absorbing solid body is a rotor and is frustoconical in shape, wherein the heat-absorbing solid body is hollow with an open end and an interior of the heat-absorbing solid body that is defined by an inner surface of the heat-absorbing solid body that is a truncated cone and faces the interior;
• a light focuser having a structure to focus light through the open end of the heat-absorbing solid body and onto the inner surface of the heat-absorbing solid body;
• and
• a heat exchanger cowl arranged to provide a flow of working fluid over the heat-absorbing solid body;
• wherein the light from the light focuser impinges over time on portions of the inner surface of the heat-absorbing solid body and heats the heat-absorbing solid body which in turn heats the working fluid proximate to the heat-absorbing solid body;
• and
• wherein the heat-absorbing solid body is movable relative to the heat exchanger cowl, wherein the inner surface of the heat-absorbing solid body rotates about an axis, and, after one revolution of the inner surface about the axis, the portions of the inner surface define a continuous portion that surrounds the axis and is exposed to the light;
• b) heating the solar receiver, wherein the heating comprises shining light onto one or more surfaces of the heat-absorbing solid body of the solar receiver;
• c) moving the heat-absorbing solid body from a first position to a second position;
• d) exchanging heat between the heat-absorbing solid body and the working fluid;
• and
• e) converting heat energy of the working fluid into electrical energy.