Solar, catalytic, hydrogen generation apparatus and method

An apparatus for generating an exothermically reactive composition comprising hydrogen, the apparatus comprising:

• a solar collector for collecting incident radiation in the electromagnetic spectrum to be redirected as redirected radiation;
• a generator comprising:
• an energy conversion system to convert redirected radiation to thermal energy;
• a reactor receiving the thermal energy to dissociate water at temperatures less than 1800 degrees centigrade, producing hydrogen and byproducts therefrom;
• and
• a separator to separate the hydrogen from the byproducts;
• and
• a processor to reformulate the hydrogen into a compound of hydrogen stable at substantially standard temperature and pressure and reactive to produce energy.

An apparatus for generating ammonia as a reactive hydrogen compound for subsequent exothermic reaction as a fuel, the apparatus comprising:

• a solar collector for collecting radiation in the electromagnetic spectrum incident thereon from the sun, concentrating the radiation, and redirecting the radiation to a converter;
• a generator comprising:
• the converter to convert radiation redirected thereto into thermal energy;
• a reactor comprising a first catalyst, the reactor receiving the thermal energy, introducing the thermal energy to water, directly dissociating the water thermally at a temperature substantially less than 1800 degrees centigrade, and producing hydrogen and byproducts therefrom;
• and
• a separator to filter non-electronically the hydrogen from the byproducts;
• and a processor to reformulate the hydrogen into ammonia liquid to be stable proximate substantially standard temperature and pressure.

An apparatus for generating a chemical having an exothermic reactivity, the apparatus comprising:

• a collector for collecting energy from a source thereof;
• a generator comprising:
• a conversion system to convert at least one first chemical species and energy into a second chemical species and first byproducts;
• a separation system to separate the second chemical species from the first byproducts;
• and
• a first processor to stabilize the second chemical species for use as a feedstock to produce energy and a second byproduct;
• and
• a second processor to provide energy to the first and second byproducts and regenerate the at least one first chemical species therefrom.

An apparatus for storing solar energy as chemical energy, the apparatus comprising:

• a source of water;
• a collector of solar radiation;
• a collector for converting solar radiation to thermal energy and introducing that thermal energy into the water;
• a frame containing an array of mirrors fixed in an orientation to reflect incoming radiation to the collector, and to maintain all the mirrors in the array in substantially rigid body relation to one another and to the frame and with respect to the collector;
• a drive system comprising motors for orienting the frame in order to optimize the received incoming radiation from the sun;
• a pivot system for aiming the array and associated frame with respect to the direction of incoming solar radiation;
• a base for mounting the pivot with respect to the earth;
• a reactor for providing the heated water and a catalyst in order to dissociate hydrogen and oxygen from one another;
• a dryer for removing water from the hydrogen;
• a separator for removing dissociated oxygen from the water;
• a drive mechanism for moving the hydrogen;
• and
• a storage system for storing the hydrogen.