Process and method of making space-solar fuels and other chemicals
OwnerJohn Carlton Mankins, Robert Stottle Wegenginventors
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Abstract
Processes and methods of making fuels and other chemicals, in conjunction with electricity production, using energy from a powerbeam (120) from an orbiting satellite (100), radiant energy receivers (310) and thermochemical process systems. Includes methods of directing the powerbeam so that, when solar energy 110) is available to drive the concentrators (170), the powerbeam is chiefly focused on rectenna structures (220) for the production of electricity, and then is reconfigured so that it powers the concentrator structures when solar energy is not available.
Claims21
A method of making a chemical comprising
- a. directing a powerbeam from a transmitter into a concentrator,
- b. intensifying said powerbeam in said concentrator,
- c. absorbing said powerbeam in a receiver,
- d. transporting the absorbed energy of said powerbeam by thermal conduction into a chemical reactor, and
- e. passing a reactant into said chemical reactor and accomplishing an endothermic chemical reaction.
A process of making a chemical comprising
- a. intercepting and intensifying radiant energy,
- b. absorbing said radiant energy into a receiver, said receiver comprising an endothermic reactor, and
- c. passing a reactant into said endothermic reactor and accomplishing a thermochemical reaction
- whereby the product of said endothermic reactor has a greater chemical energy value than said reactant.
A process of making a chemical comprising
- a. preheating a reactant using radiant energy from a first source,
- b. intensifying additional radiant energy from a second source and using it to heat an endothermic microchannel reactor to a temperature of at least 500 C and
- c. passing a reactant through said microchannel reactor and performing a thermochemical reaction.
The process of making a chemical of claim 21 further comprising passing the products of said endothermic microchannel reactor reaction through a second chemical reactor, producing a fuel or other chemical.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.