# US 2014/0190469 A1 · Systems and methods for selectively producing steam from solar collectors and heaters > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0190469 A1 - Document ID: US20140190469A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/148,647 - Filed: 2014-01-06 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-07 - Assignees: GlassPoint Solar, Inc. - Applicants: GlassPoint Solar, Inc. - Inventors: John Setel O'Donnell; Peter Emery von Behrens; Andras Nady - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140190469A1 ## CPC - F24D 11/003: {combined with solar energy} - F01K 1/00: Steam accumulators (use of accumulators in steam engine plants F01K3/00) - F22B 1/00: Methods of steam generation characterised by form of heating method - F22B 1/006: {using solar heat} - F22B 1/1815: {using the exhaust gases of gas-turbines} - F24S 50/00: Arrangements for controlling solar heat collectors - F24S 80/30: Arrangements for connecting the fluid circuits of solar collectors with each other or with other components, e.g. pipe connections; Fluid distributing means, e.g. headers - Y02B 10/20: Solar thermal - Y02E 10/40: Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers - F24D: DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR (using steam or condensate extracted or exhausted from steam engine plants for heating purposes F01K17/02) - F01K: STEAM ENGINE PLANTS; STEAM ACCUMULATORS; ENGINE PLANTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; ENGINES USING SPECIAL WORKING FLUIDS OR CYCLES (gas-turbine or jet-propulsion plants F02; nuclear power plants, engine arrangements therein G21D) - F22B: METHODS OF STEAM GENERATION; STEAM BOILERS - F24S: SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS (for producing mechanical power from solar energy F03G6/00) - Y02B: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract Systems and methods for selectively producing steam from solar collectors and heaters are disclosed. A method in accordance with a particular embodiment includes directing a flow of water to a solar collector, directing the flow of water to a gas-fired heater, and, as a result of heating the flow of water at the solar collector and the gas-fired heater, forming steam from the flow of water. The method further includes changing a sequence by which at least a portion of the flow passes through the solar collector and the gas-fired heater. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for heating water to steam, comprising: directing a flow of water to a solar collector; directing the flow of water to a gas-fired heater; as a result of heating the flow of water at the solar collector and the gas-fired heater, forming steam from the flow of water; and changing a sequence by which at least a portion of the flow passes through the solar collector and the gas-fired heater. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein directing the flow of water to a gas-fired heater includes directing the flow of water through only a single gas-fired heater. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein changing a sequence by which at least a portion of the flow passes through the solar collector and the gas-fired heater includes changing the sequence from a first sequence in which the flow passes through the solar collector and subsequently passes through the gas-fired heater to a second sequence in which the flow passes through the gas-fired heater and subsequently passes through the solar collector. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein changing a sequence by which at least a portion of the flow passes through the solar collector and the gas-fired heater includes changing the sequence from a second sequence in which the flow passes through the gas-fired heater and subsequently passes through the solar collector to a second sequence in which the flow passes through the solar collector and subsequently passes through the gas-fired heater. ### Claim 5 A steam production system, comprising: a water source; a water inlet coupled to the water source to receive water from the water source; a solar collector that includes a collector inlet, a collector outlet, and a plurality of solar concentrators positioned to heat water passing from the collector inlet to the collector outlet; a heater that includes a heater outlet, a fuel-fired burner, a burner exhaust, a first heater portion positioned in thermal communication with exhaust gases passing from the burner to the burner exhaust, and a second heater portion positioned in thermal communication with the exhaust gases passing from the burner to the burner exhaust, with the first portion positioned downstream of the second portion; a first valve positioned between the water inlet, the first heater portion and the collector inlet; a second valve positioned between the first valve, the first heater portion and the collector inlet; a third valve positioned between the first heater portion and the second heater portion; a fourth valve positioned between the collector outlet and the heater outlet; and a controller programmed with instructions that, when executed, direct the system to operate in each of: a first mode with the first, second and fourth valves open and the third valve closed to direct water through the first and second heater portions and bypass the solar collector; a second mode with the first and third valves open and the second and fourth valves closed to direct a first portion of water through the first heater portion, direct a second portion of water through the solar collector, and direct both the first and second portions of water through the second heater portion; a third mode with the first, third and fourth valves closed and the second valve open to direct water through the first heater portion, then the solar collector, and then the second heater portion; and a fourth mode with the first and third valves closed and the second and fourth valves open to direct a flow of water through the first heater portion and then the solar collector, direct a third portion of water exiting the solar collector through the second heater portion, and direct a fourth portion of water exiting the solar collector to bypass the second heater portion.