Hybrid solar reactor and heat storage system

Abstract

A hybrid solar reactor and a heat storage system are disclosed. The hybrid solar reactor includes one or more heaters and a solar light guide assembly coupled to a shell of the reactor. The solar light guide assembly includes a solar light guide to direct solar energy to, for example, one or more reactor tubes within the shell.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A hybrid solar reactor comprising:
 a shell comprising an aperture;   insulating material within the shell, the insulating material comprising an interior surface;   one or more heaters within the shell; and   a solar light guide assembly mechanically coupled to the shell, the solar light guide assembly comprising a solar light guide that directs solar energy from outside the shell to the interior surface.   
     
     
         2 . The hybrid solar reactor of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more reactor tubes within the shell. 
     
     
         3 . The hybrid solar reactor of  claim 1 , wherein the solar light guide assembly comprises insulation. 
     
     
         4 . The hybrid solar reactor of  claim 3 , wherein the solar light guide and the insulation are selectably engaged with a portion of the shell. 
     
     
         5 . The hybrid solar reactor of  claim 1 , wherein the shell comprises a partial cylinder. 
     
     
         6 . The hybrid solar reactor of  claim 1 , wherein the reactor further comprises a window coupled to the solar light guide assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The hybrid solar reactor of  claim 1 , wherein the window is sealably coupled to the solar light guide assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The hybrid solar reactor of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more heaters comprise a resistive heater. 
     
     
         9 . The hybrid solar reactor of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more heaters comprise a combustion heater. 
     
     
         10 . The hybrid solar reactor of  claim 1 , wherein the insulating material comprises one or more of alumina, zirconia, silica, and graphite. 
     
     
         11 . The hybrid solar reactor of  claim 1 , wherein the insulating material comprises porous foam. 
     
     
         12 . The hybrid solar reactor of  claim 1 , wherein the reactor runs under vacuum conditions, and wherein the reactor material is not graphite. 
     
     
         13 . The hybrid solar reactor of  claim 1 , wherein an operating pressure of the reactor ranges from about 1 mbar to about 10 bar absolute pressure. 
     
     
         14 . The hybrid solar reactor of  claim 1 , wherein the reactor runs at ambient pressure. 
     
     
         15 . The hybrid solar reactor of  claim 1 , wherein the reactor tube comprises graphite. 
     
     
         16 . The hybrid solar reactor of  claim 1 , wherein the reactor tube comprises material selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide, alumina, zirconia, quartz, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The hybrid solar reactor of  claim 1 , wherein sunlight exits the solar light guide proximate a junction between the solar concentrator and the interior surface. 
     
     
         18 . The hybrid solar reactor of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the insulation and the reactor tube comprise graphite. 
     
     
         19 . A hybrid solar reactor comprising:
 a shell comprising an aperture;   insulating material within the shell, the insulating material comprising an interior surface;   one or more heaters within the shell; and   a solar light guide assembly mechanically coupled to the shell, the solar light guide assembly comprising a solar light guide that directs solar energy from outside the shell to the interior surface,   wherein one or more of the reactor tube and the insulating material comprise graphite and the reactor comprises a window sealably coupled to the solar light guide assembly.   
     
     
         20 . A system comprising the hybrid solar reactor of  claim 1  and one or more primary concentrators.