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A solar tower is a device that converts solar energy (heat from the sun) into electricity. Solar towers are suitable for large-scale power generation.

The Basic Component Parts of a Solar Tower Energy Plant

* Solar Tower - The solar tower is simply a large structure with a boiler (a tank used to heat liquids) at the top. The boiler collects the heat from the sun. It is also referred to as the “central tower” or “power tower”.

* Heliostats - These are movable mirrors that track the sun and reflect the sunlight at the top of the solar tower where the heat is collected. These mirrors move as the sun moves, so as to continuously reflect maximum sunlight toward the tower.

* Heat Transfer Fluid - We use the term “heat transfer fluid” because not all solar towers use the same. Early solar towers used water to collect the heat from the sun. Some solar towers use liquid sodium. Whichever liquid is used, it is referred to as “heat transfer fluid.”

* Heat Storage - Because we still want to generate energy at night after the sun is gone, newer solar towers have methods of storing heat so that it can be used during the night to continue generating electricity.

* Steam Generator - As stated earlier, liquid sodium is now used to collect the heat, and the liquid sodium is then used to generate steam.

* Steam Turbine - This is a generator that uses steam to generate electrical power. This is the same set-up as is used in a conventional power plant.

How Does a Solar Tower Work?

Computer controlled mirrors (called heliostats) follow the sun, adjusting their position as the sun moves, and reflect sunlight toward the top of the solar tower, where a heat collector tank is located. Of course, more than one heliostat is needed, so an arrangement of hundreds or even thousands of heliostats is used.

The combined reflected sunlight of these heliostats can produce temperatures as high as 550 degrees, Celsius at their focal point.

Thus, the liquid inside the boiler is rapidly heated and is then pumped downward into storage tanks, or is pumped directly into to a heat exchanger where it is used to make steam.

The steam produced by the heat exchanger is then led through a steam turbine, which uses the steam to generate electricity.

As an interesting note, liquid sodium can be used as a heat transfer/storage liquid, because of its ability to hold and store heat efficiently. Large storage tanks can be used to hold the heated liquid sodium. The stored “heat” can then be used at night, so as to continue generating steam which is used to generate electricity.

Currently, there are two solar towers in operation using the above design. The 64 MW Nevada Solar One and 11 MW PS10 solar power tower in Spain.

Solar tower energy is categorized as CSP (concentrated solar power) technology. There are several other power plant designs which use concentrated solar power technology. This includes the parabolic trough and the solar dish engine.

Learn more about Solar Power, Alternative Energy, and broad-scale solutions for Solar Power

Posted under Electronics

Solar energy consists of the light and heat emitted by the sun, in the form of electromagnetic radiation.

With today’s technology, we are able to capture this radiation and turn it into usable forms of solar energy - such as heating or electricity.

Although one could go into technical dissertations on the subject of electromagnetic radiation, how it is converted into solar energy, and the exact qualities of its electromagnetic rays, this is not something the average person needs or wants to know.

But in order to be able to benefit from the use of solar energy, there are a few facts you should know. Knowing these facts can assist you to make sound decisions, when looking at the use of solar power as a clean energy source for your home, RV, or whatever the case may be.

Environmental Facts about Solar Energy

All life on earth is dependent upon solar energy. In fact, without solar energy, there would be no life at all. Even the lowest life forms, such as plankton and microbes, need solar energy (in the form of sunlight) in order to survive.

Solar energy is completely environmental friendly, producing absolutely no carbon emissions or other harmful byproducts whatsoever.

Solar energy can be used successfully and cost-effectively just about anywhere on the planet. You do not need to live in a tropical or desert climate in order to benefit from the use of solar energy. Solar power has been used successfully in many cold climates and even in the polar regions.

Every area of the United States of America receives enough sunlight to benefit from and make use of solar energy and solar technology.

The cheapest and most effective method of utilizing solar energy in your home is currently the use of solar water heating systems. In fact, for over one hundred years, solar water heating systems have been commercially available in the United States.

Solar energy can be used for heating homes effectively in cold climates, as well as in warm climates. In fact, solar heating has been in use many cold-climate northern European countries for several decades now.

Solar energy technology has advanced to the point where it can be now be a viable and cost-effective replacement for regular grid-electricity.

Solar energy is rapidly increasing in popularity - so much so that the demand for solar-powered gadgets is currently greater than the supply.

Facts about Solar Energy Usage

Solar energy can be used to provide electricity, heating and hot water for homes.

Solar energy can also be used to heat swimming pools. In fact, many pools in Scandinavia and Europe are heated with solar energy.

Solar Energy can be used to power vehicles, such as solar powered cars, and even a solar powered airplanes. NASA has successfully designed, built, and tested an airplane which is powered wholly by solar energy.

A few examples are: solar battery chargers, solar radios, solar flashlights, solar calculators, solar-powered attic fans, solar-powered backpacks (which recharge batteries for small devices), hybrid solar chargers (for cell phones, satellite phones, MP3 players, GPS devices, cameras, and more), solar-powered garden lights … and much, much more.

by Anna

For further information and explanations about solar energy and how you can use it to save money and protect the environment, please visit Important Facts about Solar Energy, Solar Battery Chargers, and Solar Power.

Posted under Electronics

Industrial Ovens are used in many different applications, including chemical processing, food production, and also in the electronics industry, where circuit boards are run through a conveyor oven to attach surface mount components.

Here are some of the more common Industrial Ovens that you may come across:

Industrial Ovens for Curing - Designed to cause a chemical reaction in a substance once a specific temperature is reached. Powder coating is one common curing oven use.

Industrial Ovens.

Industrial Ovens for Drying - Designed to remove moisture. Typical applications are pre-treating and painting. Such ovens are also sometimes known as furnaces, though they do not reach the same high temperatures as are used in ceramic kilns.

Industrial Ovens for Baking - Combines the function of curing and drying ovens.

Batch Industrial Ovens - Also called cabinet or Walk-in/Truck-in ovens, batch ovens allow for curing, baking or drying in little batches using wheeled racks, carts or trucks. Ovens such as this are often found in supermarkets which have large-volume bakeries.

Industrial Ovens.

Conveyor or Continuous Industrial Ovens - Typically part of an automatic conveyor processing system, conveyor ovens allow for higher volume processing.

Oven Designed for Clean Room Applications - Designed for applications requiring a cleanroom, such as semiconductor manufacturing or biotechnology processes.

Ovens Designed for Inert Gas Applications - Designed for applications that require an inert environment whilst heating to prevent oxidation of process.

Ovens Designed to be Used in a Laboratory - Typically any of he above types of ovens, but normally bench-top and designed for laboratory use.

Ovens which include a vacuum capability - Ovens in which a vacuum can be created. Typically used for potting and certain types of drying processes.

Items to consider when purchasing an Industrial Oven are:

Type of Temperature Controller - Single Setpoint or Programmable

Airflow - Horizontal or Vertical. Forced Convection or Gravity.

Temperature Range

Power Available for the oven - Normally laboratory ovens run on 120V whilst larger ovens will require 208,230,480V 1PH or 3PH.

Brands - There are quite a number of Industrial Oven manufacturers - Some of the more popular Brands are:

Blue M
Despatch
Grieve
Yamato
CascadeTek
Hotpack
Precision Quincy
Gruenberg

A Certified Refurbished Industrial Oven is a good alternative to a brand new unit provided it is purchased from a reputable company. LR Environmental Equipment Co. Inc. has offered Certified Refurbished Industrial Ovens for Over 40 Years and is the largest dealer of this type in the World. They also offer a range of Brand New Industrial Ovens, including low cost, high quality Laboratory Ovens. Their Certified Used Refurbished Ovens are sold with a Warranty and 100% Money Back Guarantee should

you not be completely satisfied.

Industrial Ovens.

They can be contacted at 800-574-2748 or WWW.LRE.COM

Posted under Electronics