MIT develops a new structure that converts 85% of solar energy into steam

A power generation method that collects sunlight and rotates a steam turbine is "Concentrated solar thermal power generationHowever, in order to collect the sunlight of the intensity required to generate steam,Solar furnaceIs required.MITThe Faculty of Mechanical Engineering focused on the generation of such steam and developed a structure that can convert 85% of solar energy into steam without applying large-scale facilities or expensive cost.

Steam from the sun | MIT News Office
http://newsoffice.mit.edu/2014/new-spongelike-structure-converts-solar-energy-into-steam-0721

The new solar vapor generation system developed by MIT is cylindrical and has a dual layer inside. The upper layer is made of porous graphite with microwave applied, the lower layer is carbon foam which plays the role of insulator, floating on water. When sunlight is hit, hot spots are formed in the graphite layer, and water is drawn up from the pores in the graphite, so that the water is warmed up into steam. The stronger the sunlight, the more steam is produced.

This new structure is a relatively low temperature sunlight, a simple mechanism that can generate steam with little missing heat, only floating the circular structure on water. Since there is no need to combine large facilities and expensive solar furnaces that concentrate sunlight,Solar thermal power generationIt is expected to make remarkable improvements.

ByJoseph Giral

When the research team conducted experiments with sunlight intensity of normal sunny days, we succeeded in generating ten steams with 85% conversion efficiency. Mr. Hadi Ghasemi, researcher at the MIT Mechanical Engineering Department, explains, "It is possible to further increase efficiency depending on the material used for the structure."


Since this structure can be made of relatively inexpensive materials and can be downsized, it can be applied to various steam engines such as desalination devices and hygiene systems that sterilize. Mr. Ghasemi said, "In the remote areas where the sun is the only energy source, generation of steam by sunlight will be very beneficial," he said.