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Abstract

High-temperature solar trap collectors provide near ambient temperature solar entry surfaces and negligible thermal radiation losses by counterflowing low velocity transparent gases or liquids (fluids) to nullify internal thermal diffusion and radiative heat losses at the solar entry surface. Small steradian (sr) baffling plus wavelength-selective materials trap the entire 0.35 u to 2.7 u incoming solar spectrum and heat highly absorbing internal surfaces to high temperatures; only a small solid angle of the 2π steradians—on the order of 0.01 sr—of internal thermal radiation escapes. A nearly 100% efficient flat panel solar trapping embodiment exhibits alpha (α) absorption nearing 1.0 and radiant emission losses nearing 0.0 even at solar collection temperatures in excess of 1,000° K. Ultra high collection efficiency counterflow configurations are ideal for solar hot water, space heating, cooling, energy storage, and electric power generation applications.

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First Claim