Process and apparatus for solar energy collection and retrieval

Abstract

For collection, retrieval, and utilization of solar energy, there is taught a process and an apparatus wherein a photochemical fluid, containing an isomerizable compound, is passed through a collector for exposure to solar radiation to transform the isomerizable compound to a higher energy level isomer. The irradiated fluid leaving the collector passes in heat exchange relationship with photochemical fluid entering the collector and then proceeds into a trigger reactor means. In the trigger reactor means, higher energy level isomer in the irradiated fluid is triggered, such as by heat and/or catalyst contact, to revert to an isomerizable composition of a lower energy level isomer with exothermic release of heat in excess of that requisite for maintaining conversion of higher energy level isomer to lower energy level isomer. The trigger reactor means is positioned in close proximity and/or desirably contiguous to or an integral portion of another heat exchanger through which is flowed a material adapted for storage at an elevated temperature to receive that exothermic heat excess being released upon the higher to lower energy level isomer conversion. The photochemical fluid, after passage through the trigger reactor means and the another heat exchange means, proceeds to and through the first exchange means for passage to the collector and repetition of the just-described procedural sequence. The storable material exiting from the another heat exchanger is of elevated temperature with a sensible heat content thereof available for usage, after storage immediately, in manners known to the art for utilizing heated material in useful applications such as residential hot-water supplying and residential heating and cooling.