Wood-based solar thermal devices, and methods for fabrication and use thereof
US11578894B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 23, 2020 |
| Grant date | Feb 14, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 23, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/44
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Solar thermal devices are formed from a block of wood, where the natural cell lumens of the wood form an interconnected network that transports fluid or material therein. The block of wood can be modified to increase absorption of solar radiation. Combining the solar absorption effects with the natural transport network can be used for various applications. In some embodiments, heating of the modified block of wood by insolation can be used to evaporate a fluid, for example, evaporating water for extraction, distillation, or desalination. In other embodiments, heating of the modified block of wood by insolation can be used to change transport properties of a material to allow it to be transported in the interconnected network, for example, heating crude oil to adsorb the oil within the block of wood.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.