WO2008081209A2

WO2008081209A2 - Solar chimney

Info

Publication number: WO2008081209A2
Application number: PCT/GB2008/050140
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pitaya Yangpichit
Original assignee: Barker, Rosemary
Priority date: 2007-01-03
Filing date: 2008-02-29
Publication date: 2008-07-10
Also published as: AU2008200916B2; WO2008081209A3; AU2008200916A1; EP2386046A2

Abstract

A solar chimney (10) includes a solar collector (9,39,73,119) which heats air in the chimney, producing updrafts which can be harnessed to perform useful work. The solar collector may be located inside or outside the chimney (10). The device may include a reservoir (201) for storing a heat transfer fluid, thus enabling the device to be used during both day and night. The solar chimney (10) may be equipped with both internal (9,39) and external (73,119) solar collectors, operating in parallel. The solar chimney (10) may also be equipped with multiple external solar collectors, connected in parallel to a reservoir.

Description

SOLAR CHIMNEY

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the production of electric power, or other useful work, from solar energy.

In a solar chimney, energy from the sun heats the air in an elongated, enclosed vertical structure, so as to create an updraft in the structure. The moving air can then be used to drive a turbine to produce electric power, or it can be made to perform other useful work. A solar chimney has the advantage that it does not depend on the presence of wind, but requires only sunlight as the source of energy.

Examples of solar chimneys, as shown in the prior art, are given in U.S. Patent Nos. 3.979,597, 4,275.309, 4,331,042, 4,433,544, 5,381.048. 6.016.015, 6.089,021, 6,772,593, and 7,026,723, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein.

The present invention provides improvements over the solar chimneys of the prior art. The solar chimney of the present invention concentrates incident solar radiation into a high-intensity beam which can be directed or focused onto a collector. In one embodiment, the system of the present invention can be used to generate power even during nighttime. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first embodiment, the solar chimney of the present invention comprises a solar collector located within the chimney. Solar radiation from outside the chimney is concentrated by a reflector, or its equivalent, and passes through an aperture in the chimney wall. The aperture may include a lens, or the lens may be omitted. The concentrated solar radiation impinges on a collector which distributes absorbed heat to a heat exchanger, also located within the chimney. Air in the chimney is heated by convection, due to the temperature difference between the heat exchanger and the surrounding air. The heating of the air produces an updraft in the chimney. The updraft comprises a stream of moving air which can be used to perform useful work.

The heat exchanger could be a fixed structure, or it could comprise a plurality of vanes which rotate relative to the chimney, either under the power of a motor, or by free rotation under the influence of the updrafts in the chimney.

In another embodiment, the solar collector is located outside the chimney, while the heat exchanger is located inside the chimney. Heat absorbed by the collector is conveyed to the heat exchanger, either with a solid heat conductor, or by a heat transfer fluid.

In another embodiment, the solar chimney includes a reservoir having two or more compartments, the system being usable during both day and night. During the day, heat transfer fluid is pumped from the reservoir, and into a solar collector, where the fluid absorbs heat from solar radiation. The heated fluid is then conveyed into a heat exchanger located within a chimney. The fluid, which has given up some of its heat to the heat exchanger, but which is still relatively hot, is returned to the reservoir, and is stored in a different compartment from the one from which the fluid was initially withdrawn. During the night, heat transfer fluid is conveyed directly from the reservoir into the heat exchanger in the chimney. Thus, an updraft in the chimney can be produced even during the night. The compartments of the reservoir are defined by one or more movable partitions which provide mechanical and thermal separation between compartments.

In another embodiment, the solar chimney may include both an internal solar collector, located inside the chimney, and an external solar collector, located outside the chimney and connected to transfer heat to a heat exchanger within the chimney. Both the internal collector and the external collector operate in tandem.

In still another embodiment, the solar chimney comprises multiple external solar collectors, the solar collectors providing heat to the fluids in a multiple-compartment reservoir, the system being usable during both day and night.

The present invention therefore has the primary object of providing a solar chimney, in which solar energy heats air in the chimney, causing updrafts which can be harnessed to perform useful work.

The invention has the further object of providing a solar chimney in which the solar collector and heat exchanger are located within the chimney.

The invention has the further object of providing a solar chimney in which a solar collector, external to the chimney, provides heat to a heat exchanger located within the chimney.

The invention has the further object of providing a solar chimney which is capable of operation during both day and night.

The invention has the further object of providing a solar chimney having both internal and external solar collectors.

The invention has the further object of providing a solar chimney having multiple external solar collectors, the collectors being connected in parallel to feed a reservoir, the solar chimney being usable during both day and night.

The invention has the further object of improving the efficiency of a solar chimney.

The invention has the further object of providing an improved device for harnessing the energy of the sun to do useful work.

The reader skilled in the art will recognize other objects and advantages of the present invention, from a reading of the following brief description of the drawings, the detailed description of the invention, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 provides a cut-away perspective view of a combined solar collector and heat exchanger, together with means for concentrating solar energy, made according to the present invention.

Figure 2 provides another perspective view of the combined solar collector and heat exchanger of Figure 1.

Figure 3 provides yet another perspective view of the combined solar collector and heat exchanger of Figure 1.

Figure 4A provides a cross-sectional view, taken from the top, of the combined solar collector and heat exchanger of Figures 1-3.

Figure 4B provides a cross-sectional view, taken from the side, of the device of Figure 4A. Figure 5 provides a cut-away perspective view of a combined solar collector and heat exchanger, made according to the present invention, wherein solar energy enters the device through an aperture having no lens.

Figure 6A provides a cross-sectional view, taken from the top, of the device shown in Figure 5.

Figure 6B provides a cross-sectional view, taken from the side, of the device shown in Figure 5.

Figure 7 provides a cut-away perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the absorptive coating and target substrate rotate relative to the body of the combined solar collector and heat exchanger.

Figure 8A provides a cross-sectional view, taken from the top, of the embodiment shown in Figure 7.

Figure 8B provides a cross-sectional view, taken from the side, of the embodiment shown in Figure 7.

Figure 9 provides a cut-away perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention, in which the solar collector is external to a chimney.

Figure 1OA provides a cross-sectional view, taken from the top, of the embodiment of Figure 9.

Figure 1OB provides a cross-sectional view, taken from the side, of the embodiment of Figure 9.

Figure 11 provides a cut-away perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention, in which the solar collector is external to the chimney, and in which heat is exchanged through a heat transfer fluid.

Figure 12 provides a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 11.

Figure 13A provides a cross-sectional view, taken from the side, of the solar collector portion of the embodiment of Figure 11.

Figure 13B provides a cross-sectional view, taken from the top, of the solar collector portion of the embodiment of Figure 11.

Figure 14 provides a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the present invention, this embodiment including a reservoir for storing heated fluid, for day/night operation.

Figures 15A, 15B, and 15C provide schematic diagrams illustrating the operation of the system of Figure 14 in daytime and nighttime, and showing the change-over from one mode to the other.

Figure 16 provides a partly schematic, and partly cross-sectional diagram showing details of the reservoir used in the embodiment of Figure 14.

Figure 17 provides a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the present invention, in which internal and external solar thermal collectors operate in tandem or individually.

Figure 18 provides a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the present invention, wherein multiple solar collectors are used, in parallel, to feed a reservoir.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figures 1-3 and 4A-4B illustrate an embodiment of the present invention in which a solar collector and heat exchanger are provided as a single unit located inside a generally cylindrical chimney. The chimney comprises an enclosure for the solar collector and heat exchanger. Solar reflector 1, located outside chimney 10, concentrates sunlight into a high- intensity beam, which passes through lens 3. The lens, which is held by lens holder 4, serves as a means for allowing solar energy to enter the chimney. The lens refocuses the beam through aperture 5, located inside the chimney. The aperture could be made of the same material as that of the chimney, or it could be made of special heat-resistant material.

The focused solar radiation impinges on absorptive coating 7 disposed on target substrate 9. The absorptive coating comprises a material which facilitates the absorption of solar energy. The target substrate is in thermal contact with primary fins 11. and is in indirect thermal contact with secondary fins 13. The fins provide a heat exchange surface for heating convected air passing through the chimney. Energy transfer is effected between the hot surface of the solar thermal collectors and the surrounding air, due to the temperature differential.

Scattered incident solar radiation is absorbed by another absorptive coating 23 located on the inside surface of inner casing 15. Such heat absorption heats the inner casing, and thus also heats the secondary fins 13. Radiation emitted by the inner casing is reflected back onto the inner casing and secondary fins 13 by the reflective inner surface 17 of the outer casing 19 of the chimney. Insulation layer 21 prevents loss of heat due to conduction.

The device can also be provided with a fusible wire 25, disposed along the periphery of the aperture of the chimney, which would cause the reflectors to be switched off in the event of mis-focusing of the high- intensity beam, thus providing the chimney with a safety device comprising an emergency shut-off mechanism.

The solar energy collected within the chimney heats the air in the chimney, creating an updraft which can then be used to drive a turbine to produce electricity, or to perform other useful work.

Figures 5, 6A and 6B illustrate another embodiment of the invention. This embodiment is similar to that of Figures 1-4, except that the solar beam is not focused by a lens. Instead, the solar radiation is simply directed through an aperture 31 formed in the wall of the chimney. The aperture may be fitted with a window 33, comprising a transparent or translucent material. The window thus allows solar energy to enter the chimney, while effectively sealing the enclosure by preventing air from entering. The inner casing 35 also has an aperture 37. The other components are similar to those of the embodiment of Figures 1-4, except that the target substrate 39 is displaced, compared to its position in the previous embodiment, due to the fact that the incoming beam is not focused by a lens.

Both the embodiment with a lens and the embodiment without a lens are useful, but the embodiment including the lens is considered preferable. A lens causes the incoming rays to diverge upon entering the chimney. The divergent rays then fall upon a larger area of the target substrate. The larger the area, the more energy the substrate can absorb, resulting in greater overall heating of the air in the chimney, and thus resulting in the production of more more powerful updrafts. A lens also inherently prevents the intrusion of air into the chimney, so the lens thus serves both the purpose of focusing the rays and of keeping air out of the chimney. The only disadvantage is that the lens is more expensive than the simple window. In these embodiments, both the lens and the window comprise means for allowing solar radiation to enter the enclosure defined by the chimney.

Other means for directing solar energy into the chimney could be used instead of what is shown in the drawings. For example, sunlight could be directed into the chimney by a series of mirrors, a series of lenses, or light tubes, or some combination thereof.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 7, 8A, and 8B. In this embodiment, the target substrate and its absorptive coating rotate relative to the fixed chimney. Vanes 43 define the target substrate, the target substrate having an absorptive coating (not explicitly shown). The vanes are mounted for rotation on shaft 41. The other components are similar to the embodiment of Figures 1-4. This embodiment could also be applied to the arrangement of Figures 5-6.

Rotation of the target substrate, in the embodiment of Figures 7-8, could be accomplished automatically, i.e. by allowing the structure to rotate freely under the influence of the updraft in the chimney. Alternatively, rotation could be caused by a motor. Arrow 45, which indicates the direction of rotation, is also intended to represent a motor for causing such rotation. The rotation of the vanes provides greater turbulence inside the chimney, resulting in higher heat flux to the convected air. The solar collector could also be provided with a combination of rotating and stationary elements.

Figures 9, 1OA, and 1OB show another embodiment of the invention, wherein the solar collector is external to the chimney. A solar reflector 61 directs a high- intensity solar beam through glass 63 held by window frame 65, formed in container 67. The container is a sealed enclosure, and may be metallic or non-metallic. The container is depicted as a cylinder, but it could have other shapes. The beam entering the container then passes through lens 69. The focused solar radiation impinges on absorptive coating 71 of target substrate 73. The target substrate conducts heat, through a solid heat conductor 75 to a heat exchanger 77 located within chimney 79. The heat exchanger 77 is surrounded by a reflective casing 78 which reflects radiation emitted by the heat exchanger. The reflective casing 78 is fitted with fins 74 to improve the heat transfer. Chimney 79 may be insulated.

The container 67 includes an inner casing 81 which preferably has an absorptive outer coating, for absorbing scattered incident solar radiation. The inner casing may also have a reflective inner surface that reflects scattered incident radiation back onto the absorptive coating 71 of target substrate 73. The outer casing of the container may also include a reflective inner surface, for reflecting emitted radiation back to the inner casing. The container is preferably evacuated and totally insulated to reduce or eliminate convective and conductive heat loss.

Solar energy directed onto the collector is thus converted into heat, in the collector, transferred to the chimney, and then used to heat the air in the chimney, forming the desired updraft for performing useful work.

Figures 11-13 illustrate another embodiment of the invention, wherein the solar collector is again external to the chimney, and wherein heat from the solar collector is transferred through a heat transfer fluid. In this embodiment, reflector 91 directs a high-intensity beam of solar radiation through window 93 of container 95. The container is preferably sealed and evacuated. The beam passes through aperture 97 in intermediate casing 99. The beam is then refocused by lens 101 onto absorptive coating 103 of target substrate 105. The target substrate is thereby heated.

Scattered incident solar radiation is absorbed by absorptive coating 107 of inner casing 109, thereby heating the inner casing. Emitted radiation is absorbed by absorptive coating 111 disposed on the inside surface of intermediate casing 99. The outer casing 113 has a reflective inner surface 118 which reflects radiation emitted by the intermediate casing 99 back onto the intermediate casing. Heat transfer fluid coils 115, 117, and 119 are attached to intermediate casing 99, inner casing 109. and target substrate 105, respectively. Heat transfer fluid enters the container, first conveying thermal energy away from intermediate casing 99. then from inner casing 109, and finally from target substrate 105. The heat transfer fluid coils are in fluid connection with the same fluid conduit which conveys the fluid between the solar collector and the heat exchanger in the chimney. As the heat transfer fluid carries the heat, it becomes progressively hotter, and leaves the collector at its highest temperature before transferring thermal energy to ambient air at the heat exchanger within chimney 121.

The heat transfer fluid may be circulated by a pump (not shown), or by a passive means, such as a thermosiphon, wherein liquid circulates in a vertical closed-loop system, without a pump, due to natural convection.

As in the previous embodiments, the thermal collectors can be either metallic or non-metallic. They are preferably evacuated and totally insulated to reduce or eliminate convective and conductive heat loss.

Figure 14 illustrates an embodiment of the invention suitable for use in both daytime and nighttime operation. Figure 14 illustrates the general operation; specifics are shown in Figures 15A-C. In brief, during the daytime, heat transfer fluid is pumped, by pump Pl, from reservoir 201, through valve Vl, and into external solar collector 203. The heat transfer fluid receives heat in the solar collector, and then flows out of the collector and into a heat exchanger located inside chimney 205. The heat transfer fluid gives up heat, in the chimney, to the air surrounding the heat exchanger, and then flows back to the reservoir. During the nighttime, valve Vl is closed and valve V2 is opened, causing stored heated fluid from the reservoir to flow directly into the chimney, where heat from the fluid is transferred to surrounding air in the same manner. The fluid then returns to the reservoir.

Thus, the valves, conduits, and pump together comprise means for directing heat transfer fluid between the reservoir, the solar collector, and the heat exchanger in the chimney.

Figures 15A-C illustrate the operation of the arrangement of Figure 14 in more detail. Consider first the operation during the day, illustrated in Figure 15A. In this case, valve Vl is open, valve V2 is closed, and valve V3, the outlet valve of the reservoir, is open.

Heat transfer fluid is heated by absorption of solar radiation in collector 301. The heated fluid releases the absorbed energy in chimney 303, which is assumed to include a heat exchanger, as described above. The energy released in the chimney is a function of the temperature differential between the heated fluid and ATD, the air temperature during daytime. After passing through the chimney, the fluid has temperature LTD, which is defined as the fluid temperature after heat exchange with daytime air. The temperature LTD is still high enough to transfer residual energy to cooler nighttime air, the temperature of the nighttime air being designated as ATN. In other words, nighttime air can be heated by the fluid that has already been used to heat daytime air, enabling the chimney to generate power during the night.

It is crucial that the fluids of different temperatures, enabling this operation, be prevented from mixing. Partition 305 acts both as a physical and thermal barrier.

Figure 15A represents the status of the reservoir at the start of the day. The upper portion of the reservoir holds heat transfer fluid having a temperature LTN, which indicates the temperature of the fluid after heat exchange with nighttime air. This fluid is withdrawn from the reservoir. through valves V3 and Vl, and conveyed to collector 301, where it is heated. The fluid then flows to chimney 303, where it releases part of its absorbed energy. The hot fluid heats the air in the chimney having temperature ATD, creating an updraft in the chimney, the updraft being sufficiently powerful to perform useful work.

The system described is a closed system, so as the fluid (at temperature LTN) is withdrawn from the upper portion of the reservoir, an equal amount of heat transfer fluid, having temperature LTD, is simultaneously filling the bottom portion of the reservoir. Such fluid accumulates in the lower portion of the reservoir, throughout the day. The partition 305 adjusts itself automatically, being pulled up by the diminishing volume of fluid in the upper portion, and being pushed up by the increasing volume of fluid in the lower portion. Expansion bellow 307 provides pressure relief as the partition moves upward.

As the day progresses, partition 305 moves upward within the reservoir. When the day ends, the barrier will be at or near the top of the reservoir, as shown in Figure 15B. At this point, the reservoir is largely filled with fluid which has released its heat to daytime air, and which has temperature LTD. It is now time to change over to nighttime operation.

The partition 305 must be moved down to prevent the incoming heat transfer fluid, which will have released heat to nighttime air and which will have temperature LTN, from mixing with the hotter fluid which has released heat to daytime air (LTD). The change over is accomplished by opening valve VR, which temporarily renders the partition ineffective. The partition can then be lowered to the bottom of the reservoir, either by adjusting its density to make it heavier, or by mechanical means. After the partition has been lowered, valve VR is again shut, restoring the physical and thermal barrier between fluids of different temperature. Valve Vl is then shut, and valve V2 is opened, so that fluid from the reservoir can flow directly to the chimney 303, bypassing the solar collector 301. The solar collector is. of course, unnecessary and useless at night.

The opening of the valve VR causes the fluid in the reservoir to become fluid having temperature at or near LTD. This fluid will flow into chimney 303, and can release its residual energy to the cooler nighttime air, having temperature ATN, to generate power. By dawn, the fluid in the bottom portion of the reservoir will be fluid having temperature LTN, i.e. fluid which has released heat to nighttime air. That is why the upper and lower portions of the reservoir are designated by LTN and LTD, respectively, in Figures 15A and 15B, but are designated by LTD and LTN, respectively, in Figure 15C.

At dawn, the fluid having temperature LTN will have replaced the fluid of temperature LTD, in the lower portion of the reservoir. The valve VR is then opened to lower the partition again. Valve Vl is then opened, and valve V2 is closed, so that the daytime process can begin again.

The reservoir could be provided with multiple partitions and/or multiple inlet and outlet valves. The use of multiple partitions enables more differentiation among fluids of different temperatures, resulting in greater efficiency and more constant energy output produced by the updrafts formed in the chimney. Thus, the present invention uses a reservoir having two or more compartments, the compartments being defined by the partitions.

Figures 15A-C thus show how fluids of different temperatures can be kept separated to prevent mixing. The process requires that mixing be prevented. Switching of the operation of the system is effected simply by opening the valve VR. The process begins again when valve VR is closed.

Figure 16 provides further details of the reservoir represented in Figures 14 and 15A-C. This figure also illustrates the case in which there may be multiple partitions and multiple outlet valves. In Figure 16, there are shown partitions 321, 323. and 325. Disposed between the levels of these partitions are valves V3A, V3B, and V3C, the latter valves corresponding to outlet valve V3 shown in Figures 15A-C. Figure 16 also shows, in a detailed view, the movement of the partitions relative to the wall of the reservoir. As shown in the figure, the partition can be mounted to rollers 331 which move within track guide 333.

The reservoir can be metallic or non-metallic, and can be disposed horizontally or vertically. The reservoir could be uninsulated, although it is preferred to provide insulation. The reservoir could be located either above ground or below ground. The expansion bellow accommodates thermal expansion of the heat transfer fluid stored therein. The reservoir is totally enclosed, forming a closed-loop system with the solar thermal collector.

The partition or partitions are thermally insulated. The locations where the partition meets the wall of the reservoir constitutes a seal, creating both a physical and a thermal barrier to fluid on either side of the partition. The partition can thus move according to the change in volume of the fluid contained within the space bounded by the partition.

The sealing between the reservoir wall and the partition is provided by a mechanical seal or an elastomer. The partition is preferably equipped with a mechanism, which could be mechanical, electrical, or physical, that can move the partition to a desired position.

Figure 17 shows another embodiment of the present invention, in which the system includes both an internal and an external solar collector. As indicated in the figure, chimney 401 includes internal solar collector 403 and external solar collector 405. Thus, the figure shows a combined solar collector and heat exchanger, located entirely within the chimney, and a heat exchanger, spaced apart from the combined solar collector and heat exchanger, used in connection with the external solar collector. These solar collectors can be constructed as described in the previous embodiments.

With regard to the external solar collector, Figure 17 shows the heat being transferred by a heat transfer fluid, but it is understood that this embodiment could include the use of a solid heat transfer device, as described earlier.

The solar collectors thus work in tandem, both generating heat within the chimney, and thereby producing updrafts which can perform useful work. The use of some or all of the features of the previous embodiments, working in tandem, increases the output of the solar chimney. A reservoir could also be added to the arrangement of Figure 17, in the same manner described in previous embodiments, so that power can be generated both during the day and during the night.

Figure 18 shows another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, there are multiple solar collectors, connected in parallel, to feed a reservoir. The reservoir is constructed in the same manner described earlier. Figure 18 shows that the reservoir can be supplied by one or more solar collectors. For simplicity of illustration, the connection(s) between the reservoir and a heat exchanger located within the chimney are not shown, but it is understood that Figure 18 comprises a modification of the embodiment shown in Figures 14-16. The use of multiple solar collectors increases the security and flexibility of the system. The system could be expanded by adding one solar collector at a time, without disrupting the operation of the system. Also, the use of multiple solar collectors connected in parallel makes it practical to disconnect one collector for repair, without halting operation of the overall system.

The construction of the solar chimney is designed to minimize heat loss. The solar chimney can be made of brick, concrete, fiberglass, steel, or other materials, or combinations of the above, consistent with the requirements of maximum economy, high strength, low heat loss, and efficient air flow. The chimney can be constructed of pipes made of fiberglass, which could be single-walled or multi-walled, and which could be made with or without stiffeners such as a honeycomb, and with or without insulation. The pipes can be lined or unlined, and could be of the same or different materials, consistent with the required temperatures of operation.

It should be understood that features described with respect to a particular embodiment are often applicable to other embodiments. For example, the rotatable vanes of the heat exchanger can be provided both in the case where the solar collector is located within the chimney, and in the case where the solar collector is outside the chimney. The solar collectors of both embodiments could be provided with either a lens, a window, or an aperture for allowing solar radiation to enter. In the case where the solar collector is inside the chimney, the lens or window or aperture would be located in the chimney wall. In the case where the collector is outside the chimney, the lens or window or aperture would be located in a housing for such collector.

Similarly, in cases in which an external solar collector is used, without a reservoir, the means of heat transfer between the solar collector and the heat exchanger inside the chimney could be either a solid heat conductor or a heat transfer fluid. For embodiments with a reservoir, it is necessary that the heat transfer medium be a fluid.

In the embodiment of Figure 17, the external solar collector could transfer heat to the inside of the chimney by a solid heat conductor, as shown in Figure 9, instead of the heat transfer fluid as suggested in Figure 17.

Although a reservoir is not shown in Figure 17, a reservoir could be used with any or all of the external solar collectors used in that embodiment, in the same manner disclosed in Figures 14-16.

Thus, the appearance of a particular feature in a particular embodiment should not be interpreted to limit the use of such feature to that embodiment. On the contrary, the disclosed features may, when logical and appropriate, be combined in many different ways.

The reader skilled in the art will recognize other variations of the invention. Such variations should be considered within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A solar chimney, comprising: a) an enclosure, b) means for allowing solar radiation to enter the enclosure, c) solar collection means located inside the enclosure, and d) a heat exchanger, located inside the enclosure and in thermal contact with the solar collection means.

2. The solar chimney of Claim 1, wherein the enclosure comprises a generally cylindrical structure.

3. The solar chimney of Claim 1, wherein the allowing means comprises a lens located in a wall of the enclosure.

4. The solar chimney of Claim 1, wherein the allowing means comprises an aperture formed in a wall of the enclosure.

5. The solar chimney of Claim 4, wherein the aperture is sealed by a translucent material.

6. The solar chimney of Claim 1, wherein the solar collection means includes a target substrate which is in thermal contact with the heat exchanger.

7. The solar chimney of Claim 6, wherein the heat exchanger includes a plurality of primary fins, the primary fins being in thermal contact with the target substrate, the primary fins and target substrate being located within an inner casing located within the enclosure.

8. The solar chimney of Claim 7, wherein the heat exchanger further includes a plurality of secondary fins located between the inner casing and an interior wall of the enclosure.

9. The solar chimney of Claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger includes a plurality of vanes which are mounted for rotation relative to the enclosure.

10. The solar chimney of Claim 7, wherein the inner casing has a heat absorptive coating on an inner surface of the inner casing.

11. The solar chimney of Claim 1, wherein the enclosure has a reflective inner surface.

12. A solar chimney, comprising: a) a generally cylindrical enclosure, b) an aperture formed in the enclosure for allowing solar radiation to enter the enclosure, c) a target substrate, located inside the enclosure, for absorbing solar radiation entering the enclosure, d) a heat exchanger, located inside the enclosure and in thermal contact with the target substrate.

13. The solar chimney of Claim 12, further comprising a lens mounted within the aperture.

14. The solar chimney of Claim 12, wherein the aperture is sealed by a translucent material.

15. The solar chimney of Claim 12, wherein the target substrate is in thermal contact with a plurality of primary fins, the target substrate and primary fins being held within an inner casing disposed within the enclosure, further comprising a plurality of secondary fins located between the inner casing and an interior wall of the enclosure, wherein the heat exchanger comprises the primary and secondary fins.

16. The solar chimney of Claim 12, wherein the heat exchanger includes a plurality of vanes which are mounted for rotation relative to the enclosure.

17. The solar chimney of Claim 12, wherein the inner casing has a heat absorptive coating on an inner surface of the inner casing.

18. The solar chimney of Claim 12, wherein the enclosure has a reflective inner surface.

19. A solar chimney, comprising: a) an enclosure defining a flow path for a fluid to be heated, b) an aperture in said enclosure for allowing solar energy from outside the enclosure to enter the enclosure, c) a target substrate, within the enclosure, for absorbing solar energy entering the enclosure, and d) means for distributing heat from the target substrate, across an interior region of the enclosure, so as to heat a fluid passing through the enclosure.

20. The solar chimney of Claim 19, wherein the target substrate is in thermal contact with a plurality of primary fins, the target substrate and primary fins being held within an inner casing disposed within the enclosure, further comprising a plurality of secondary fins located between the inner casing and an interior wall of the enclosure, and wherein the distributing means comprises the primary and secondary fins.

21. A solar chimney, comprising: a) an enclosure, b) a heat exchanger located within the enclosure, c) solar collection means located outside the enclosure, and d) means for conducting heat from the solar collection means to the heat exchanger.

22. The solar chimney of Claim 21, wherein the heat conducting means comprises a solid material connecting the solar collection means to the heat exchanger.

23. The solar chimney of Claim 21, wherein the heat conducting means comprises a conduit for conveying a heat transfer fluid from the solar collection means to the heat exchanger.

24. The solar chimney of Claim 21, wherein the enclosure comprises a generally cylindrical structure.

25. The solar chimney of Claim 21, wherein the solar collection means includes a housing located outside the enclosure, the housing having means for allowing solar radiation to enter the housing.

26. The solar chimney of Claim 25, wherein the allowing means is selected from the group consisting of a lens, a window, and an aperture.

27. The solar chimney of Claim 25, wherein the solar collection means includes a target substrate which is in thermal contact with the conducting means.

28. The solar chimney of Claim 27, wherein the target substrate is located within an inner casing which is mounted inside the housing.

29. The solar chimney of Claim 21, wherein the heat exchanger includes a plurality of vanes which are mounted for rotation relative to the enclosure.

30. The solar chimney of Claim 21, wherein the solar collection means comprises a housing and an inner casing disposed within the housing, the collection means including a target substrate located within the inner casing.

31. The solar chimney of Claim 30, wherein there is an intermediate casing surrounding the inner casing and located within the housing.

32. The solar chimney of Claim 31, wherein the inner casing has a heat absorptive inner surface, wherein the intermediate casing has a heat absorptive inner surface, and wherein the housing has a reflective inner surface.

33. A solar chimney, comprising: a) a generally cylindrical enclosure, b) a housing located outside the enclosure, the housing containing a target substrate for absorbing solar radiation entering the housing, c) a heat exchanger located inside the enclosure, and d) heat transfer means for conveying heat from the target substrate to the heat exchanger.

34. The solar chimney of Claim 33, wherein the housing includes means for allowing solar radiation to enter the housing.

35. The solar chimney of Claim 34, wherein the allowing means is selected from the group consisting of a lens, a window, and an aperture.

36. The solar chimney of Claim 33, wherein the heat exchanger includes a plurality of vanes which are mounted for rotation relative to the enclosure.

37. The solar chimney of Claim 33, wherein the heat transfer means comprises a solid material connecting the target substrate to the heat exchanger.

38. The solar chimney of Claim 33, wherein the heat conducting means comprises a conduit for conveying a heat transfer fluid from the target substrate to the heat exchanger.

39. A solar chimney, comprising: a) an enclosure defining a flow path for a fluid to be heated, b) a solar collection means, located outside the enclosure, for collecting solar energy, c) means for transferring heat from the solar collection means to a heat exchanger mounted within the enclosure, wherein the heat exchanger is positioned to distribute heat across an interior region of the enclosure so as to heat a fluid passing through the enclosure.

40. The solar chimney of Claim 39, wherein the heat transferring means is selected from the group consisting of a solid heat conductor and a conduit for conveying a heat transfer fluid.

41. A solar chimney, comprising: a) an enclosure defining a path for flow of a fluid to be heated, the enclosure containing a heat exchanger, b) a solar collector located outside the enclosure, c) a reservoir for storing a heat transfer fluid, and d) means for directing heat transfer fluid between the reservoir, the solar collector, and the heat exchanger, wherein, in a first position of the directing means, appropriate for use during daytime, heat transfer fluid can flow from the reservoir, then into the solar collector, then into the heat exchanger, and then back to the reservoir, and wherein, in a second position of the directing means, appropriate for use during nighttime, heat transfer fluid can flow from the reservoir, into the heat exchanger, and then back to the reservoir.

42. The solar chimney of Claim 41, wherein the reservoir includes a movable partition which thermally and mechanically divides the reservoir into compartments.

43. The solar chimney of Claim 42, wherein the directing means is configured such that heat transfer fluid is withdrawn from a first compartment of the reservoir, and such that heat transfer fluid is returned, from the heat exchanger, into a different compartment of the reservoir.

44. The solar chimney of Claim 41, wherein the solar collector comprises a target substrate located within a housing, the housing including means for allowing solar radiation to enter the housing and to impinge upon the target substrate, the target substrate being in thermal contact with a portion of the directing means so as to transfer heat to fluid being conveyed by the directing means.

45. The solar chimney of Claim 44, wherein the target substrate is located within an inner casing disposed within the housing.

46. The solar chimney of Claim 45, wherein there is an intermediate casing surrounding the inner casing and located within the housing.

47. The solar chimney of Claim 46, wherein the inner casing has a heat absorptive inner surface, wherein the intermediate casing has a heat absorptive inner surface, and wherein the housing has a reflective inner surface.

48. The solar chimney of Claim 41, wherein the reservoir includes at least two movable partitions, the partitions comprising means for thermally and mechanically dividing the reservoir into compartments.

49. The solar chimney of Claim 42, wherein the partition is mounted to rollers which are movable within a track guide formed in a wall of the reservoir.

50. The solar chimney of Claim 41, wherein the directing means include conduits for directing heat transfer fluid from the reservoir and into either of the solar collector or the heat exchanger, valves for opening and closing some of said conduits, and a pump for conveying heat transfer fluid through the conduits.

51. The solar chimney of Claim 41, wherein there are a plurality of solar collectors located outside the enclosure, and wherein all of said solar collectors are connected to said reservoir.

52. A solar chimney, comprising: a) an enclosure defining a path for flow of a fluid to be heated, the enclosure containing a heat exchanger, b) a plurality of solar collectors located outside the enclosure, c) a reservoir for storing a heat transfer fluid, and d) means for directing heat transfer fluid between the reservoir, the solar collectors, and the heat exchanger, wherein, in a first position of the directing means, appropriate for use during daytime, heat transfer fluid can flow from the reservoir, then into at least one of the solar collectors, then into the heat exchanger, and then back to the reservoir, and wherein, in a second position of the directing means, appropriate for use during nighttime, heat transfer fluid can flow from the reservoir, into the heat exchanger, and then back to the reservoir.

53. The solar chimney of Claim 52, wherein the reservoir includes a movable partition which thermally and mechanically divides the reservoir into compartments.

54. The solar chimney of Claim 52, wherein the directing means is configured such that heat transfer fluid is withdrawn from a first compartment of the reservoir, and such that heat transfer fluid is returned, from the heat exchanger, into a different compartment of the reservoir.

55. A method of operating a solar chimney system, the system including a chimney having a heat exchanger disposed therein, a solar collector, and a reservoir, the heat exchanger, solar collector, and reservoir being interconnected by a plurality of conduits and valves, the method comprising: a) directing a heat transfer fluid, during daytime, from the reservoir, into the solar collector, and into the heat exchanger, and returning the heat transfer fluid to the reservoir after the fluid has released some heat to the heat exchanger, thereby causing air in the chimney to become heated and to move by convection, b) directing the heat transfer fluid, during nighttime, from the reservoir to the heat exchanger, and returning the heat transfer fluid to the reservoir after the fluid has released some heat to the heat exchanger, thereby causing air in the chimney to become heated and to move by convection, c) using moving air in the chimney to perform useful work.

56. The method of Claim 55, wherein the reservoir has a plurality of compartments defined by at least one movable partition disposed within the reservoir, and wherein fluid is withdrawn from one of said compartments, and wherein fluid is returned to another of said compartments.

57. The method of Claim 55, wherein step (b) is preceded by the step of closing a valve in a conduit connecting the reservoir to the solar collector, and opening a valve in a conduit connecting the reservoir to the heat exchanger.

58. The method of Claim 55, wherein steps (a) and (b) are performed in repeated alternating fashion, wherein the solar chimney system is operated substantially continuously, during day and night.

59. The method of Claim 55, wherein the reservoir has at least three compartments defined by at least two partitions, and wherein the heat transfer fluid is withdrawn from a plurality of said compartments.

60. The method of Claim 56, further comprising moving a position of at least one partition before switching from daytime operation to nighttime operation and vice versa.

61. A solar chimney, comprising: a) an enclosure, defining a flow path for a fluid to be heated, b) an internal solar collector, the internal solar collector being located inside the enclosure, and being positioned in a vicinity of an opening in the enclosure so as to allow solar radiation from outside the enclosure to reach the internal solar collector, c) an external solar collector positioned outside the enclosure, d) a heat exchanger located within the enclosure, and e) means for transferring heat between the external solar collector and the heat exchanger.

62. The solar chimney of Claim 61, wherein the enclosure is a generally cylindrical structure.

63. The solar chimney of Claim 61, wherein the opening is sealed by a lens.

64. The solar chimney of Claim 61, wherein the opening is sealed by a translucent material.

65. The solar chimney of Claim 61, wherein the internal solar collector occupies sufficient space within the enclosure so as to transfer heat to air in a vicinity of the internal solar collector.

66. The solar chimney of Claim 61, wherein the external solar collector includes a housing having an opening sufficient to allow solar radiation to impinge on a target substrate located within the housing, wherein the heat transferring means comprises a conduit for conveying a heat transfer fluid between the external solar collector and the heat exchanger, the target substrate being in thermal contact with said conduit.

67. A solar chimney, comprising: a) an enclosure defining a flow path for a fluid to be heated, b) at least one internal solar collector, the internal solar collector being located inside the enclosure and being positioned in a vicinity of an opening in the enclosure, so as to allow solar radiation to contact the internal solar collector, and c) at least one external solar collector, the external solar collector being external to the enclosure, and being in thermal contact with a heat exchanger located inside the enclosure, the heat exchanger being spaced apart from the internal solar collector.

68. The solar chimney of Claim 67, wherein at least one external solar collector is connected to a reservoir for a heat transfer fluid.

69. The solar chimney of Claim 67, wherein the enclosure is a generally cylindrical structure.

70. The solar chimney of Claim 67, wherein the opening is sealed by a lens.

71. The solar chimney of Claim 67, wherein the opening is sealed by a translucent material.

72. The solar chimney of Claim 67, wherein the internal solar collector occupies sufficient space within the enclosure so as to transfer heat to air in a vicinity of the internal solar collector.

73. The solar chimney of Claim 67, wherein the external solar collector includes a housing having an opening sufficient to allow solar radiation to impinge on a target substrate located within the housing, wherein the heat transferring means comprises a conduit for conveying a heat transfer fluid between the external solar collector and the heat exchanger, the target substrate being in thermal contact with said conduit.

74. A method of operating a solar chimney, comprising: a) providing at least one internal solar collector within a chimney, the internal solar collector comprising means for receiving solar radiation and for transferring absorbed heat to air in a vicinity of the internal solar collector, b) providing at least one external solar collector outside of the chimney, each external solar collector being in thermal contact with a heat exchanger located inside the chimney, the heat exchanger being spaced apart from the internal solar collector, and c) allowing air to flow inside the chimney, wherein the air becomes heated by interaction with the internal solar collector and the heat exchanger, wherein updrafts are produced within the chimney which updrafts are used to perform useful work.

75. The method of Claim 74, further comprising the step of focusing solar radiation which impinges on at least one of said internal solar collector and said external solar collector by passing said solar radiation through a lens.