Using solar energy to produce industrial process heat conserves non-renewable energy sources, such as oil, coal, and natural gas, and reduces industrial air pollution. Industries that use solar energy for industrial process heat for some facilities include the wallboard and food industries. Drying applications use flat plate, evacuated tube, and concentrating collectors. Hot Water Many industries use large quantities of hot water for washing, bleaching, and cooking.
Many industries use steam to generate electricity.
Solar thermal energy produces steam by circulating pressurized water through a collector field, and then channeling the heated water to a low pressure chamber. Indirect methods may also be used, circulating heat transfer fluids in the collector field and then feeding them to a steam generator. Because of the higher temperatures necessary, industrial steam heat applications use concentrating collectors and evacuated tubes. The petroleum, glass, cement, and steel industries, which require high temperatures for melting material and refining, use direct process heat. These applications require central receiver and parabolic dish systems.