Patent ID: 7654073

Claim:
A solar power-generating system comprising: means for forming a primary fluid at a first range of elevated temperature and pressure; means for forming a secondary fluid at a second range of temperature and pressure, less than the first range, at least one of the means for forming the primary and secondary fluids including a solar-powered system configured to form the corresponding fluid; a substantially thermally insulated mixing and expansion device in fluid communication with the means for forming the primary and secondary fluids, the thermally insulated mixing and expansion device being configured to expand at least one of the primary and secondary fluids and form a working fluid therefrom wherein the means for forming the primary fluid comprises: a plurality of reactors having a common first housing; and a combusting device having a second housing, wherein the system further comprises means for supplying a cooling fluid to the first and second housings, the cooling fluid having a fourth range of temperature and pressure less than the second range of temperature and pressure, the cooling fluid being in thermal communication with the reactors and combustor as it travels through the housing for extracting heat produced thereby and raising the temperature and pressure of the cooling fluid to the second range for forming the secondary fluid for delivery to the mixing and expansion device, whereby heat losses from the solar power-generating system are minimized for operating at least substantially adiabatically.