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Abstract

There is disclosed a method of generating superheated steam for use in power generation. The method comprises: (a) preheating feed water to a temperature below its boiling point; (b) boiling the preheated feed water to produce steam; and (c) superheating the steam. The feed water is boiled by heat exchange with a heat transfer fluid which has been heated by heat collected in a first solar radiation absorption device. In addition, one or other or both of the preheating and superheating is carried out by direct heating in a further solar radiation absorption device or devices. The invention also relates to an apparatus for generating superheated steam for use in power generation. The apparatus comprises: (1) a superheated steam generating portion for generating superheated steam, comprising: (a) a preheater zone for preheating a feed water to a temperature below its boiling point; (b) a boiler zone downstream of the preheater zone for boiling the preheated feed water to produce steam; and (c) a superheater zone downstream of the boiler zone, for superheating the steam; and (2) a heat transfer fluid portion comprising a first solar radiation absorption device for heating a heat transfer fluid and being configured to transfer heat from the heated heat transfer fluid to the feed water in the boiler zone. One or other of the preheater zone and the superheater zone comprises a further solar radiation absorption device for direct heating of the feed water or the steam, or wherein each of the preheater zone and the superheater zone comprises a further solar radiation absorption device for direct heating respectively of the feed water and the steam.

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First Claim