Light processing system
A system is provided for photo-processing of a material using incident light with an optical element that includes a plurality of concentric bands of optical prisms concentric around a focal axis. The system includes a target receiver positioned on the focal axis and holds the material to be photo-processed. The optical prisms concentrate incident light on the target receiver. The optical element may be formed substantially of acrylic formulated to pass UV radiation. The optical element may include anti-reflective additives in the acrylic. The optical prisms may be fresnel zones.
1. A system for photo-processing of a material using incident light, the system comprising:
a. a substantially transparent optical element, including a plurality of concentric bands of optical prisms concentric around a focal axis
b. a target receiver positioned on the focal axis and configured to hold the material to be photo-processed, wherein the optical prisms concentrate incident light on the target receiver, and wherein the optical prisms receive and concentrate an input light onto the material to be photo-processed, the concentrated light incident on the material having greater than 60 times of at least the UV light of the input light.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the optical element is formed substantially of acrylic.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein the acrylic of the optical element is formulated to pass UV radiation.
4. The system of claim 2 wherein the optical element includes anti-reflective additives in the acrylic.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of optical prisms comprise a plurality of fresnel zones.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein the receiver includes a substantially transparent entrance plate formed of borosilicate glass.
7. The system of claim 1 wherein the optical element is configured to concentrate on the receiver light in the UV B range.
8. The system of claim 1 wherein the receiver further comprises a housing and tubing within the housing, wherein the tubing is configured to retain and convey the material to be photo-processed.
9. The system of claim 8 where the receiver further comprises an insulator around the housing.
10. The system of claim 8 wherein the receiver further comprises an entrance valve to control entrance of the material into the tubing.
11. The system of claim 8 wherein the tubing includes a spiral portion of a tube.
12. The system of claim 1 wherein the receiver further comprises a photo-catalytic semiconductor.
13. The system of claim 12 wherein the photo-catalytic semiconductor is selected from the group comprising TiO2 and ZnO.
14. The system of claim 12 wherein the receiver further comprises a baffle defining a surface and the photo-catalytic semiconductor is diffused onto the surface of the baffle.
15. The system of claim 1 further comprising a weather station with a directional pyrometer to determine solar position.
16. The system of claim 1 further comprising a tower and a wind velocity anemometer supported on the tower, and a controller operational to configure the system in a stow position.
17. The system of claim 1 further comprising an actuator that controls the altitude of the optical element.
18. The system of claim 1 further comprising a slewing bearing to adjust position of the system in azimuth.
19. The system of claim 1 further comprising a conveyer for moving the material being processed.
20. The system of claim 1 further comprising an auger for moving the material being processed.