| abstract |
A graphite-based heat exchanger (100), especially for use as a solar energy receptor as part of the thermal process in a solar power system, including an energy collection panel (112), a heat spreader (116), and a thermal element (114), wherein the heat spreader is formed of flexible graphite having a density of at least about 0.6 g/cc and a thickness of less than about 10 mm, and the heat spreader further has a first side and a second side, wherein the heat spreader is in a thermal transfer relationship with the thermal element, and wherein the energy collection panel includes at least one sheet or block of graphite. |