SUPPLEMENTAL SOLAR CONCENTRATOR FOR THE HEATING OF PARTICLES

A solar energy particle receiver system and method of use for precise and controlled heating, sintering, and/or phase change of particles. In one embodiment, the solar energy particle receiver system directs sunlight from a primary concentrator into supplemental concentrating reflective optic where the emitted sunlight is used to heat and sinter, melt, or induce a phase change of the particles such as regolith at a controlled temperature, the supplemental concentrating reflective optics cooled to prevent overheating and a sweeping gas directed at the reflective surface to prevent optical fouling. In one aspect, the supplemental concentrating reflective optic is a compound reflective concentrator. In one application, the particles are a regolith, such as a lunar regolith.