The Jewellok Valved Deposition Sources enable instantaneous control of selenium and sulfur as well as other high vapor pressure materials. The proprietary valve design provides reproducible and precise flux profiles for the most demanding growth processes. Each source is engineered for the appropriate material with an optional thermal cracking region to improve material incorporation.

A material distribution manifold is available for large sample and in-line deposition applications. The distribution manifold is engineered to evenly distribute material across the entire substrate.
*Available Thermal Cracking Zone for Reduced Material Consumption and Improved Film Quality
*Precision Valve to Deliver Reproducible Depositions.
*Customized Material Distribution Manifold for the Highest Uniformity
*”On the Fly” Reloading Doesn’t Require for the Entire System to be Vented During Material Loading

How Valves are Used in Solar

The solar panels gather energy, or heat from the sun, and then heat up materials. “These materials are flowing through the piping underneath the application. They are charged and produce energy as they heat up. One of the materials commonly used is molten salt, as it creates steam when heated and introduced to water systems, which in turn runs the generators that create energy.”

The piping systems used in this application are similar to any pipe system used for flow control. On top of generators, there are pumps that control the flow of material. The main function of valves in these applications is opening and closing the media source to the pump. They are therefore integral to the successful operation of the application and needed if a pump requires maintenance or to be replaced. Valves are also an integral part of emergency shutdowns; companies want to be able to bypass the flow if necessary.

To begin implementing solar design more regularly, technology needs to advance to a point to make the switch cost-effective and useful for a variety of applications.  Some of the technology is already there, and there is a large influence in Spain. Many of the products they have designed are now entering the global market.

Challenges and Risks

Unlike hydrogen applications, there is not a large risk of combustion. However, there are still risks and challenges associated with using solar energy, and failure of any of the moving parts, including valves. “For example, one of the risks associated with a valve that has failed is the contamination of the molten salt. If it cools down too quickly or spills, it could certainly make an environmental impact. Additionally, it can harden quickly when cooled rendering moving components inoperable.”

If there is a way to make major battery installations, and take solar power and turn it into battery type transitions, Moreland foresees solar could have greater potential in the industrial market. “Big solar farms and molten salt are a huge expense, and do not have the same impact as other forms of energy currently do. It is just not enough energy production yet. Technology will have to advance in the near future.”

Because of some of the challenges associated with creating solar energy, Some expert does not predict solar energy will be a leading source of green energy for the industrial sector when compared to hydrogen or LNGs. The solar has not reached its peak yet, but there may be a better fit for solar with point of purchase type uses. Solar panels on people’s houses, and smaller projects like that, may be a bigger side of this market than traditional large scale solar farms. Between the two, we believe hydrogen will be much bigger.

Forward Look

Several industries, companies, customers, and users may benefit from the use of solar energy, on top of the reduction in environmental impact.

In comparison to other forms of clean energy, such as hydrocarbons, solar is much more efficient. “If there is sun, you have free energy. Solar is cleaner, if you have that infrastructure in place, but it is expensive to create. On the other hand, oil and gas is old, reliable, and much more efficient. All forms of energy production have their pros and cons.”