Analysis of Fuel Gasification Using Solar Technology: A Patent Review

Solar energy enhances the energy and environmental performance of coal gasification by lowering carbon emissions and increasing the yield and quality of synthesis gas. This patent review surveys recent global advances in solar thermochemical reactors for coal gasification, focusing on key innovations disclosed in patent applications and grants, with particular attention to technologies that improve process efficiency and sustainability. The novelty of the review is that unlike most patent reviews that focus primarily on statistical indicators such as application counts, geography, and classification, this work integrates qualitative analysis of specific technical solutions alongside statistical evaluation. This combined approach enables a deeper assessment of technological maturity and practical applicability. Fifteen patents from different countries were reviewed. The largest number (8, 53%) belongs to the United States. China has the second place with 4 (27%). The remaining countries (the EU, Korea, and Russia) hold 1 patent (7% each). The present work emphasises the technological and engineering solutions associated with the integration of solar energy into gasification processes. The author’s design is free of the disadvantages of its counterparts and is a simplified design with a high degree of adaptability to various types of fuel, including brown coal, biomass, and other carbon-containing materials.