What would you do with a used Boeing 747? Winner!

emperor_dane won our contest asking “What would you do with a used Boeing 747” — congrats (they won a Pocket Ref, not a plane – Maybe next time)…

a used Boeing 747 could be turned into 2 huge solar-thermal collectors. The cylindrical shape of the passenger area would be perfect for 2 half-cylinder concentrators. these concentrators, once covered with mylar or similar reflective material would concentrate solar light onto a central pipe, painted black. finally the systems could use the plane’s internal coolant/ temperature control systems as a heat exchanger. finally the fluid that convects through the exchanger could run through the original jet’s fuel pump to act as a generator, using convective forces to generate electricity from otherwise considered refuse. here is a diagram -emperor dane

MAKE: Blog: What would you do with a used Boeing 747? – Link.