Abstract
An investigation for the parametric characterization of a solar paraboloid intended to receive a Stirling engine was studied in this work. This one comprises two principal parts; the first one consists of the design of a solar parabolic concentrator having an aperture area of 1.67 m2 with a focal distance of 52.65 cm. Its primary surface was covered by 152 aluminium facets distributed uniformly on eight equal petals. The optical parameters revealed a peak concentration ratio of 40 488, while average concentration ratio is 4920. The real focal distance and the dimension of the sunspot focused at the focal zone are given in experiments after a series of tests. The second part was devoted to the development of an analytical model based on the resolution of the heat equation using the variables separation method. This model adopted is able to predict the distribution of temperature and heat flux at the focal zone. By the application of Soltrace code, it is noted that the predicted results by the analytical model are in good agreement with those obtained by experiments.
Highlights
2 Materials and methods2.1 Solar concentrator designThe solar concentrator was designed in collaboration with the Centre of Renewable Energies Development
This peak of temperature is lower of 43 ◦C than that found in experiments; this variation of temperature recorded between the experimental value and that provided by the analytical model can be explained by the fact that the analytical model takes a constant value of the thermal diffusivity of the receiver flat without taking account of its significant variation with the rise in temperature
The work presented in this paper is the development of an experimental and analytical methodology in order to characterize the geometrical, optical and thermical parameters of a solar parabolic concentrator
Summary
The solar concentrator was designed in collaboration with the Centre of Renewable Energies Development. The size of each facet type and its position are carefully selected in order to ensure a good adherence with the primary surface of the parabolic concentrator during joining stage as indicated in Figure 1 which shows the six various aluminium facets. This setting stage of the facets on polished primary surface has a great role in the optical effectiveness of the concentrator, because any imperfection generates the dispersion of the solar rays reflected through the reflective surface of the concentrator, and a considerable reduction in flux concentrated at the focal zone.
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