Exposure testing of solar absorber surfaces

S.W Moore

doi:10.1016/0165-1633(87)90037-2

Abstract

The Los Alamos National Laboratory has been involved in supprting, monitoring and conducting exposure testing of solar materials for approximately ten years. The Laboratory has provided technical monitoring of the IITRI [1], DSET [2], Lockheed [3], and Berry [4] contracts and has operated the Los Alamos Exposure Facility for over five years. This report will outline some of the past exposure testing, the testing still in progress, and describe some of the major findings. While this report will primarily emphasize solar absorber surfaces, some of the significant findings relative to advanced glazing will be discussed.

Highlights

The determination of materials durability is if not more important than initial performance or cost in establishing overall cost effectiveness
The research and development role is a continuation of our efforts to determine the long-term durability of some of the more promising materials developed in DOE-funded Droarams
Los Alamos continues to fund and provide technical monitoring of the DSE1 program that is focused on evaluating commercial materials

Summary

Introduction

The determination of materials durability is if not more important than initial performance or cost in establishing overall cost effectiveness. Many developmental materials were generated under funding by the DOE Program Research and Development Announcement (PRDA) and Request for Prcposal (RFP) processes. Many of these materials and products have been included in the Los Alamws exposure testing program in an attempt to identify those that mig))t evolve into durable commercial products. * ‘l’hiswork was !~upport.mlby t.h~11.!; Tet.hnoIc)q{nn, The research and development role is a continuation of our efforts to determine the long-term durability of some of the more promising materials developed in DOE-funded Droarams. In addition to determining durability effects and Drovidina manufacturer’s guidance for these materials, any ne; potentiality promising m~terials-have bezn included for exposure and evaluation

Temperature and W

Beckman 5270 Spectrophotometer

Findings

Nickel Substrate Materials