Abstract
The Scheffler type concentrator is a curved metal reflector particularly suitable for solar thermal systems with a receiver fixed to the ground. Its operating principle is to deform the reflector throughout the year to optimize its performance in collecting sunlight. This study analyses the optical performance of a Scheffler reflector during the year. A CAD software tool is utilized to reproduce the mechanical deformations of a real Scheffler concentrator and the shape of the light spot on the receiver is analyzed by means of raytracing simulations. The starting configuration is the equinoctial paraboloid, which produces a point-like spot on the two equinox days only. On all other days of the year, this paraboloid is deformed in a suitable way in order to keep the spot as small as possible, but, even so, it is no longer a point-like spot. In the present work the simulated light distributions on the receiver, generated by the paraboloids (deformed or original), are compared. The results confirm the working principle of the Scheffler type concentrator and allow correctly sizing the receiver.
Highlights
The joint use of CAD3D software and commercial raytracing software makes it receiver as a function of the deformations applied to the mirror
Combining CAD3D results with raytracing simulations, the presented analyses calculate the light distribution created by a Scheffler reflector on a receiver
Among the various type of concentrators developed for the small thermal applications, the Scheffler type concentrator seems especially suitable for systems with fixed receivers
Summary
F.; Toni, F.; Jafrancesco, D.Combating climate change needs to exploit, in the best possible way, solar radiation, a famously renewable energy source.Currently, solar energy is mainly exploited for electricity production, especially by means of photovoltaic panels, but the production of thermal energy is gaining interest and efforts are currently being made to reduce the installation costs of such production.All current systems to produce thermal energy consist of one or more mirrors (seldom lenses) that redirect solar radiation towards a small target, but there are various types of solar device, such as concentrating systems, point focus collectors, linear array; each one is designed to be applied to a specific thermal energy production method.It should be considered that, in choosing the system to be implemented, some factors are often preponderant, such as efficiency, complexity, costs of implementation and maintenance.Solar systems that use thermal receivers must necessarily use pipes to transport the heat-transfer fluid. Combating climate change needs to exploit, in the best possible way, solar radiation, a famously renewable energy source. Solar energy is mainly exploited for electricity production, especially by means of photovoltaic panels, but the production of thermal energy is gaining interest and efforts are currently being made to reduce the installation costs of such production. Solar systems that use thermal receivers must necessarily use pipes to transport the heat-transfer fluid. For this reason, it is advantageous to fix the receiver to the ground and move only the concentrator mirror
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