Simulation of point light concentration with parabolic trough collector

Andriy Danylyuk; Marcus Zettl; Mark Lynass

doi:10.1117/12.861268

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24 August 2010 Simulation of point light concentration with parabolic trough collector

Andriy Danylyuk, Marcus Zettl, Mark Lynass

Proceedings Volume 7769, High and Low Concentrator Systems for Solar Electric Applications V; 77690K (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.861268
Event: SPIE Solar Energy + Technology, 2010, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

As the amount of solar generated energy usage increases worldwide, researches are turning to more advanced methods to increase collection efficiencies and drive down system costs. In this paper, four different optical system designs for solar concentrator applications are discussed. Each of the designs studied utilizes a parabolic trough optical element. The use of the parabolic trough in conjunction with a secondary optical component eliminates the need for expensive complicated 2-axis tracking, whilst still allowing the precise point focus normally only possible with more complex paraboloid systems. The result is an optical system, which offers all the advantages of a linear focus geometry combined with the possibility to utilize point focus concentration. The results were obtained using photometric geometrical ray tracing methods. Ideal surface simulations were initially used to separate surface from geometrical loss contributions. Later, more realistic simulations, including surface and reflectivity data of typical manufacturing methods and materials, were used to compare optical output power densities and system losses. For the systems studied, the minimum and maximum optical efficiencies obtained were 76.73% and 81% respectively. The AM 1.5 solar spectrum power densities in the absorption plane ranged from 50 to 195.8Wm^-2.

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Andriy Danylyuk, Marcus Zettl, and Mark Lynass "Simulation of point light concentration with parabolic trough collector", Proc. SPIE 7769, High and Low Concentrator Systems for Solar Electric Applications V, 77690K (24 August 2010); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.861268

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