Advanced evacuated tubular concentrator research
Previous research projects led to the conceptual development and proof-of-concept of an advanced evacuated concentrating solar collector tube. The basic idea involves the integration of a nonimaging Compound Parabolic Concentrator (CPC) inside an evacuated tube and coupled to a spectrally selective absorber. An experimental panel of these tubes achieved the highest operating efficiency at high temperatures ever measured with a non-tracking stationary solar collector. Subsequent studies have indicated that a mass-producible collector, incorporating the same concepts, can be developed which will deliver excellent performance across a broad range of temperatures, extending from about 50{degrees}C (suitable for domestic hot water and space heating) to well above 200{degrees}C (suitable for space cooling, process steam and many other end uses). Some form of advanced Integrated CPC (ICPC) remains the only simple and effective method for delivering solar thermal energy efficiently throughout the temperature range from 50{degrees}C to about 300{degrees}C without tracking. It has the potential to make practical and economical several cooling technologies which are otherwise not viable. In addition to its potential for driving cooling systems, this technology also provides a highly versatile solar source for virtually all thermal end uses including general purpose space and domestic hot water heating as well as industrial process heat. Research efforts have been directed towards designing and prototyping a manufacturable version of such a collector tube. We have been pursuing several paths. These include: (1) a small tube version, 52mm in diameter, based on the use of the T-17 commercially produced fluorescent glass tubing, which is the largest size lamp tubing produced in high volume in the United States, and (2) a large tube version, 125mm in diameter, compatible with the commercial design manufactured until recently by Corning France (the CORTEC collector).
- Research Organization:
- Chicago Univ., IL (United States). Enrico Fermi Inst.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- DOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- FG03-85SF15753; AC02-80ER10558; AC04-81AL16223; AC03-82SF11655
- OSTI ID:
- 5214394
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/SF/15753-T1; ON: DE92015029
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
141000* -- Solar Collectors & Concentrators
CONVERSION
DESIGN
DOCUMENT TYPES
ENERGY CONVERSION
EQUIPMENT
EVACUATED COLLECTORS
EVACUATED TUBE COLLECTORS
FLUORESCENT LAMPS
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
LIGHT BULBS
PARABOLIC REFLECTORS
PARABOLIC TROUGH REFLECTORS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
PROGRESS REPORT
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR CONCENTRATORS
SOLAR ENERGY CONVERSION
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR REFLECTORS
SOLAR THERMAL CONVERSION
TESTING