High performance solar collector amenable to mass production

Conference · Tue Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1982 · Energy Technol. (Wash., D.C.); (United States)

OSTI ID:5285071

Winston, R; O'Gollagher, J J; Peek, S C; Snail, K

The high temperature thermal performance of a mass producible evacuated tube solar collector (ETC) has been significantly improved by shaping the outer glass envelope into the profile of a nonimaging Compound Parabolic Concentrator (CPC). Placing the reflector surface in a vacuum eliminates degradation of the mirror's reflectance. The transparent part of the glass vacuum also functions as a window and thus eliminates the need for an external cover glazing. This paper describes the design, fabrication, and preliminary test results for a panel of prototype tubes based on this concept. A schematic illustration of the prototype design is shown. Optical and thermal performance, for several parameters, are measured. The performance curve shows efficiencies greater than 40% across the full range of temperature.

• Research Organization: The Enrico Fermi Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-78CS05350
• OSTI ID: 5285071
• Report Number(s): CONF-820217-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Energy Technol. (Wash., D.C.); (United States) Journal Volume: 9
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
141000* -- Solar Collectors & Concentrators
COMPOUND PARABOLIC CONCENTRATORS
DESIGN
EFFICIENCY
EQUIPMENT
EVACUATED COLLECTORS
EVACUATED TUBE COLLECTORS
FABRICATION
PERFORMANCE TESTING
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR CONCENTRATORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR REFLECTORS
TESTING
THERMAL EFFICIENCY
VACUUM SYSTEMS