Development of sheet molding compound solar collectors with molded-in silvered glass reflective surfaces
An approach to the fabrication of a line-focusng parabolic trough reflector structure which offers the potential of high performance while utilizing mass production type technology with potential for low cost is discussed. The concept is one of a molded structure of fiber reinforced plastic with an integrally molded silvered glass reflective surface. Sheet molding compound (SMC), a mixture of glass fibers and inorganic fillers in polyester resin, has been selected for evaluation as representative of reinforced plastic molding materials. The purpose of the work was to establish the feasibility of molding glass mirrors into SMC structural trough panels. If the effort proved successful, the next stage of development would be demonstration of the structure in a trough collector which incorporates individual SMC reflector panels. The trough has a 2 x 6 m aperture with six individual SMC panels mounted on a torque tube as the main support structure. Results are described. (WHK)
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 5287097
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-80-0702C; CONF-800686-1
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Society of Manufacturing Engineering Composites conference, Los Angeles, CA, USA, 10 Jun 1980
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
PARABOLIC REFLECTORS
FABRICATION
MOLDING MATERIALS
PARABOLIC TROUGH COLLECTORS
FIBERGLASS
FRACTURING
GLASS
MATERIALS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MIRRORS
MOLDING
RESINS
SOLAR REFLECTORS
STRAINS
STRESSES
SUPPORTS
WEATHERING
COMMINUTION
CONCENTRATING COLLECTORS
EQUIPMENT
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
PARABOLIC COLLECTORS
PETROCHEMICALS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
POLYMERS
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR CONCENTRATORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
141000* - Solar Collectors & Concentrators