Central receiver solar thermal power system: collector subsystem extended life test. Final report

Technical Report · Fri May 18 04:00:00 EDT 1979

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5690283· OSTI ID:5690283

To evaluate long term durability and stability of heliostat reflector and enclosure materials an extended life test program was performed on Research Experiment Heliostats by Boeing Engineering and Construction. The reflectors and enclosures were periodically evaluated and analyzed for the effects of dirt, sunlight, wind and thermal cycling on the mechanical and optical properties of Tedlar and changes in the Mylar reflector tension and reflectivity. During testing the heliostats were maintained and semi-annualy evaluated for optical and mechanical stability. The heliostats tested were located at the Boeing Boardman, Oregon test facility. The purpose of the program was to obtain data through measurements and observation to aid in heliostat design improvement. Certain weather and time related information, most reliably acquired by real time exposure testing, was sought through performance of mechanical and optical testing of the Boardman heliostats. The key areas of technical concern were: (1) enclosure and reflector optical property retention; (2) enclosure and reflector mechanical property retention; and (3) reflector creep (or loss in membrane tension) using bonded joints. In-place optical measurements as well as laboratory optical measurements on coupons cut from a heliostat, mechanical measurements from heliostat coupons, reflector sag measurements, and observations of the air supply system pressure stability and filter condition were made during the initial and two semi-annual test samplings. Results are summarized and discussed. (WHK)

• Research Organization: Boeing Engineering and Construction Co., Seattle, WA (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 5690283
• Report Number(s): DOE/ET/20424-1; SAN-1111-9
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140702* -- Solar Thermal Power Systems-- Central Receiver
141000 -- Solar Collectors & Concentrators
ALUMINIUM
COVERINGS
CREEP
DESIGN
ELEMENTS
ESTERS
FAILURES
FLUORINATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
HALOGENATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
HELIOSTATS
LIGHT TRANSMISSION
MATERIALS TESTING
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
METALS
MYLAR
NORTH AMERICA
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
OREGON
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC FLUORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
PACIFIC NORTHWEST REGION
PERFORMANCE TESTING
PETROCHEMICALS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLASTICS
POLYESTERS
POLYMERS
POLYVINYLS
POWER PLANTS
REFLECTIVITY
SERVICE LIFE
SOLAR CONCENTRATORS
SOLAR POWER PLANTS
SOLAR REFLECTORS
SOLAR THERMAL POWER PLANTS
STABILITY
STRESSES
SURFACE PROPERTIES
TEDLAR
TESTING
THERMAL CYCLING
TOWER FOCUS POWER PLANTS
USA
WIND