Performance characteristics of a 1. 8 by 3. 7 meter Fresnel lens solar concentrator

Technical Report · Mon Feb 12 04:00:00 EST 1979

OSTI ID:5754330

Hastings, L J; Allums, S L

Line-focusing acrylic Fresnel lenses with application potential in the 200 to 370 C range were analytically and experimentally investigated. The measured solar concentration characteristics of a 1.8 by 3.7 m lens and its utilization in a solar collection mode are presented. A measured peak concentration ratio of 62 with 90 percent of the transmitted energy focused into a 5.0cm width was achieved. A peak concentration of 59 and a 90 percent target width of 4.3 cm were analytically computed. The experimental and analytical lens transmittance was 78 percent and 86 percent, respectively. The lens was also interfaced with a nonevacuated receiver assembly and operated in the collection mode. With a natural oxide absorber tube coating (alpha/epsilon = 0.79/0.10), the measured collection efficiency ranged from 43 percent to 200 C to 34 percent at 260 C. Efficiency improvements to the 40 to 50 percent range can be achieved with second generation lenses and higher performance absorptive coatings.

• Research Organization: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Huntsville, AL (USA). George C. Marshall Space Flight Center
• OSTI ID: 5754330
• Report Number(s): N-79-20495
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
141000* -- Solar Collectors & Concentrators
CONCENTRATING COLLECTORS
CONCENTRATION RATIO
EQUIPMENT
ESTERS
FRESNEL LENS
LENSES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
PERFORMANCE
POLYACRYLATES
POLYMERS
POLYVINYLS
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR CONCENTRATORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT