Solar profile intensity gauge (SPIG) for receiver tube subsystem optimization in concentrating collectors
Significant improvements in the performance of solar thermal collectors and photovoltaic concentration collectors have been demonstrated with alternative receiver tube configuration designs. Optimal receiver designs for each collector produced by the variety of manufacturers involved in solar thermal or solar photovoltaic systems need quick and efficient means of providing the empirical data necessary to perform receiver tube optimization engineering analysis. To measure incident radiation in the region of the focal point of concentrating mirrors, a solar profile intensity gauge (SPIG) has been developed by the BDM Corporation under contract to Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico. BDM design codes have also been prepared for the optimization of the receiver tube subsystem (RTS) on linear parabolic troughs. The computer model consists of an electrical network equivalent thermal grid model of the receiver tube and annulus. The insolation defined by the SPIG is entered as current sources to the model which in turn calculates temperatures and heat flows. the key trade-off between the collector intercept and thermal energy losses is performed to define the geometry and dimensions of the RTS that provide maximum thermal energy gains. Early applications of the SPIG and BDM RTS models have shown very accurate performance predictions with the use of the RTS Codes and significant performance improvements in linear parabolic troughs which employ altered RTS geometries. The SPIG and computer models are described herein, as are the background, purpose, and preliminary findings.
- Research Organization:
- BDM Corp., Albuquerque, NM
- OSTI ID:
- 5900031
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-810509-(Vol.1)
- Journal Information:
- Proc. Annu. Meet. - Am. Sect. Int. Sol. Energy Soc.; (United States), Journal Name: Proc. Annu. Meet. - Am. Sect. Int. Sol. Energy Soc.; (United States) Vol. 4.1; ISSN PMSID
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
141000* -- Solar Collectors & Concentrators
CALORIMETERS
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
CONCENTRATING COLLECTORS
CONCENTRATOR SOLAR CELLS
DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEMS
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
EQUIPMENT
INSOLATION
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
NETWORK ANALYSIS
OPTIMIZATION
PARABOLIC COLLECTORS
PARABOLIC TROUGH COLLECTORS
PERFORMANCE
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
SIMULATION
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR FLUX
SOLAR RECEIVERS
THERMAL ANALYSIS