High concentration two-stage optics for parabolic trough solar collectors with tubular absorber and large rim angle

Journal Article · Mon Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1990 · Solar Energy (Journal of Solar Energy Science and Engineering); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0038-092X(91)90114-C· OSTI ID:5915629

Collares-Pereira, M ^[1]; Gordon, J M ^[2]; Rabl, A ^[3]; Winston, R ^[4]

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1. Centro para a Conservacao de Energia, Amadora (Portugal)
2. Ben Gurion Univ. of the Negev, Beersheva (Israel)
3. Centre d'Energetique, Paris (France)
4. Univ. of Chicago, IL (United States)

A new two-stage optical design is proposed for parabolic trough solar collectors with tubular absorbers. It can boost the concentration ratio by a factor of 2.5 relative to the conventional design, while maintaining the large rim angles (i.e., low nominal f-numbers) that are desirable for practical and economical reasons. The second state involves asymmetric nonimaging concentrators of the CPC type, facing segments of the parabolic first stage. The second stage can be accommodated inside an evacuated receiver, allowing the use of first-surface silvered reflectors. The low heat loss of this design opens the possibility of producing steam at temperatures and pressures of conventional power plants, using only one-axis tracking. The improvement in conversion efficiency would be substantial.

• OSTI ID: 5915629
• Journal Information: Solar Energy (Journal of Solar Energy Science and Engineering); (United States), Journal Name: Solar Energy (Journal of Solar Energy Science and Engineering); (United States) Vol. 47:6; ISSN SRENA; ISSN 0038-092X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
141000* -- Solar Collectors & Concentrators
COMPOUND PARABOLIC CONCENTRATORS
CONCENTRATING COLLECTORS
DESIGN
EQUIPMENT
OPTICS
PARABOLIC COLLECTORS
PARABOLIC TROUGH COLLECTORS
POWER PLANTS
SOLAR ABSORBERS
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR CONCENTRATORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR POWER PLANTS
SOLAR RECEIVERS
SOLAR REFLECTORS
SOLAR THERMAL POWER PLANTS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
THERMODYNAMICS