Parabolic-trough/flat-plate collector performance comparison

Conference · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1979

OSTI ID:5924890

Treadwell, G W

Surveys of industrial process energy requirements that may be met by the use of solar systems show that about one-third of all energy applications occur between 150/sup 0/F and 600/sup 0/F, and less than 3% occur below 150/sup 0/F. Performance comparisons have been made between flat-plate collectors of high quality and parabolic-trough collectors of current quality to identify the solar technology with the greatest potential for near-term impact over the temperature range that spans many process heat applications. The results indicate equal performance at temperatures as low as 110/sup 0/F. Since troughs are already functioning at 600/sup 0/F, the tentative conclusion is that parabolic troughs may reasonably be used for applications within the identified temperature range.

• Research Organization: Sandia Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-04-0789
• OSTI ID: 5924890
• Report Number(s): SAND-79-1296C; CONF-791024-2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
141000* -- Solar Collectors & Concentrators
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
CONCENTRATING COLLECTORS
ENERGY
ENERGY DEMAND
FLAT PLATE COLLECTORS
HEAT
INDUSTRY
PARABOLIC COLLECTORS
PARABOLIC TROUGH COLLECTORS
PERFORMANCE
PROCESS HEAT
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR PROCESS HEAT
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE