Heliostat operation at the Central Receiver Test Facility (1978-1980)

Technical Report · Wed Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1981

OSTI ID:6277850

Holmes, J T

The data and conclusions are presented for the 222 CRTF heliostats that have been in operation from 1978 through 1980. The CRTF beam produces a total power of 5.5 MWth and a peak intensity of 2250 kW/m/sup 2/ near solar noon. A new safe operating strategy has recently been implemented. Improvements in the targeting accuracy have been made. The mirror reflectivity is maintained near 80% by cleaning with natural rains or snow. The CRTF heliostats have logged almost 300,000 operating hours by the end of 1980.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• OSTI ID: 6277850
• Report Number(s): SAND-81-0275-Rev.; ON: DE81031926
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140702* -- Solar Thermal Power Systems-- Central Receiver
141000 -- Solar Collectors & Concentrators
CENTRAL RECEIVER TEST FACILITY
CLEANING
COMPUTERIZED CONTROL SYSTEMS
CONTROL SYSTEMS
EQUIPMENT
HELIOSTATS
MAINTENANCE
OPERATION
PERFORMANCE
SAFETY
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
TEST FACILITIES
WASHING