Low-cost mirror concentrator based on inflated, double-walled, metallized, tubular films

Technical Report · Wed Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1981

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6482139· OSTI ID:6482139

Schwendeman, J. L.; Ball, III., G. L.; Leffingwell, J. W.; McClung, C. E.

A potentially low-cost, inflatable plastic solar mirror concentrator based on segments of a cylinder joined along the length of the collector on a plane passing through the axis of the absorber tube was designed and built. This design results in a savings of approximately 40% in the amount of window and mirror material and in a savings of about 20% of the land area occupied by a single collector when compared to a fully cylindrical one. The type of construction permits the assemblying of the mirror/window envelope to the collector without disturbing the collector frame, absorber tube, or the associated plumbing. Aluminum foil-plastic laminates were used as an alternative to aluminized polyester films, because of their potential low-cost and durability. Specially uv stabilized and polyester scrim reinforced flexible PVC film was developed for use as the outer cover material.

• Research Organization: Monsanto Research Corp., Dayton, OH (USA). Dayton Lab.
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-78AL04227
• OSTI ID: 6482139
• Report Number(s): MRC-DA-944; ALO-4227-6; ON: DE81027813
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
141000* -- Solar Collectors & Concentrators
ALUMINIUM
CHLORINATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
CONFIGURATION
COST
CYLINDRICAL CONFIGURATION
DESIGN
ELEMENTS
EQUIPMENT
ESTERS
FABRICATION
FILMS
HALOGENATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
INFLATABLE COLLECTORS
MATERIALS
METALS
MIRRORS
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
PERFORMANCE
PETROCHEMICALS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PLASTICS
POLYESTERS
POLYMERS
POLYVINYLS
PVC
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR CONCENTRATORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SYNTHETIC MATERIALS
TESTING
TUBES