Steady-state wind loading on parabolic trough solar collectors

Conference · Fri Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1980 · Am. Soc. Mech. Eng., (Pap.); (United States)

OSTI ID:6798092

Randall, D E; McBride, D D; Tate, R E

Two wind tunnel force and moment tests have been conducted on parabolic trough solar collector configurations. The tests were conducted in different flow field environments, one a uniform flow infinite airstream, the second a simulated atmospheric boundary layer flow with the models simulating a ground mounted installation. The force and moment characteristics of both isolated single module troughs and of trough modules within array configurations have been defined over both operational and stow attitudes. The influence of various geometric design parameters for collector modules and arrays has been established. Data indicate that forces and moments increase with mounting height and with trough aspect ratio. Collector modules interior to large arrays experience wind force reductions as high as 50-65 percent while appropriate fences or berms surrounding the arrays can provide exterior modules with protection of this order.

• Research Organization: Sandia Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM
• OSTI ID: 6798092
• Report Number(s): CONF-800804-
• Journal Information: Am. Soc. Mech. Eng., (Pap.); (United States), Journal Name: Am. Soc. Mech. Eng., (Pap.); (United States) Vol. 80-C2/SOL-20; ISSN ASMSA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
141000* -- Solar Collectors & Concentrators
AERODYNAMICS
BOUNDARY LAYERS
CONCENTRATING COLLECTORS
DESIGN
DYNAMIC LOADS
EQUIPMENT
FLUID MECHANICS
LAYERS
MECHANICS
PARABOLIC COLLECTORS
PARABOLIC TROUGH COLLECTORS
REYNOLDS NUMBER
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
STEADY-STATE CONDITIONS
TUNNELS
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
WIND LOADS
WIND TUNNELS