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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Rotating-prism, movable-mass solar energy system. Final report

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6927511
The device development of a rotating-prism, movable-mass, solar energy storage system is described in the report. The accompanying 22 minute, 35 mm slide show with cassette recorded narration is recommended as the best way to become familiar with the concepts and development work. The system is made of rectangular prisms which look like ''fat'' doors that contain energy storage material, specifically water and phase change media, for collecting, storing, and delivering solar energy. One side is the absorptive/radiative surface and the other large surface is insulated. A set of these prisms make up a wall section closely resembling a Trombe wall with insulation on one side. The unique feature is the relative position of the storage mass and insulation is changed by rotating the entire prism, not just moving the insulation. The apparently ''passive'' system thus can be ''actively'' controlled thus improving performance over the traditional Trombe wall. The many modes of operation are described. The device development included the research, design, and eventual construction of rotating prism storage assemblies. It included the design and development of a unique new air seal gasket. Actual prisms were installed to evaluate and demonstrate the viability of the concept.
Research Organization:
Solar Energy Engineering, Poland, OH (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
FG02-81R510330
OSTI ID:
6927511
Report Number(s):
DOE/R5/10330-2; ON: DE84008632
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English