Development of plastic honeycomb flat-plate solar collectors
An analytical and experimental program was conducted to develop high performance flat plate solar collectors for use in the temperature range of 355 to 395/sup 0/K using thin-film transparent plastic honeycomb. Thermal analyses showed that the efficiencies of properly designed plastic honeycomb covered collectors were substantially higher than those of comparable non-honeycomb systems. Candidate plastics were selected, and hexagonal shaped honeycombs were fabricated using Lexan, Mylar, Tedlar, and Kapton. Various honeycomb aspect ratios (L/D) between 1 and 10 were studied to determine the optimum. Full scale honeycomb collectors were constructed and tested under ambient weather conditions to determine actual performance and confirm analytical predictions. Experimental results showed that both instantaneous efficiency and diurnal performance of plastic honeycomb collectors with aspect ratios greater than or equal to 5 were substantially higher than non-honeycomb flat plate collectors. Efficiencies in excess of 50 percent were obtained for temperatures up to 383/sup 0/K (230/sup 0/F) for honeycomb collectors. Lexan and Mylar honeycomb collectors provided the highest efficiencies. Results of cost studies show that both Lexan and Mylar honeycomb collectors compared to present non-honeycomb systems can lower initial collector costs based on a comparison of areas required to collect an equivalent amount of energy over a daily period.
- Research Organization:
- Lockheed Missiles and Space Co., Palo Alto, CA (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- E(04-3)-1081
- OSTI ID:
- 7237800
- Report Number(s):
- SAN-1081-76/1; LMSC/D-462879
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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