Central receiver solar thermal power system. Collector subsystem annual technical progress report

Technical Report · Sun Nov 14 04:00:00 EST 1976

OSTI ID:7321608

In the Boeing collector subsystem concept, operating with a central receiver installation, circular membrane reflectors formed with aluminized polyester film, direct sunlight to the central receiver. Transparent air-supported plastic enclosures protect the lightweight reflectors from the environment. Reflectors are individually aimed with a 2-axis gimbal, driven by digital-controlled stepper motors. Minicomputers, at various locations in the heliostat field, provide signals to the stepper motors. Additional details of the collector subsystem design for both the Pilot Plant preliminary design (PD) baseline and research experiments is given. As part of this effort, three heliostats and a drive and control assembly are being fabricated and tested to provide design data and verification of the PD. In addition, an extensive evaluation program is being conducted on the key plastic materials used in the protective enclosure and reflector. Performance tests on large-scale heliostats are being conducted at a desert test site in northeast Oregon. Items completed during the past quarter include: fabrication of protective enclosures (domes) and reflectors; installation and initiation of environmental testing of two domes at Boardman, Oregon; and a major portion of assembly/integration tests on the collector subsystem, including domes, reflectors and the drive and control assembly. (WDM)

• Research Organization: Boeing Engineering and Construction, Seattle, WA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7321608
• Report Number(s): SAN-1111-76-4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140702* -- Solar Thermal Power Systems-- Central Receiver
CENTRAL RECEIVERS
DESIGN
FABRICATION
HELIOSTATS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
POWER PLANTS
SOLAR POWER PLANTS
SOLAR THERMAL POWER PLANTS
SOLAR TRACKING
TESTING
TOWER FOCUS POWER PLANTS