Wind loading on solar concentrators: some general considerations
A survey has been completed to examine the problems and complications arising from wind loading on solar concentrators. Wind loading is site specific and has an important bearing on the design, cost, performance, operation and maintenance, safety, survival, and replacement of solar collecting systems. Emphasis herein is on paraboloidal, two-axis tracking systems. Thermal receiver problems also are discussed. Wind characteristics are discussed from a general point of view; current methods for determining design wind speed are reviewed. Aerodynamic coefficients are defined and illustrative examples are presented. Wind tunnel testing is discussed, and environmental wind tunnels are reviewed; recent results on heliostat arrays are reviewed as well. Aeroelasticity in relation to structural design is discussed briefly. Wind loads, i.e., forces and moments, are proportional to the square of the mean wind velocity. Forces are proportional to the square of concentrator diameter, and moments are proportional to the cube of diameter. Thus, wind loads have an important bearing on size selection from both cost and performance standpoints. It is concluded that sufficient information exists so that reasonably accurate predictions of wind loading are possible for a given paraboloidal concentrator configuration, provided that reliable and relevant wind conditions are specified. Such predictions will be useful to the design engineer and to the systems engineer as well. Information is lacking, however, on wind effects in field arrays of paraboloidal concentrators. Wind tunnel tests have been performed on model heliostat arrays, but there are important aerodynamic differences between heliostats and paraboloidal dishes.
- Research Organization:
- California Institute of Technology (CalTech), Pasadena, CA (United States). Jet Propulsion Lab. (JPL)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AM04-80AL13137
- OSTI ID:
- 6517833
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/JPL-1060-66; JPL-PUB-83-101; ON: DE85000337
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions are illegible in microfiche products. Original copy available until stock is exhausted
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Mean and peak wind load reduction on heliostats
Thermal effects testing at the National Solar Thermal Test Facility
Related Subjects
PARABOLIC DISH REFLECTORS
WIND LOADS
SOLAR CONCENTRATORS
AERODYNAMICS
FIELD TESTS
HEAT LOSSES
HEAT TRANSFER
TESTING
VELOCITY
WIND
WIND TUNNELS
DYNAMIC LOADS
ENERGY LOSSES
ENERGY TRANSFER
EQUIPMENT
FLUID MECHANICS
LOSSES
MECHANICS
PARABOLIC REFLECTORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR REFLECTORS
TUNNELS
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
140702* - Solar Thermal Power Systems- Central Receiver
141000 - Solar Collectors & Concentrators