Solar concentrator flux distributions using backward ray tracing.
Applied Optics
|March 10, 2010
Summary
This study analyzes solar flux in concentrators with surface errors. A ray-tracing method quantifies flux distribution, accounting for solar disk variations and optical imperfections.
Area of Science:
- Solar Energy Engineering
- Optical Physics
- Thermal Sciences
Background:
- Solar concentrators are crucial for efficient solar energy conversion.
- Surface imperfections and defocusing significantly impact solar concentrator performance.
- Accurate flux distribution prediction is essential for optimizing solar receiver design.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine solar flux distributions in parabolic and circular cylinder solar concentrators.
- To investigate the effects of surface slope errors and defocusing on flux patterns.
- To develop a robust method for analyzing flux in imperfect solar concentrator systems.
Main Methods:
- A novel ray-tracing technique was employed, tracing rays from the absorber back to the sun.
- The solar disk was modeled using various representations, weighting rays based on their origin on the solar disk.
- Flux at absorber points was calculated by summing the contributions of individual rays.
Main Results:
- The developed method successfully determined flux distributions for both parabolic and circular cylinder concentrators.
- The impact of surface slope errors and defocusing on flux patterns was quantified.
- The study demonstrated the sensitivity of flux distribution to solar disk modeling.
Conclusions:
- The ray-tracing approach provides an effective means to analyze solar flux in concentrators with optical aberrations.
- Understanding flux distribution is critical for improving the efficiency and reliability of solar thermal systems.
- Further research can refine solar disk models and explore advanced concentrator designs.
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