In order to optimize the solar field output of parabolic trough collectors (PTCs), it is essential to study the influence of collector and absorber geometry on the optical performance. The optical ray-tracing model of PTC conceived for this purpose uses photogrammetrically measured concentrator geometry in commercial Monte Carlo ray-tracing software. The model has been verified with measurements of a scanning flux measurement system, measuring the solar flux density distribution close to the focal line of the PTC. The tool uses fiber optics and a charged coupled device camera to scan the focal area of a PTC module. Since it is able to quantitatively detect spilled light with good spatial resolution, it provides an evaluation of the optical efficiency of the PTC. For comparison of ray-tracing predictions with measurements, both flux maps and collector geometry have been measured under identical conditions on the Eurotrough prototype collector at the Plataforma Solar de Almería. The verification of the model is provided by three methods: the comparison of measured intercept factors with corresponding simulations, comparison of measured flux density distributions with corresponding ray-tracing predictions, and comparison of thermographically measured temperature distribution on the absorber surface with flux density distribution predicted for this surface. Examples of sensitivity studies performed with the validated model are shown.
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e-mail: bjoern.schiricke@dlr.de
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February 2009
Research Papers
Experimental Verification of Optical Modeling of Parabolic Trough Collectors by Flux Measurement
Björn Schiricke,
Björn Schiricke
German Aerospace Center (DLR),
e-mail: bjoern.schiricke@dlr.de
Institute of Technical Thermodynamics
, 51170 Cologne, Germany
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Robert Pitz-Paal,
Robert Pitz-Paal
German Aerospace Center (DLR),
Institute of Technical Thermodynamics
, 51170 Cologne, Germany
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Eckhard Lüpfert,
Eckhard Lüpfert
German Aerospace Center (DLR),
Institute of Technical Thermodynamics
, 51170 Cologne, Germany
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Klaus Pottler,
Klaus Pottler
German Aerospace Center (DLR),
Plataforma Solar de Almería
, 04200 Tabernas, Spain
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Markus Pfänder,
Markus Pfänder
German Aerospace Center (DLR),
Plataforma Solar de Almería
, 04200 Tabernas, Spain
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Klaus-J. Riffelmann,
Klaus-J. Riffelmann
Flagsol GmbH
, Mühlengasse 7, 50667 Cologne, Germany
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Andreas Neumann
Andreas Neumann
Solar Systems Pty. Ltd.
, 322 Burwood Road, Hawthorn, Victoria 3122, Australia
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Björn Schiricke
German Aerospace Center (DLR),
Institute of Technical Thermodynamics
, 51170 Cologne, Germanye-mail: bjoern.schiricke@dlr.de
Robert Pitz-Paal
German Aerospace Center (DLR),
Institute of Technical Thermodynamics
, 51170 Cologne, Germany
Eckhard Lüpfert
German Aerospace Center (DLR),
Institute of Technical Thermodynamics
, 51170 Cologne, Germany
Klaus Pottler
German Aerospace Center (DLR),
Plataforma Solar de Almería
, 04200 Tabernas, Spain
Markus Pfänder
German Aerospace Center (DLR),
Plataforma Solar de Almería
, 04200 Tabernas, Spain
Klaus-J. Riffelmann
Flagsol GmbH
, Mühlengasse 7, 50667 Cologne, Germany
Andreas Neumann
Solar Systems Pty. Ltd.
, 322 Burwood Road, Hawthorn, Victoria 3122, AustraliaJ. Sol. Energy Eng. Feb 2009, 131(1): 011004 (6 pages)
Published Online: January 6, 2009
Article history
Received:
July 9, 2007
Revised:
January 8, 2008
Published:
January 6, 2009
Citation
Schiricke, B., Pitz-Paal, R., Lüpfert, E., Pottler, K., Pfänder, M., Riffelmann, K., and Neumann, A. (January 6, 2009). "Experimental Verification of Optical Modeling of Parabolic Trough Collectors by Flux Measurement." ASME. J. Sol. Energy Eng. February 2009; 131(1): 011004. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.3027507
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