The set of optical models that is implemented in ray-tracing software determines the accuracy of its output. A sensitivity analysis was carried out using a powerful in-house program, which provides a large number of surface reflectance and scattering models and in addition, can also run spectral simulations. A linear Fresnel collector was selected as a test case together with the most accurate data that can be found in the literature for the optical properties of its components. The test results indicate that simulations based on constant values, such as mostly provided by the manufacturer, are generally inaccurate and a spectral simulation is not essential for thermal applications.
Issue Section:
Technical Brief
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