A flexibly controllable high-flux solar simulator for concentrated solar energy research from extreme magnitudes to uniform distributions

2022 ◽  
Vol 157 ◽  
pp. 112084
Author(s):  
Jieyang Li ◽  
Jinpeng Hu ◽  
Meng Lin
Keyword(s):  
Solar Energy ◽  
High Flux ◽  
Energy Research ◽  
Solar Simulator ◽  
Uniform Distributions ◽  
Concentrated Solar Energy

A Free and Open Source Monte Carlo Ray Tracing Program for Concentrating Solar Energy Research

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jo¨rg Petrasch
Keyword(s):  
Monte Carlo ◽  
Solar Energy ◽  
Open Source ◽  
Ray Tracing ◽  
Modular Design ◽  
Numerical Models ◽  
Solar Furnace ◽  
High Flux ◽  
Energy Research ◽  
Solar Simulator

A free and open source Monte Carlo ray-tracing program for concentrating solar energy research and development is presented. The program uses non energy partitioning Monte Carlo methods to model radiative exchange between arbitrarily arranged surfaces. Surface models include concentrating geometries, such as spherical, parabolic, and elliptical concentrators as well as compound parabolic concentrators. The program’s modular design allows implementation of additional surface and source models. The program has been thoroughly tested and experimentally validated. It has been used to model several concentrating devices including PSI’s high flux solar furnace and ETH’s high flux solar simulator. Furthermore, it has been used to design PSI’s high flux solar simulator and UFL’s high flux solar simulator. The code is particularly suited to provide radiative boundary conditions for numerical models of high temperature solar receivers and solar thermochemical reactors.

Heliostat Attitude Control Strategy in the Solar Energy Research Facility of Valparaiso University

2019 ◽  
Vol 141 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shahin S. Nudehi ◽  
G. Scott Duncan ◽  
Luke J. Venstrom
Keyword(s):  
Solar Energy ◽  
Control Strategy ◽  
Attitude Control ◽  
Tracking Error ◽  
Feedback Gain ◽  
Research Facility ◽  
Energy Research ◽  
Nonlinear Dynamic Model ◽  
Concentrated Solar Energy ◽  
Tracking Strategy

In this paper, a continuous tracking strategy for the heliostat in the James S. Markiewicz Concentrated Solar Energy Research Facility at Valparaiso University is developed. A model of the nonlinear dynamics of the heliostat motion is developed and the open-loop control strategy is presented. Asymptotic stability of the heliostat control using the Lyapunov and LaSalle’s theorems was proven. Simulations using the nonlinear dynamic model are presented and interpreted to identify the feedback gain that maximizes the time response of the heliostat without introducing oscillations in its motion. Finally, the control strategy is put to the test during summertime operation. The data presented show that the tracking strategy has an root mean square (RMS) tracking error of 0.058 mrad, where the error is defined as the difference between the desired and actual heliostat positions. Images of the aperture of a high-temperature solar receiver over 8 h of testing are also presented to qualitatively demonstrate the success of the tracking strategy.

A Comparison Between the Monte Carlo Ray Trace and the FLUENT Discrete Ordinates Methods for Treating Solar Input to a Particle Receiver

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmet Murat Mecit ◽  
Fletcher Miller
Keyword(s):  
Monte Carlo ◽  
Solar Energy ◽  
Temperature Fields ◽  
Discrete Ordinates ◽  
Solar Simulator ◽  
Ansys Fluent ◽  
Carrier Fluid ◽  
Concentrated Solar Energy ◽  
Ray Trace ◽  
Solar Receiver

A new type of high temperature solar receiver for Brayton Cycle power towers is being designed and built in the Combustion and Solar Energy Laboratory at San Diego State University under a DOE Sunshot Award. The Small Particle Solar Receiver is a pressurized vessel with a window to admit concentrated solar radiation that utilizes a gas-particle suspension for absorption and heat transfer. As the particles absorb the radiation that enters the receiver through the window, the carrier fluid (air in this case) heats which oxidizes the particles and the flow leaves the receiver as a clear gas stream. After passing through an in-line combustor if needed, this hot gas is used to power a turbine to generate electricity. The numerical modelling of the receiver is broken into three main pieces: Monte Carlo Ray Trace (MCRT) method (written in FORTRAN), ANSYS Fluent (CFD), and the User Defined function (written in C code) for oxidation. Each piece has its advantages, disadvantages, and limitations and the three pieces are coupled to finalize the calculation. While we have successfully demonstrated this approach to obtaining the velocity and temperature fields, one big challenge to this method is that the definition of the geometry is a time consuming programming task when using MCRT. On the other hand, arbitrary geometries can be easily modelled by Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) codes such as FLUENT. The goal of this study is to limit the use of MCRT method to determining the appropriate input boundary condition on the outside of the window of the receiver and to use the built-in Discrete Ordinates (DO) method for all the radiation internal to the receiver and leaving the receiver due to emission. To reach the goal, this paper focuses on the DO method implemented within FLUENT. An earlier study on this subject is based and advanced. Appropriate radiation input for the DO method is extensively discussed. MIRVAL is used to simulate the heliostat field and VEGAS is used to simulate a lab-scale solar simulator; both of these codes utilize the MCRT method and provide intensity information on a surface. Output from these codes is discretized into DO parameters allowing the solution to proceed in FLUENT. Suitable benchmarks in FLUENT are used in a cylindrical geometry representing the receiver for the comparison and validation. This method will allow FLUENT to be used for a variety of problems involving concentrated solar energy.

Solar Production of Zinc from the Zinc Silicate Ore Willemite

2000 ◽  
Vol 123 (2) ◽  
pp. 98-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anke Weidenkaff ◽  
Armin Reller ◽  
Aldo Steinfeld
Keyword(s):  
Solar Energy ◽  
Solar Furnace ◽  
Zinc Silicate ◽  
High Flux ◽  
Concentrated Solar Energy ◽  
Thermal Extraction

The thermal extraction of zinc from its ore willemite, Zn2SiO4, is investigated using concentrated solar energy. Experiments conducted at above 1750 K in a high-flux solar furnace yielded the products Zn(g), O2, and SiO2l.

Energy balance and performance assessment of PV systems installed at a positive-energy building (PEB) solar energy research centre

Solar Energy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 212 ◽  
pp. 258-274
Author(s):  
C. Zomer ◽  
I. Custódio ◽  
S. Goulart ◽  
S. Mantelli ◽  
G. Martins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Balance ◽  
Solar Energy ◽  
Performance Assessment ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Positive Energy ◽  
Energy Research ◽  
Pv Systems ◽  
And Performance

scholarly journals Waste and Solar Energy: An Eco-Friendly Way for Glass Melting

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 16
Author(s):  
Isabel Padilla ◽  
Maximina Romero ◽  
José I. Robla ◽  
Aurora López-Delgado
Keyword(s):  
Solar Energy ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Glass Melting ◽  
Glass Network ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Concentrated Solar Energy ◽  
Calcium Source ◽  
The Aluminum Industry

In this work, concentrated solar energy (CSE) was applied to an energy-intensive process such as the vitrification of waste with the aim of manufacturing glasses. Different types of waste were used as raw materials: a hazardous waste from the aluminum industry as aluminum source; two residues from the food industry (eggshell and mussel shell) and dolomite ore as calcium source; quartz sand was also employed as glass network former. The use of CSE allowed obtaining glasses in the SiO2-Al2O3-CaO system at exposure time as short as 15 min. The raw materials, their mixtures, and the resulting glasses were characterized by means of X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, and differential thermal analysis. The feasibility of combining a renewable energy, as solar energy and different waste for the manufacture of glasses, would highly contribute to circular economy and environmental sustainability.

Behavior of a Heat-Protective Material Based on Al2O3 and SiO2 Fibers under Exposure to Concentrated Solar Energy Flux

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Kh. Suleimanov ◽  
V. G. Babashov ◽  
M. U. Dzhanklich ◽  
V. G. Dyskin ◽  
M. I. Daskovskii ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Energy ◽  
Energy Flux ◽  
Protective Material ◽  
Concentrated Solar Energy ◽  
Solar Energy Flux

scholarly journals Solid-State Redox Kinetics of CeO2 in Two-Step Solar CH4 Partial Oxidation and Thermochemical CO2 Conversion

Catalysts ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 723
Author(s):  
Mahesh Muraleedharan Nair ◽  
Stéphane Abanades
Keyword(s):  
Solid State ◽  
Solar Energy ◽  
Kinetic Models ◽  
Oxygen Carrier ◽  
Co2 Conversion ◽  
Oxidation Reactions ◽  
Redox Kinetics ◽  
Concentrated Solar Energy ◽  
Ceria Reduction ◽  
Kinetics Of

The CeO2/CeO2−δ redox system occupies a unique position as an oxygen carrier in chemical looping processes for producing solar fuels, using concentrated solar energy. The two-step thermochemical ceria-based cycle for the production of synthesis gas from methane and solar energy, followed by CO2 splitting, was considered in this work. This topic concerns one of the emerging and most promising processes for the recycling and valorization of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. The development of redox-active catalysts with enhanced efficiency for solar thermochemical fuel production and CO2 conversion is a highly demanding and challenging topic. The determination of redox reaction kinetics is crucial for process design and optimization. In this study, the solid-state redox kinetics of CeO2 in the two-step process with CH4 as the reducing agent and CO2 as the oxidizing agent was investigated in an original prototype solar thermogravimetric reactor equipped with a parabolic dish solar concentrator. In particular, the ceria reduction and re-oxidation reactions were carried out under isothermal conditions. Several solid-state kinetic models based on reaction order, nucleation, shrinking core, and diffusion were utilized for deducing the reaction mechanisms. It was observed that both ceria reduction with CH4 and re-oxidation with CO2 were best represented by a 2D nucleation and nuclei growth model under the applied conditions. The kinetic models exhibiting the best agreement with the experimental reaction data were used to estimate the kinetic parameters. The values of apparent activation energies (~80 kJ·mol−1 for reduction and ~10 kJ·mol−1 for re-oxidation) and pre-exponential factors (~2–9 s−1 for reduction and ~123–253 s−1 for re-oxidation) were obtained from the Arrhenius plots.

Design of a New 45 kWe High-Flux Solar Simulator for High-Temperature Solar Thermal and Thermo-Chemical Research

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine R. Krueger ◽  
Jane H. Davidson ◽  
Wojciech Lipin´ski
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Focal Plane ◽  
Flux Distribution ◽  
Solar Thermal ◽  
Optimized Design ◽  
High Flux ◽  
Chemical Research ◽  
Solar Simulator ◽  
Peak Flux ◽  
The Common

In this paper, we present a systematic procedure to design a solar simulator for high-temperature concentrated solar thermal and thermo-chemical research. The 45 kWe simulator consists of seven identical radiation units of common focus, each comprised of a 6.5 kWe xenon arc lamp close-coupled to a precision reflector in the shape of a truncated ellipsoid. The size and shape of each reflector is optimized by a Monte Carlo ray tracing analysis to achieve multiple design objectives, including high transfer efficiency of radiation from the lamps to the common focal plane and desired flux distribution. Based on the numerical results, the final optimized design will deliver 7.5 kW over a 6-cm diameter circular disc located in the focal plane, with a peak flux approaching 3.7 MW/m2.

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