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.

Design of Ellipsoidal Specular Reflectors of 70 kW High-Flux Solar Simulator

2013 ◽  
Vol 827 ◽  
pp. 163-168
Author(s):  
Zi Jin Li ◽  
Jin Liang Xu
Keyword(s):  
Monte Carlo ◽  
Mathematical Models ◽  
Ray Tracing ◽  
High Flux ◽  
Solar Simulator ◽  
Ray Tracing Method ◽  
Maximum Light ◽  
Major Parameter ◽  
Tracing Method

With the constraint of maximum light-concentrating efficiency, we designed a condenser for a 70 kW high-flux solar simulator. The mathematical models of the optical condenser unit and system were established to determine the condenser shape parameters.The Monte Carlo ray-tracing method was applied to compute the the light-concentrating efficiency for the condenser. It is shown that the truncation angle is the major parameter to influence the light-concentrating efficiency.When the truncation angle is 60 degrees, the condenser aberration is balanced by the truncation loss to reach the maximum light-concentrating efficiency.

scholarly journals Mathematical Models for Simulation and Optimization of High-Flux Solar Furnaces

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 65 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Carlos Garcia Pereira ◽  
Jorge Cruz Fernandes ◽  
Luís Guerra Rosa
Keyword(s):  
Ray Tracing ◽  
Random Distribution ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Simulation Models ◽  
Solar Furnace ◽  
High Flux ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Simulation And Optimization ◽  
Spherical Curvature ◽  
Optical Paths

High-flux solar furnaces distributed throughout the world have been designed and constructed individually, i.e., on a one-by-one basis because there are several possible optical configurations that must take into account the geographical location and the maximum power to be attained. In this work, three ray-tracing models were developed to simulate the optical paths travelled by sun rays in solar furnaces of high concentration using as an example, the solar furnace SF60 of the Plataforma Solar de Almería, in Spain. All these simulation models are supported by mathematical constructions, which are also presented. The first model assumes a random distribution of sun rays coming from a concentrator with spherical curvature. The second model assumes that a random distribution of parallel rays coming from the heliostat is reflected by a concentrator with spherical curvature. Finally, the third model considers that the random parallel rays are reflected by a concentrator with a paraboloid curvature. The three models are all important in optical geometry, although the paraboloid model is more adequate to optimize solar furnaces. The models are illustrated by studying the influence of mirror positioning and shutter attenuation. Additionally, ray-tracing simulations confirmed the possibility to attain homogenous distribution of flux by means of double reflexion using two paraboloid surfaces.

Heat-Flux Analysis of Solar Furnace Using the Monte Carlo Ray-Tracing Method

2011 ◽  
Vol 35 (10) ◽  
pp. 989-996 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyun-Jin Lee ◽  
Jong-Kyu Kim ◽  
Sang-Nam Lee ◽  
Yong-Heack Kang
Keyword(s):  
Heat Flux ◽  
Monte Carlo ◽  
Ray Tracing ◽  
Solar Furnace ◽  
Flux Analysis ◽  
Ray Tracing Method ◽  
Tracing Method

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.

scholarly journals Homogeneous Flux Distribution in High-Flux Solar Furnaces

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 433 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Carlos Garcia Pereira ◽  
José Rodríguez ◽  
Jorge Cruz Fernandes ◽  
Luís Guerra Rosa
Keyword(s):  
Ray Tracing ◽  
Flux Distribution ◽  
Thermal Power ◽  
Solar Furnace ◽  
High Flux ◽  
Radiation Distribution ◽  
Homogenous Distribution ◽  
Modelling Studies ◽  
Simulation Results ◽  
Ray Tracing Simulation

Comparisons between experimental data and ray-tracing simulation results are presented for the high-flux SF60 solar furnace available at the Plataforma Solar de Almeria, Spain, which has an estimated thermal power of 60 kW. Since an important issue in many applications of solar concentrated radiation is to obtain a radiation distribution that is as homogeneous as possible over the central working area, so-called radiation homogenisers were also used but the degree of success achieved is just satisfactory, as the results show. Finally, further modelling studies using ray-tracing simulations aiming to attain a homogenous distribution of flux by means of double reflexion using two paraboloid surfaces are presented.

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.

scholarly journals Optimized Cool Coatings as a Strategy to Improve Urban Equivalent Albedo at Various Latitudes

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 1335
Author(s):  
Mattia Manni ◽  
Andrea Nicolini
Keyword(s):  
Monte Carlo ◽  
Optical Properties ◽  
Numerical Model ◽  
Ray Tracing ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Numerical Models ◽  
Winter Season ◽  
Angle Of Incidence ◽  
Mitigation Potential ◽  
Selective Behavior

This research study aimed to investigate the influences of angular-selective retro-reflective (AS-RR) and retro-reflective (RR) materials on the urban equivalent albedo (αeq). Full ray tracing solar analyses were conducted through the Monte Carlo-based numerical model validated in a previous work. Different geometry scenarios with different patterns of urban density were modelled. AS-RR and RR materials were alternately applied to the street and to the most irradiated façade. AS-RR materials were proposed to enhance the αeq of the urban environment particularly during summer. Solar analyses were reiterated for three latitudes (i.e., Oslo, Milan, Cairo). RR pavements and façades were capable of increasing the αeq throughout the year. However, implementing an angular-selective behavior allowed for a reduction of the mitigation potential of RR materials during the winter season. In their best application, RR and AS-RR materials enabled higher αeq in summer (122%) with negligible effects during the winter (7%). Finally, the study highlighted the need for exploiting numerical models capable of conducting full ray tracing solar analyses when investigating materials whose optical properties depend on the angle of incidence of the sunrays (such as RR materials).

Numerical Characterization of a High Flux Solar Simulator Using Forward and Inverse Methods

2019 ◽  
Vol 142 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mostafa Abuseada ◽  
Nesrin Ozalp
Keyword(s):  
Heat Flux ◽  
Ray Tracing ◽  
Focal Plane ◽  
High Flux ◽  
Solar Simulator ◽  
New Approach ◽  
First Order ◽  
Numerical Characterization ◽  
Tracing Method

Abstract The numerical characterization of a 10 kWe xenon arc high flux solar simulator is thoroughly presented and performed using two approaches: a forward Monte Carlo ray tracing (MCRT) method and an inverse ray tracing method. Experimental characterization was previously performed for the solar simulator using an indirect flux mapping technique, where the experimental heat flux distribution was obtained at the focal plane and additional 12 planes away from the simulator. For the first numerical characterization method, an in-house MCRT code was used to determine the shape of the xenon arc to best model the simulator. It was determined that an isotropic volumetric source consisting of a hemisphere of 1 mm radius that is attached to a cylinder of 1 mm in radius and 10 mm in length well described the experimental results obtained. The in-house code was then used to generate heat flux maps similar to that obtained experimentally and determine the intensity at the focal plane to be used by the inverse ray tracing method presented for its validation. For the inverse method, intensity interpolation schemes of zeroth and first-order were examined in addition to different solution strategies. It is shown that a first-order interpolation scheme unnecessary complicates the inverse problem, leading to larger errors. In addition, a new approach of constraining the formulated system of equations with an equality constraint that works by eliminating intensity values not tracing back to the ellipsoidal reflector is proposed. This new approach provided intensity values with reduced percentage errors.

SAXS instruments with slit collimation: investigation of resolution and flux

2006 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerhard Fritz ◽  
Alexander Bergmann
Keyword(s):  
Monte Carlo ◽  
Ray Tracing ◽  
Small Angle ◽  
Qualitative Agreement ◽  
High Flux ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Collimation System ◽  
Flux Measurements

Six small-angle X-ray cameras with block collimation systems were simulated, namely the original Kratky camera, a high-flux version of the Kratky camera, a SAXSess (Anton Parr) camera with a focusing mirror in a linear collimation setup and in a pin-hole setup, as well as a similar camera with a parallelizing mirror in a linear and a pin-hole setup. Their performance was examined using Monte Carlo ray-tracing. The Kratky and the SAXSess camera gave resolutions of 64–65 nm, the high-flux Kratky camera gave a resolution of 44 nm, and the camera with parallelizing mirror gave a resolution of 32 nm. The flux of the camera with parallelizing mirror was 1.47 times higher than for the SAXSess camera, and 18.6 times the flux of the Kratky camera. On changing the alignment, the camera with parallelizing mirror exhibited the best performance up to a resolution of 44 nm; the SAXSess camera was better for higher resolutions. Experimental flux measurements agree if no collimation system is added. Measurements of beam profiles and flux including collimation systems show only qualitative agreement because of user-dependent factors during alignment.

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