Design and Evaluation of the Fresnel-Lens Based Solar Concentrator System Through a Statistical-Algorithmic Approach

Author(s):  
Hassan Qandil ◽  
Weihuan Zhao

A novel non-imaging Fresnel-lens-based solar concentrator-receiver system has been investigated to achieve high-efficiency photon and heat outputs with minimized effect of chromatic aberrations. Two types of non-imaging Fresnel lenses, a spot-flat lens and a dome-shaped lens, are designed through a statistical algorithm incorporated in MATLAB. The algorithm optimizes the lens design via a statistical ray-tracing methodology of the incident light, considering the chromatic aberration of solar spectrum, the lens-receiver spacing and aperture sizes, and the optimum number of prism grooves. An equal-groove-width of the Poly-methyl-methacrylate (PMMA) prisms is adopted in the model. The main target is to maximize ray intensity on the receiver’s aperture, and therefore, achieve the highest possible heat flux and output concentration temperature. The algorithm outputs prism and system geometries of the Fresnel-lens concentrator. The lenses coupled with solar receivers are simulated by COMSOL Multiphysics. It combines both optical and thermal analyses for the lens and receiver to study the optimum lens structure for high solar flux output. The optimized solar concentrator-receiver system can be applied to various devices which require high temperature inputs, such as concentrated photovoltaics (CPV), high-temperature stirling engine, etc.

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias May ◽  
Kira Rehfeld

Greenhouse gas emissions must be cut to limit global warming to 1.5-2C above preindustrial levels. Yet the rate of decarbonisation is currently too low to achieve this. Policy-relevant scenarios therefore rely on the permanent removal of CO<sub>2</sub> from the atmosphere. However, none of the envisaged technologies has demonstrated scalability to the decarbonization targets for the year 2050. In this analysis, we show that artificial photosynthesis for CO<sub>2</sub> reduction may deliver an efficient large-scale carbon sink. This technology is mainly developed towards solar fuels and its potential for negative emissions has been largely overlooked. With high efficiency and low sensitivity to high temperature and illumination conditions, it could, if developed towards a mature technology, present a viable approach to fill the gap in the negative emissions budget.<br>


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias May ◽  
Kira Rehfeld

Greenhouse gas emissions must be cut to limit global warming to 1.5-2C above preindustrial levels. Yet the rate of decarbonisation is currently too low to achieve this. Policy-relevant scenarios therefore rely on the permanent removal of CO<sub>2</sub> from the atmosphere. However, none of the envisaged technologies has demonstrated scalability to the decarbonization targets for the year 2050. In this analysis, we show that artificial photosynthesis for CO<sub>2</sub> reduction may deliver an efficient large-scale carbon sink. This technology is mainly developed towards solar fuels and its potential for negative emissions has been largely overlooked. With high efficiency and low sensitivity to high temperature and illumination conditions, it could, if developed towards a mature technology, present a viable approach to fill the gap in the negative emissions budget.<br>


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 1579
Author(s):  
Heng Zhang ◽  
Na Wang ◽  
Kai Liang ◽  
Yang Liu ◽  
Haiping Chen

A solar-aided power generation (SAPG) system effectively promotes the high efficiency and low cost utilization of solar energy. In this paper, the SAPG system is represented by conventional coal-fired units and an annular Fresnel solar concentrator (AFSC) system. The annular Fresnel solar concentrator system is adopted to generate solar steam to replace the extraction steam of the turbine. According to the steam–water matrix equation and improved Flugel formula, the variable conditions simulation and analysis of the thermo-economic index were proposed by Matlab. Furthermore, in order to obtain the range of small disturbance, the method of partial replacement is used, that is, the extraction steam of the turbine is replaced from 0 to 100% with a step size of 20%. In this work, a SAPG system is proposed and its thermo-economic index and small disturbance scope are analyzed. The results show that the SAPG system is energy-saving, and the application scope of small disturbance is related to the quantity of the extraction steam and evaluation index.


2021 ◽  
Vol 414 ◽  
pp. 128760
Author(s):  
Wen-Bo Li ◽  
Di Zhou ◽  
Wen-Feng Liu ◽  
Jin-Zhan Su ◽  
Fayaz Hussain ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 485 ◽  
pp. 126730
Author(s):  
Shun Cao ◽  
Yi Jin ◽  
Hongguang Dong ◽  
Tingbiao Guo ◽  
Zhenchao Liu ◽  
...  

2006 ◽  
Vol 129 (3) ◽  
pp. 298-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. M. Andreev ◽  
A. S. Vlasov ◽  
V. P. Khvostikov ◽  
O. A. Khvostikova ◽  
P. Y. Gazaryan ◽  
...  

Results of a solar thermophotovoltaic (STPV) system study are reported. Modeling of the STPV module performance and the analysis of various parameters influencing the system are presented. The ways for the STPV system efficiency to increase and their magnitude are considered such as: improvement of the emitter radiation selectivity and application of selective filters for better matching the emitter radiation spectrum and cell photoresponse; application of the cells with a back side reflector for recycling the sub-band gap photons; and development of low-band gap tandem TPV cells for better utilization of the radiation spectrum. Sunlight concentrator and STPV modules were designed, fabricated, and tested under indoor and outdoor conditions. A cost-effective sunlight concentrator with Fresnel lens was developed as a primary concentrator and a secondary quartz meniscus lens ensured the high concentration ratio of ∼4000×, which is necessary for achieving the high efficiency of the concentrator–emitter system owing to trap escaping radiation. Several types of STPV modules have been developed and tested under concentrated sunlight. Photocurrent density of 4.5A∕cm2 was registered in a photoreceiver based on 1×1cm2GaSb cells under a solar powered tungsten emitter.


2011 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 398-402 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zuo Chun Shen ◽  
Yu Lu ◽  
Jian Ye Lu

Author(s):  
Ihor S. Diakunchak ◽  
Greg R. Gaul ◽  
Gerry McQuiggan ◽  
Leslie R. Southall

This paper summarises achievements in the Siemens Westinghouse Advanced Turbine Systems (ATS) Program. The ATS Program, co-funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Fossil Energy, was a very successful multi-year (from 1992 to 2001) collaborative effort between government, industry and participating universities. The program goals were to develop technologies necessary for achieving significant gains in natural gas-fired power generation plant efficiency, a reduction in emissions, and a decrease in cost of electricity, while maintaining current state-of-the-art electricity generation systems’ reliability, availability, and maintainability levels. Siemens Westinghouse technology development concentrated on the following areas: aerodynamic design, combustion, heat transfer/cooling design, engine mechanical design, advanced alloys, advanced coating systems, and single crystal (SC) alloy casting development. Success was achieved in designing and full scale verification testing of a high pressure high efficiency compressor, airfoil clocking concept verification on a two stage turbine rig test, high temperature bond coat/TBC system development, and demonstrating feasibility of large SC turbine airfoil castings. The ATS program included successful completion of W501G engine development testing. This engine is the first step in the W501ATS engine introduction and incorporates many ATS technologies, such as closed-loop steam cooling, advanced compressor design, advanced sealing and high temperature materials and coatings.


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