The article presents the methodology and results of a parametric analysis
performed to investigate the effects of changes in the curvature of the
solar concentrator mirror on its ability to focus the radiation. Working
conditions of the concentrator, i. e. possible values of radiation
intensity, were adopted according to irradiance typical for Poland, and,
therefore, similar to the conditions in many European countries. The
curvatures of examined mirrors were obtained by modification of a parabolic
curve. The calculations were conducted for two cases: when the Sun radiation
falls completely directly and when it's half diffuse. The 2-D simulations
were conducted in ANSYS FLUENT 18.2 software. Discrete ordinates model was
employed to simulate radiation phenomenon. Also, a sensitivity analysis was
carried on discrete ordinates model parameters and density of the
computational mesh. The results allow stating that some of the new
curvatures provide only slightly worse focus than the classical parabolic
shape, but also show greater insensitivity to the increasing share of
diffusive part of radiation. The presented model is a quick and proven tool
for testing new curvatures of solar concentrator mirrors.