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Transient Thermal Analysis of a Refractive Secondary Solar Concentrator
Technical Paper
1999-01-2680
ISSN: 0148-7191, e-ISSN: 2688-3627
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English
Abstract
A secondary concentrator is an optical device that accepts solar energy from a primary concentrator and further intensifies and directs the solar flux. The refractive secondary is one such device; fabricated from an optically clear solid material that can efficiently transmit the solar energy by way of refraction and total internal reflection. When combined with a large state-of-the-art rigid or inflatable primary concentrator, the refractive secondary enables solar concentration ratios of 10,000 to 1. In support of potential space solar thermal power and propulsion applications, the NASA Glenn Research Center is developing a single-crystal refractive secondary concentrator for use at temperatures exceeding 2000K. Candidate optically clear single-crystal materials like sapphire and zirconia are being evaluated for this application.
To support this evaluation, a three-dimensional transient thermal model of a refractive secondary concentrator in a typical solar thermal propulsion application was developed. This paper describes the model and presents thermal predictions for both sapphire and zirconia prototypes. These predictions are then used to establish parameters for analyzing and testing the materials for their ability to survive thermal shock and stress.
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Citation
Geng, S. and Macosko, R., "Transient Thermal Analysis of a Refractive Secondary Solar Concentrator," SAE Technical Paper 1999-01-2680, 1999, https://doi.org/10.4271/1999-01-2680.Also In
References
- SPIE Milestone Series 106 Selected Papers on Nonimaging Optics Winston Roland 1995
- Ning Xiaohui Winston Roland O'Gallagher Joseph “Dielectric totally internally reflecting concentrators” Applied Optics 26 2 300 305 January 15 1987 1987 Optical Society of America
- Soules J.A. Buchele D.R. Castle C.H. Macosko R.P. “Design and Fabrication of a Dielectric Total Internal Reflecting Solar Concentrator and Associated Flux Extractor for Extreme High Temperature (2500K) Applications” NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, Ohio November 1997
- Zhu Dongming Jacobson Nathan S. Miller Robert A. “Thermal-Mechanical Stability of Single Crystal Oxide Refractive Concentrators for High-Temperature Solar Thermal Propulsion” NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, Ohio February 1999
- Wong Wayne A. Macosko Robert P. “Refractive Secondary Concentrators for Solar Thermal Applications” NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, Ohio August 1999