This thesis project investigates, analyzes, designs, simulates, constructs and tests a dual-axis solar tracker system to track the sun and concentrates the heat of the sunlight, using a Fresnel lens, into a small area, which is above of an evaporator, to increase the temperature of the seawater to convert it into freshwater. The dual-axis solar tracker was designed with the main objectives that the structure was portable, dismountable, lightweight, low cost, corrosion resistant, wires inside pipes, accurate, small size, follow the sun automatically, off-grid (electrical), use green energy (solar powered), and has an empty area right below of the lens. First, a 500 mm diameter flat Fresnel lens was selected and simulated based on an algorithmic method achieved by a previous PhD student at UNT using MATLAB®, to give the optimization lens dimensions. The lens profile was drawn with AutoCAD®, then output profile lens was simulated in COMSOL Multiphysics®. The objective was to provide the high efficiency, optimum and high precision of the focal rays and heat to the receiver of the evaporator. A novel dual-axis solar tracker system was then designed that is portable, dismountable, lightweight and corrosion resistant. The solar tracker tracks the sun in two axis of rotation automatically during the day time, maximizing the angles of inclination on each axis. After testing computer simulations, the dual-axis solar tracker system was constructed and tested. Last, a detailed cost analysis was performed of the entire project. The outcome of this work can be applied for desalination seawater purposes or other any Fresnel lens application that require a focal high temperature directed by dual-axis solar tracker system.

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study describes the design and construction of a low-cost linear Fresnel solar concentrator. Ray-trace simulation models that analyse optical performance were developed and then used to perform sensitivity analyses of various characteristics of linear Fresnel concentrators. The design of a small-scale concentrator was optimised using the simulation models, after which the concentrator was constructed in the solar laboratory. The concentrator consists of a single-motor tracking system, flat primary mirrors and a low-cost secondary concentrator that approximates a compound parabolic concentrator. Testing revealed satisfactory performance that was comparable to the simulation models’ prediction. The construction of a low-cost solar concentrator that can replace existing thermal sources for the generation of power and process heat is thus achievable. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die ontwerp en konstruksie van 'n laekoste- lineêre Fresnel-sonkonsentreerder word in hierdie studie beskryf. Stralingsimulasiemodelle wat optiese werksverrigting analiseer is ontwikkel en gebruik om sensitiwiteitsanalises van die verskillende eienskappe van lineêre Fresnel-konsentreerders te doen. Die modelle is verder gebruik om die ontwerp van 'n kleinskaalse konsentreerder te optimeer, waarna die konsentreerder in die sonlaboratorium gebou is. Die konsentreerder bestaan uit 'n enkelmotorvolgingstelsel, plat primêre spieëls en 'n laekoste- sekondêre konsentreerder soortgelyk aan 'n saamgestelde, paraboliese konsentreerder. Toetsing dui bevredigende werksverrigting aan, vergelykbaar met wat die simulasiemodelle voorspel het. Dit is dus moontlik om 'n laekoste-sonkonsentreerder wat bestaande termiese bronne vir kragopwekking en proseshittegenerasie kan vervang, daar te stel.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:58:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 RicardoEBRF_DISSERT.pdf: 4014057 bytes, checksum: 4ee7665398e3d4e0b140690a65f6b5c4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-02-28 / Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte / Given the growing environmental crisis caused by degradation, mainly due to the use of polluting energy sources, increasing the growing use of renewable energies worldwide, with emphasis on solar energy, an abundant supply and available to everyone, which can be harnessed in several ways: electricity generation; dehydration of food; heating, disinfection and distillation and cooking. The latter has as its primary feature the viability of clean, renewable energy for society, combating ecological damage caused by large-scale use of firewood for cooking foods, use in tropical countries with high solar radiation, and has funding NGOs throughout the world with the goal of achieving low-income population. The proposed project consists of a solar cooker for concentration, working from the reflection of sunlight by a hub that they converge to a focal point at the bottom of the pot, getting lots of heat. The solar cooker under study consists of two elliptical reflecting parabolas made from the recycling of scrap TV antenna, having 0.29 m? of surface area for each antenna, which were covered by multiple mirrors of 2 mm thick and mounted on a metal structure, with correction for the mobility of the apparent movement of the sun. This structure was built with the recycling of scrap metal, possessing a relatively low cost compared with other solar cookers, around US$ 50.00. This cost becomes negligible, since that will involve a great benefit to not have fuel costs for each meal, unlike the use of gas or firewood for cooking food. The tests show that the cooker has reached the maximum temperature of 740 ? C, for boiling water in an average time of 28 minutes, cooking various types of foods such as potatoes, rice and pasta in an average time of 45 minutes and still going as a solar oven, making pizza baking and meat. These cooking times do not differ much from the cooking times on a gas stove, it becomes the solar cooker as a good consumer acceptance, and furthermore not to deliver the same gases that can poison the food as with the wood stove. Proves the viability of using the stove to cook or bake in two daily meals for a family, still presenting a position to improve his performance with the addition of new materials, equipment and techniques / Diante da crescente crise ambiental provocada pela degrada??o, principalmente devido ao uso de fontes energ?ticas poluentes, cada vez mais, vem crescendo o uso de energias renov?veis em todo o mundo, tendo destaque para a energia solar, uma fonte abundante e dispon?vel a todos, que pode ser aproveitada de diversas maneiras como: gera??o de eletricidade; desidrata??o de alimentos; aquecimento, desinfec??o e destila??o de ?gua e coc??o. Este ?ltimo tem como aspecto primordial a viabiliza??o de energia limpa e renov?vel para a sociedade, combatendo os danos ecol?gicos causados pela utiliza??o em larga escala de lenha para o cozimento de alimentos, tendo utiliza??o em pa?ses tropicais com altos ?ndices de radia??o solar, possuindo financiamento de ONGS por todo o mundo com objetivo de atingir a popula??o de baixa renda. O projeto proposto consta de um fog?o solar ? concentra??o, funcionando a partir da reflex?o dos raios solares por um concentrador que converge os mesmos para um ponto focal no fundo da panela, recebendo grande quantidade de calor. O fog?o solar em estudo ? composto por duas par?bolas refletoras de forma el?ptica feitas a partir do reaproveitamento de sucatas de antena de TV, possuindo 0,29 m? de ?rea superficial para cada antena, que foram cobertas por m?ltiplos espelhos de 2 mm de espessura e montadas em uma estrutura met?lica com mobilidade para a corre??o do movimento aparente do sol. Esta estrutura foi constru?da com o reaproveitamento de sucata, possuindo um custo relativamente baixo, quando comparado com outros fog?es solares, em torno R$ 100,00. Este custo torna-se insignificante, uma vez que promover? um grande benef?cio em n?o possuir gastos com combust?vel para cada refei??o, diferente do uso do g?s ou de lenha para cozinhar alimentos. Os ensaios mostram que o fog?o chegou ? temperatura m?xima de 740?C, realizando a ebuli??o de ?gua em um tempo m?dio de 28 minutos, cozinhando diversos tipos de alimentos, como batata, arroz e macarr?o em um tempo m?dio de 45 minutos e ainda funcionando como forno solar, realizando o assamento de pizza e carnes. Esses tempos de cozimento n?o diferem muito dos tempos de cozimento em um fog?o ? g?s, fato que obt?m ao fog?o solar uma boa receptividade aos consumidores, al?m do mesmo n?o emitir gases que podem intoxicar os alimentos como no caso do fog?o a lenha. Comprova-se a viabilidade da utiliza??o do fog?o para cozinhar ou assar em duas refei??es di?rias para uma fam?lia, apresentando ainda condi??es de melhorar sua performance com adi??o de novos materiais, equipamentos e t?cnicas

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento CientÃfico e TecnolÃgico / Amid the great crisis of the energy, new methods for electric power generation, especially those do not harm the environment, are constantly sought to meet the growing need worldwide. Among them, the use of Fresnel linear concentrators becomes increasingly feasible, due to have lower cost in comparison to other types of solar concentrators. Thus, the project seeks to develop techniques that optimize use of the system where the main objective is to implement and validate the tracking system for a prototype of linear Fresnel solar concentrator, operating between approximately 7:30 and 16:30 in Fortaleza, CearÃ. For that, it used microcontrollers, sensors and motors to design a system capable of tracking Solar light system. The characterization and validation of the inductive position sensor used is also an important part of the work. To perform the tracking system, have been used a theoretical methodology for relative location of the sun, beyond the gain scheduling technique in control of employee movement. The position sensor validation have a maximum error than 0.3Â. Therefore, can consider that, with the use of the techniques employed for the achievement of system of control, the medium error obtained was about 0.06Â, making the design perform the concentration of solar rays in the absorber concentrator with a maximum deviation of 0.5Â, providing the desired reliability for system use. / Em meio Ãs grandes crises no ambiente energÃtico novos mÃtodos para geraÃÃo de energia elÃtrica, principalmente aqueles que nÃo agridem o meio ambiente, sÃo procurados constantemente para suprir a crescente necessidade mundial. Dentre eles, o uso de concentradores Solares do tipo Fresnel linear torna-se cada vez mais viÃvel, devido possuir custo inferior a outros tipos de concentradores solar. Com isso, procura-se desenvolver tÃcnicas que otimizem o uso do modelo onde o principal objetivo deste trabalho à implementar e validar o sistema de rastreamento de um protÃtipo de concentrador solar Fresnel linear, com funcionamento compreendido aproximadamente entre 7:30 e 16:30 h, na cidade de Fortaleza, CearÃ. Para tanto, utilizou-se microcontroladores, sensores e motores para projetar um sistema capaz de rastrear a luz Solar. A caracterizaÃÃo e validaÃÃo do sensor de posiÃÃo indutivo utilizado tambÃm à parte importante do trabalho. Para a realizaÃÃo do rastreamento empregou-se uma metodologia teÃrica para localizaÃÃo relativa do Sol, alÃm da tÃcnica de escalonamento de ganho no controle do movimento empregado. A validaÃÃo do sensor de posiÃÃo foi realizada encontrando-se um erro mÃximo em torno de 0,3Â. Portanto, pode-se considerar que, com a utilizaÃÃo das tÃcnicas abordadas para a realizaÃÃo do controle do sistema o erro mÃdio obtido foi cerca de 0,06Â, fazendo com que o projeto realizasse a concentraÃÃo dos raios solares no absorvedor do concentrador com um desvio mÃximo de 0.5Â, fornecendo ao sistema a confiabilidade desejada para sua utilizaÃÃo.

New Horizons, Voyager 1 & 2, and Pioneer 10 & 11 are the only spacecraft to ever venture past Pluto and provide information about space at those large distances. These spacecraft were very expensive and primarily designed to study planets during gravitational assist maneuvers. They were not designed to explore space past Pluto and their study of this environment is at best a secondary mission. These spacecraft rely on radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) to provide power, an expensive yet necessary approach to generating sufficient power. With Cubesats graduating to interplanetary capabilities, such as the Mars-bound MarCO spacecraft, matching the modest payload requirements to study the outer Solar System (OSS) with the capabilities of low-power nano-satellites may enable much more affordable access to deep space. This paper explores a design concept for a low-cost, small spacecraft, designed to study the OSS and satisfy mission requirements with solar power. The general spacecraft design incorporates a parabolic reflector that acts as both a solar concentrator and a high gain antenna. This paper explores a working design concept for a small spacecraft to operate up to 100 astronomical units (AU) from the sun. Deployable reflector designs, thermal and radiation environments, communications and power requirements, solar system escape trajectory options, and scientific payload requirements are detailed, and a working system is proposed that can fulfill mission requirements with expected near-future innovations in a few key technologies.

Ce travail a pour objet de développer une nouvelle technologie de l’énergie solaire à concentration. Il porte sur la présentation du concept, la réalisation prototypique et l’étude optique et énergétique d’un nouveau concentrateur solaire QingSun™. Ce concentrateur a une forme de parallélépipède rectangulaire et comporte des lentilles de Fresnel linéaires, des parois tapissées de miroir et d’un récepteur solaire mobile entraîné par un système de suivi à l’intérieur du caisson de concentration. Un modèle optique et un modèle énergétique ont été élaborés et validés avec une série d’expériences. Ils ont permis d’étudier le fonctionnement et les performances énergétiques du concentrateur. Une étude de l’influence paramétrique de l’inclinaison et l’orientation a été effectuée et a montré que l’inclinaison a plus d’influence que l’orientation sur les performances. Enfin, les performances énergétiques optimales du concentrateur ont été estimées. / This work is for the purpose to develop a new solar concentrating technology. It covers the presentation of the concept, the prototype realization and the optical and energy study of a new solar concentrator QingSun™. This concentrator has a shape of rectangular parallelepiped and includes linear Fresnel lenses, mirror-lined walls and a mobile solar receptor controlled by a tracking system inside the casing. An optical model and an energy model were developed and validated with a series of experiments. The both models permitted us to examine the function and the energy performance of the concentrator. A parametric study of the influence of the tilt and the orientation was performed and showed that the tilt had more influence than the orientation. Finally, the optimal energy performance of this concentrator was estimated.

A promising and novel solar concentrator design has been thoroughly investigated and optimised. A prototype concentrator based on this novel geometry was validated using ray tracing techniques. This ray tracing demonstrated the comparative performance of this novel concentrator in regards to equivalent parabolic dishes. The effect of mirror surface normal errors on performance was established using Monte-Carlo based ray tracing code, which agreed well with the optical performance of this prototype which was determined experimentally. A need for low-cost solar cookers to replace bio-mass worldwide was identified, and the concentrator design was then developed as a low-cost solar oven. Despite existing in some number, no current design is able to achieve high performance at low-cost. An industrial partner, Dytecna, was initially involved in the process of this development of the system as a solar cooker. In support of a field trial for the solar cooker developed with Dytecna, a detailed thermal model of the oven was developed. A low-cost lightmeter was constructed and calibrated in order to measure the direct normal irradiance during the field trial in Italy. Laboratory work provided baseline results for the heating of various thermal masses in the oven. The Italian field trials provided a wealth of feedback into the design of the system and many valuable results. The solar cooker was able to bring 0.75L of water to the boil in 33 minutes with an average heat throughput of 203W. Important benchmark results and practical experience of several competing receiver materials was obtained; further lab testing provided more accurate measurements of the receivers' performances. The experiences of the Italian field trial were fed back into the design of a subsequent prototype, intended for a much larger field trial in Tanzania. Improvements in the hotplate, receiver material, and the oven were all incorporated into the design. Additionally, the structure of the solar cooker was redesigned to incorporate a low-cost wooden construction. Supporting work was conducted for the month long trial in which 8 solar cookers would be distributed to families in Tanzania. The field trial in Tanzania provided a wealth of user feedback into the design. At the same time the new solar cooker exceeded previously established performances in Italy. The new design was able to provide an average of 246W of heat to 1kg of water, which was brought to boiling point in 25 minutes. This represents a heating efficiency of 66% compared to the incident solar flux on the hotplate. In response to findings during the Tanzanian trials, further laboratory work was conducted into establishing the reflectivities of low-cost candidate mirror materials. Throughout all phases of the project the design of the solar cooker was refined and improved with the goal of a solar cooker design that could reach price-point, performance, and usability standards which would ensure market success.

Submitted by GILBERTO BUENO DE OLIVEIRA JUNIOR null (gilberto.bueno@yahoo.com.br) on 2016-02-03T13:55:05Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação - Concentrador Solar - VERSÃO FINAL - V0017.pdf: 5444637 bytes, checksum: 24e8c86834b9e8a8354dc9e314104039 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ana Paula Grisoto (grisotoana@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2016-02-05T11:29:33Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 oliveirajunior_gb_me_bauru.pdf: 5444637 bytes, checksum: 24e8c86834b9e8a8354dc9e314104039 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-02-05T11:29:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 oliveirajunior_gb_me_bauru.pdf: 5444637 bytes, checksum: 24e8c86834b9e8a8354dc9e314104039 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-12-18 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / The searching for renewable energy sources has mobilized much of the scientific community, which work is tireless in pointing out feasible solutions to use clean energy. Solar energy is natural choice among others, because its availability and amount. A known way to use this energy is by focusing solar rays through parabolics, which allow rays concentration to a small area. The advantage of this type of project is to produce thermal energy at high temperatures. This energy has a wide application on producing other forms of energy such as electric power in turbines since solar concentrators provide steam at high pressure and temperature. The goal of this study is to build a solar concentration device and measure the energy produced, as well its efficiency in transformation. Thus, was built up a parabolic concentrator and a solar tracker to motion in three dimension, which allows device alignment towards incidence of solar rays. Was utilized a pumping system to flowing thermal fluid at high temperatures through the absorber. The energy balance of this thermal fluid, led to obtain behavior curves of net power and system efficiency. The experimental was divided in two parts. On the first one, was obtained the stagnation temperature and the other one, was measured the eficiency over a circulating thermal fluid. The stagnation temperature measured in december was 476,5°C, at 4:25PM. The second part of tests has shown an efficiency of 33% on first one assay. However when was utilizing another form to measure the solar irradiation (theoretic approach), the efficiency rises between 45% to 55%, regarding steady state conditions. Furthermore, this work allowed discussions to discover ways to increase the energy efficiency. / A busca por formas alternativas de energia tem mobilizado grande parte da comunidade científica, cujos trabalhos são incansáveis em apontar soluções viáveis para o aproveitamento das energias renováveis e limpas. A energia solar se destaca dentre todas pela sua disposição e quantidade. Uma forma já conhecida de sua utilização é através da concentração em sistemas parabólicos, que permitem o direcionamento dos raios do Sol para uma pequena área. A vantagem deste tipo de projeto é a produção de energia térmica a altas temperaturas e pressões. Essa energia concentrada possui grande aplicação, pois permite a conversão eficiente em energia elétrica, produzidas em turbinas a vapor. O objetivo deste trabalho foi construir um dispositivo termo-eletrônico para concentração solar e, com isso, quantificar a energia produzida, bem como sua eficiência. Assim sendo, foi construído um concentrador parabólico e um rastreador solar com movimento tridimensional, que permite o alinhamento do equipamento com a incidência dos raios do Sol. Foi utilizado ainda, para circulação no interior do absorvedor, um sistema de bombeamento de fluido térmico de alto ponto de ebulição e que não sofria deformação a altas temperaturas. O balanço energético no dispositivo permitiu obter as curvas de potência útil e da eficiência do sistema. O experimento foi dividido em duas partes. Na primeira parte, foi obtida a temperatura de estagnação e na outra parte, foi medida a eficiência energética sobre o fluido térmico em circulação. A temperatura de estagnação medida em dezembro foi de 476,5 °C, às 4:25 PM. A segunda parte dos testes mostrou uma eficiência de 33% no primeiro ensaio. No entanto, quando se utilizou uma outra forma de medir a irradiação solar (abordagem teórica), a eficiência aumentou, permanecendo entre 45% a 55%, considerando regime permanente. Além disso, possibilitou a discussão de formas de incrementar a sua eficiência. / Capes: 2012/2014

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:57:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 JOSERSF.pdf: 1452502 bytes, checksum: 2b2b5bbeb8a8c00c381af23d21ebe405 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-06-09 / An cylinder-parabolic solar concentrator is presented to produce steam for different applications. This prototype was built in glass fiber with dimensions that follow a study of optimization of parameters inherent in the optical reflection of sunlight by the surface of reflection and absorption of the same by tubing that leads the fluid of work. The surface of the concentrator of 2.24 m? has been covered by layers of mirror with 1.0 m of lenght and 2.0 cm wide. The absorb tubing consists of a copper tube diameter equal to 28 mm. The concentrator is moving to follow the apparent motion of the sun. It will be presented the processes of manufacturing and assembly of the concentrator proposed, which has as main characteristics the facilities construction and assembly, in addition to reduced cost. Will be presented data from tests performed to produce steam setting up some parameters that diagnose the efficiency of the concentrator. It will be demonstrated the viabilities thermal, economic and of materials of the proposed system.The maximum temperature achieved in the vacuum tube absorber was 232.1?C and average temperature for 1 hour interval was 171.5?C, obtained in a test with automation. The maximum temperature achieved in the output of water was 197.7?C for a temperature of 200.0?C in the absorber tube. The best average result of the water exit temperature to interval of 1 hour was 170.2?C for a temperature of 171.2?C, in the absorber tube, obtained in test with automation. Water exit mean temperatures were always above of the water steaming temperature. The concentrator present a useful efficiency of 38% and a production cost of approximately R$ 450,00 ( $ 160.34) / Apresenta-se um concentrador solar do tipo cilindro-parab?lico para a produ??o de vapor para aplica??es diversas. A superf?cie da par?bola foi constru?da em fibra de vidro, com dimens?es que seguem um estudo de otimiza??o de par?metros ?pticos inerentes ? reflex?o dos raios solares pela superf?cie refletora e a intercepta??o desses raios pelo tubo absorvedor. A superf?cie do concentrador de 2,24 m2 foi recoberta por l?minas de espelho de 1,0 m de comprimento por 2 cm de largura. A tubula??o absorvedora ? composta de um tubo de cobre de di?metro correspondente a 28 mm. O concentrador tem mobilidade para rastrear automaticamente o movimento aparente do sol. Ser?o mostrados os processos de fabrica??o e montagem do concentrador proposto, que apresenta como caracter?sticas principais, as facilidades de constru??o e montagem, al?m de custo reduzido. A temperatura m?xima alcan?ada no tubo absorvedor vazio foi 232,1?C e a temperatura m?dia para intervalo de 1 hora foi 171,5 ?C, obtidas em um teste com automatiza??o. O pico m?ximo obtido na temperatura de sa?da de ?gua foi de 197,7?C para uma temperatura de 200,0?C no do tubo absorvedor. O melhor resultado m?dio da temperatura de sa?da da ?gua para intervalo de 1 hora foi 170,2?C para uma temperatura de 171,2?C, no tubo absorvedor, obtido em teste com automatiza??o. As m?dias de temperaturas de sa?da de ?gua estiveram sempre acima da temperatura de vaporiza??o da ?gua. O concentrador apresenta uma efici?ncia ?til de 38% e um custo de fabrica??o de aproximadamente R$ 450,00 ( $ 160,34)

This master’s thesis is focused on current possibilities of solar energy utilization – especially on concentrating solar power systems – and their optimization using solar tracking systems to maximize energy gain. The thesis also deals with solar position algorithm and offers an Arduino based automatic dual axis solar tracker design which provides various solar devices the ability to pivot using stepper motors, DC motors or servos. The motion might be driven by calculated solar position or by actual illuminance.