The Monte Carlo-type statistical ray-tracing method was used to investigate the performance of the line-focusing Fresnel mirror solar concentrator. An optical model of the line-focusing Fresnel mirror concentrator using the statistical ray-tracing approach was developed. Many rays of sunlight from the solar disk were selected at random and traced through the concentrator in this model. This optical model permits calculation of the local and geometric concentration ratios. The latter requires an energyloss analysis. Small sun-tracking errors of the diurnal or transverse type were included in the model.Based on the optical model and the Monte Carlo-type statistical ray-tracing method, a computer program was written implementing the model and computations using Pascal. To facilitate performance comparisons, a baseline concentrator design was adopted. To study the effects of imperfect tracking, performance data were generated for small tracking errors up to approximately two and one-half degrees. The selected mirror configuration permitted comparisons between the statistical approach and previous applications of the "extreme ray" analysis for an imperfectly tracking mirror concentrator.Simulation results demonstrated that the concentration characteristics are highly sensitive to the tracking error. The geometric concentration ratio dramatically decreases when the tracking error increases, which is the same as the "extreme ray" analysis. Results of some typical numerical calculations are presented graphically and discussed. / Department of Physics and Astronomy
Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:BSU/oai:cardinalscholar.bsu.edu:handle/184641 |
Date | January 1993 |
Creators | Ying, Xiaomin |
Contributors | Ball State University. Dept. of Physics and Astronomy., Cosby, Ronald M. |
Source Sets | Ball State University |
Detected Language | English |
Format | x, 91 leaves : ill. ; 28 cm. |
Source | Virtual Press |
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