Theoretical Analysis and Photothermal Experimental Study of a Segmented Specular Reflection Solar Concentrator

Abstract

In this paper, a segmented specular reflection solar concentrator is proposed. Many mirrors are arranged in the same plane, and all the reflected rays fall on the cylindrical focal surface. The glass mirrors are placed in different positions, tilt angles, and widths, and reflect light without blocking each other. Through the theoretical analysis of this type of concentrating system, in the same space span, with the increase of the installation height of the cylindrical focal surface, the concentrating ratio and area utilization rate gradually increase. The area utilization ratio is related to the ratio of mirror installation span and receiver height, and the concentrating ratio is linear to the number of mirrors. Through multiple groups of photothermal experimental analysis, it can be concluded that under the same heat collection temperature, the greater the radiation intensity received of the heat collecting tube, the higher the heat collection efficiency of the solar collecting system.