• Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology
• /
• v.17 no.8
• /
• pp.1185-1195
• /
• 2003

Heat losses from the receivers of a dish-type solar energy collecting system at the Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER) are numerically investigated. It is assumed that a number of flat square mirrors are arranged on the parabolic dish structure to serve as a reflector. Two different types of receivers, which have conical and dome shapes, are considered for the system, and several modes of heat losses from the receivers are thoroughly studied. Using the Stine and McDonald model convective heat loss from a receiver is estimated. The Net Radiation Method is used to calculate the radiation heat transfer rate by emission from the inside surface of the cavity receiver to the environment. The Monte-Carlo Method is used to predict the radiation heat transfer rate from the reflector to the receiver. Tracing the photons generated, the reflection loss from the receivers can be estimated. The radiative heat flux distribution produced by a multifaceted parabolic concentrator on the focal plane is estimated using the cone optics method. Also, the solar radiation spillage around the aperture is calculated. Based on the results of the analysis, the performances of two different receivers with multifaceted parabolic solar energy collectors are evaluated.

• 한국태양에너지학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 2009.04a
• /
• pp.31-36
• /
• 2009

There have been many solar tracking systems developed for the high accuracy in solar tracking. One of the key components of any motion control system is software. LabVIEW offers an ideal combination of flexibility, ease-of-use and well-integration with other I/O pieces for developing solar tracking system. Real-time solar positions which vary with GPS's data are used simultaneously to control the solar tracker by a chain of operating modes between the open and closed loops. This paper introduces a step by step procedure for the fabrication and performance assessment of a precision solar tracking system. The system developed in this study consists of motion controllers, motor drives, step-motors, feedback devices and application. CRD sensors are applied for the solar tracking system which play a primary role in poor conditions for tracking due to a gear backlash and a strong wind. Mini-dish was used as a concentrator for collecting sun light. The solar position data, in terms of azimuth and elevation, sunrise and sunset times was compared with those of KASI(Korea Astronomy & Space Science Institute). The results presented in this paper demonstrate the accuracy of the present system in solar tracking and utilization.

• Journal of the Korean Solar Energy Society
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.98-107
• /
• 2010

This paper introduces step by step procedures for the design, fabrication and operation of a solar tracking system. The system presented in this study consists of motion controllers, motor drives, step-motors, feedback devices and other accessories to support its functional stability. CdS sensors are used to constantly generate feedback signals to the controller, which assures a high-precision solar tracking even under adverse conditions. It enables instant correction if the system goes off track by strong winds causing gear backlash. A parabolic dish concentrator is mounted on the tracking system whose diameter was 30cm. The solar position data, in terms of azimuth and elevation, sunrise and sunset times were compared with those of the Astronomical Applications Department of the U.S. Naval Observatory. The results presented here clearly demonstrate the high-accuracy of the present system in solar tracking, which are applicable to many existing solar systems.

• Journal of the Korean Solar Energy Society
• /
• v.30 no.5
• /
• pp.107-114
• /
• 2010

Understanding of reflectance of solar concentrators is important for assessing concentration performance. However inaccurate data about refractive indices of constituent materials and dust accumulation on the surface often prevent figuring out reflectance variations. The current study proposes an approach calculating concentrator reflectance based on the refractive index of glass obtained from reflectance and transmittance measurements. This approach improved accuracy of solar-averaged reflectance from 2.9% to 0.4% compared to the use of existing reference data. Reflectance variations with incidence angles are negligible up to $60^{\circ}C$ at various glass thicknesses. When concentrators are contaminated with dust during 2 months specular reflectance loss of vertically exposed concentrators is less than 7%. However for horizontally exposed concentrators the loss significantly increases up to 40% while dependence of reflectance on incidence angles becomes strong. Measurements of hemispherical reflectance indicate that 80 percentage of the loss comes from scattering rather than absorption by dust. Data of refractive index and reflectance provided in the current study will help estimate or model the concentrated solar flux.

• Current Optics and Photonics
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.50-56
• /
• 2020

The design of a concentration system for a solar side-pumped slab laser was investigated. The side size of the slab laser medium is 2 mm × 20 mm. Based on the principle of the edge ray, a secondary concentrating system consisting of a rectangular parabolic mirror (RPM) and a rectangular dielectric-filled compound parabolic concentrator (RDCPC) was demonstrated. The focal length of RPM is 1200 mm and the size is 734 mm × 2000 mm. The outlet size of the RDCPC is 2 mm × 20 mm. The concentration effect was analyzed by using Tracepro optical software. The results showed that the concentration efficiency reached 81.3% and the uniformity of the spot was 91.4% after optimization. This design of concentration system is of great reference value for a solar side-pumped slab laser.

• 한국태양에너지학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 2012.03a
• /
• pp.113-119
• /
• 2012

The two-step water splitting thermochemical cycle is composed of the T-R (Thermal Reduction) and W-D (Water Decomposition) steps. The mechanism of this cycle is oxidation-reduction, which produces hydrogen. The reaction temperature necessary for this thermochemical cycle can be achieved by a dish-type solar thermal collector (Inha University, Korea). The purpose of this study is to validate a water splitting device in the field. The device is studied and fabricated by Kodama et al (2010, 2011). The validation results show that the foam device, when loaded with $CeO_2$ powder, was successfully achieved hydrogen production under field conditions. Through this experiment, we can analyze the characteristics of the catalyst and able to determine which is more advantageous thing to produce hydrogen compared with previous experiment that used ferrite-device.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers P
• /
• v.63 no.4
• /
• pp.283-289
• /
• 2014

A Fresnel lens is an optical component which can be used as a cost-effective, lightweight alternative to conventional continuous surface optics. Fresnel lens solar concentrators continue to fulfill a market requirement as a system component in high volume cost effective Concentrating Photovoltaic (CPV) electricity generation. The basic principles of the fresnel lens are reviewed and some practical examples are described. To investigate the performance space of the Fresnel lens, a fast simulation method which is a hybrid between raytracing and analytical computation is employed to generate a cache of simulation data. Injection molders are warming up to the idea of cycling their tool surface temperature during the molding cycle rather than keeping it constant. Heat and cool process are now also finding that raising the mold wall temperature above the resin's glass-transition or crystalline melting temperature during the filling stage and product performance in applications from automotive to packaging to optics. This paper deals with the suitability of Fresnel lenses of imaging and non-imaging designs for solar energy concentration. The concentration fresnel lens confirmed machinability and optical transmittance and roughness measure through manufactured the prototype.

• Journal of the Optical Society of Korea
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.247-255
• /
• 2012

Daylighting has a very effective role in reducing power consumption and improving indoor environments in office buildings. Previously, it was not under consideration as a major source of renewable energy due to poor reliability in the design. Optical fiber as a transmission medium in the daylighting system demands uniform distribution of light to solve cost, heat, and efficiency issues. Therefore, this study focuses on the uniform distribution of sunlight through the fiber bundle and to the interior of the building. To this end, two efficient approaches for the fiber-based daylighting system are presented. The first approach consists of a parabolic mirror, and the second approach contains a Fresnel lens. Sunlight is captured, guided, and distributed through the concentrator, optical fibers, and lenses, respectively. At the capturing stage, uniform illumination solves the heat problem, which has critical importance in making the system cost-effective by introducing plastic optical fibers. The efficiency of the system is increased by collimated light, which helps to insert maximum light into the optical fibers. Furthermore, we find that the hybrid system of combining sunlight and light emitting diode light gives better illumination levels than that of traditional lighting systems. Simulation and experimental results have shown that the efficiency of the system is better than previous fiber-based daylighting systems.

• Journal of the Korean Solar Energy Society
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.104-113
• /
• 2012

A set of candela distribution curves(CDCs) were generated for a fiber optic dish daylighting system by Photopia under clear sky conditions at different solar altitudes. The candela distribution curves were then exported to Radiance for photometric analysis of a windowless lecture room. Observations were made on the Radiance rendered illuminance images, which provided photo realistic scenes varying with solar altitudes. If no tracking error were assumed, the daylight collection efficiency of the system remained at a constant value of 68.4% during its operation. Higher the solar altitude angle, greater in photometric quantities were observed, which are represented by candela(cd) and total lumens(lm). In all cases considered, however, the angle of light distribution remained fixed reflecting the solar tracking feature of the system. The illuminance uniformity on the workplane lingered around 0.12, which is quite low. This is quite a contrast to its average value of 0.68 of the $2.7m^2$ area directly below the terminal device (diffuser) of the system. The maximum illuminance of 1,340lux was obtained at a solar altitude of 80 degrees.

• Journal of the Korean Solar Energy Society
• /
• v.30 no.6
• /
• pp.118-124
• /
• 2010

In order to develop commercial model of 10kW dish-Stirling solar thermal power system, modification for the exiting facility was taken for a year as a Leading Project in KIER. During the project, solar tracking system, control and monitoring system and high durability reflector were developed and long term operation were performed. The solar tracking system was tested for four months to investigate the degree of precision and adapted to the control system for an actual operation from October in 2009. The sun tracking accuracy of ${\pm}4$ mrad using modified control system was obtained and the system operated successfully during the experimental period. The monitoring system displays engine pressure, electric generation amounts, generator RPM, receiver temperatures, and etc. from Stirling engine and weather data of Direct Normal Irradiation, Horizontal Global Insolation, wind speed & direction, and atmosphere temperature from weather station. According to the operating results in a clear sky day, electric power of 6,890 W was generated at the DNI value of 850 W/$m^2$ and the averaged solar-to-electricity efficiency during a whole day reached to 18.99%. From the overall operating results, linear power generation trend could be observed with increasing DNI value. The solar-to-electricity efficiency achieved to 19% around the DNI value of 700 W/$m^2$ and increased to 20% when the DNI value goes up to 900 W/$m^2$.