Experimental Evaluation of a Concentrated Solar Parabolic Dish

Abstract

This thesis focuses on the evaluation of the optical performance of concentrated Solar Parabolic Dishes (SPDs) from Cleanergy (now Azelio), Sweden and ZED Solar, Pakistan in the climatic conditions of Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates. The primary objective is to assess the highly concentrated solar flux through a comprehensive review of measurement and calculation methods. Additionally, the study includes the design, manufacturing, and testing of a crucible to melt 1 kg of aluminum from Emirates Global Aluminum (EGA) using Cleanergy SPD.

The study begins with the installation and commissioning of a ZED Solar dish at Khalifa University's Masdar Institute Solar Platform (25.44204 N 54.61677 E). This involves a step-by-step process encompassing mechanical installation, control system installation, functionality testing, and mirror alignment.

To measure the concentrated solar flux accurately, an indirect flux measurement system is developed by incorporating a Lambertian target, Schmidt-Boelter heat flux gauge, and CMOS camera. The optical characteristics of the Lambertian target are evaluated, and the Schmidt-Boelter gauge is calibrated using Mikron's blackbody heated spherical cavity.

In the search for an appropriate raytracing program to calculate concentrated solar flux, a comparison is conducted between general-purpose software (TracePro®) and solar-specific software (SolTRACE and Tonatiuh). SolTRACE is identified as the most accurate software for the calculation of concentrated solar flux.

Using the developed flux measurement system and SolTRACE raytracing program, the optical efficiency and concentration ratio of the Cleanergy dish are measured and found to be 90.6% and 1000, respectively, at the focal plane. Similarly, for the ZED Solar dish, the optical efficiency and concentration ratio are calculated to be 86.04% and 1260, respectively, at the focal plane.

This study contributes to the advancement of concentrated solar thermal technology by providing insights into the optical performance of Cleanergy and ZED Solar SPDs. The findings offer valuable information regarding total power, optical efficiency, and concentration ratio, facilitating informed decision-making in the field of concentrated solar thermal power. Furthermore, the design, manufacturing, and testing of a crucible to melt 1 kg of aluminum using Cleanergy SPD adds a practical dimension to the study, demonstrating its potential for industrial applications in collaboration with EGA.

Date of Award	Aug 2023
Original language	American English
Supervisor	Nicolas Calvet (Supervisor)