Solar Concentrator

Research Facility
---
A Path to Hydrogen
Production

A Lab in the Sun!

Frank R. Leslie,
B.S.E.E., M.S. Space Technology, LS IEEE
3/8/2006
1. Abstract Abstract
• Objective of providing
high temperature
materials and chemical Paraboloidal reflector can
reactor achieve ~3000°F at focus
• Goals Facility for high temperature
materials testing and chemical
• Water purification reactors for water purification
• Hydrogen production and H2 production
• Demonstrate solar Provides student interaction
concentrator science with high temperature solar
• Cost (1/27/2005 est.) system
• Hardware $800 Shared by various Florida Tech
• Student Stipends $220 colleges and the Hydrogen
• Misc. $180 Center
• Est. Total $1200

3/8/2005FRL
2. Background Background
Paraboloidal reflector
• Ten-foot C-band satellite concentrates solar energy
dish was available after
hurricane - Sandia
• Frank Leslie visited - France
Sandia National Thermal - Egypt: 1903 at Meadi
Laboratory ~1990 and
- Solar Tower: Albuquerque
saw concentrators NM molten salt
• Adding reflective - Solar One: Barstow CA
material over original molten salt
steel mesh will produce a - Solar Two: Barstow CA
nonimaging concentrated thermal oil
spot of ~600 suns
intensity

3/8/2005FRL
3. Research Facility Research Facility

• Modify C-band satcom

reflector to develop
inexpensive research
and educational solar
facility
• Disseminate
construction plans at
fee for other scientific
uses

Al foil simulation
Photos by F. Leslie, 2005 1/27/2005FRL
3.1 Concentrator Characteristics

• Diameter: 10 ft
• Area: 78.5 sq ft
• Typical Insolation: 1000 watts/m
• Concentration Ratio = 78.5ft2/0.00136ft2 = 57720
• Reflectivity = 83%
• Effective Concentration Ratio = 47908
• Focal Distance = ~40 inches

• Trailer mounted to move to experimenter or to

public events

3/8/2005FRL
4. Paraboloidal Paraboloidal Surface
Surface
18 gores or wedges

• Existing ribs enforce 18”

parabolic shape on ~60”
panels
• Forms nonimaging spot •Slide-in expanded metal
focus ~1/2 to 1” mesh
diameter (TBD) •Cover with aluminum foil
sprayed with clear
• Concentrates heat in automotive coat
receiver to produce •Better approach is to use
high temperature Alanod 410G mirror
aluminum sheets with a
• Test with mirrored strip reflectivity of 83% in place
showed a 1/2 inch spot of the mesh
size

3/82005FRL
5. Polar/Equatorial Mount Polar Mount
(conceptual trailer mount)
• Support axis pipe tipped
at latitude angle
• Manual turnbuckle
adjustments tilt dish in N-
S declination for seasonal 28°
changes
• Upgrade to servo
desirable
South Linear
• Elevates to 90 degrees actuator
for high wind minimum
drag resistance
• Right ascension tracking
drives motor at
15.04°/hour to follow sun
• Photosensor aids tracking Trailer Tongue to right

Jack Stands (4) Plywood bed

1/31/2005FRL
6. Polar Drive Polar Drive

• Linear actuator tracks

sun through
photosensor servo
• Manual controls for
Polar
service: off, run, tilt Axis
east, tilt west, vertical
• Steel on lubricated Right
steel pivot pipe for sun Ascension
Actuator
tracking (slow mover)
• Declination adjusted
“on occasion”; 3-5
(TBR) week interval?
• Add declination servo

1/31/2005FRL
7. Absorber Mount Absorber Mount

• ½” galv. iron pipes

from rim support the
central absorber frame
• Focus is ~40 inches
from back of dish
• Support pipes can carry
fluid
• Air, water, steam
• Insulated to reduce loss
Fluid can pass through
• Various receivers/ upper & lower pipes
absorbers mount to
frame with bolts; three
to start

1/31/2005FRL
8. Receivers/Absorbers Absorbers
Frame
• Metal receivers quickly
bolt to frame
• Fluid connections to (3) Iron pipes

absorber as needed
• Width of frame is larger
than hot spot to reduce
connection heating
Frame width about 50%
• Frame and receiver are larger than focal spot of
small to limit ray ~1/2 inch
blocking on reflector
• Approximately 50%
larger than a C-band
antenna feed horn
1/31/2005FRL
9. Absorber Types Absorber Types

Flat
• Flat plate thermal
Steel or
testing Ceramic
Plate Steel
• Water ultraviolet Box
purification studies
Pyrex Glass
• Steam boiler engine Front
drive
• Water dissociation for
All steel
hydrogen research box
• Focus is on plate
surface or midway
plane of box
• Mounting sets focal plane
Copper
Coil
1/31/2005FRL
10. Research
Elsewhere
• High temperature
concentrator research
Research Elsewhere
Sandia Nat’l Labs, NM
FSEC 1990s
Univ. of Sidney, Australia

usually done at national NASA

labs
• Satcom dish reuse
offers an inexpensive
way to do solar thermal
testing
• Potential facility for
local science teachers
(outreach potential)

1/312005FRL
11. Construction Construction Plans
Development Plans Preliminary Budget Cost
Design
• Preliminary design
• Cost the project Construction Seek
Funding
• Seek funding
• Determine location
Enlist Refine
• Build support structure Support Design
and mount reflector
• Enlist faculty and
student support
• Refine design

1/27/2005FRL
What’s Needed to Make it Work
• Encouragement
• Funding
• Steel pipe, trailer, electronics, drive motor, reflective
material, coatings, labor costs, etc.
• Location
• In sun from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Away from falling tree limbs, high winds, etc.
• Convenient to main campus researchers and
students
• Visible to campus tours as impressive facility
• Transportable for public events and school displays

3/8/2005FRL
How We Will Achieve This
• Preliminary design
• Determine various locations
• Site survey for sun access
• Fabricate polar axis tube and mount
• Laminate reflective material to mesh gores
• Mount drive assembly to reflector
• Build and install receiver assembly
• Install and test tracking servo(s)
• Run initial tests

3/8/2005FRL
12. References
General:
Boyle, Godfrey. Renewable Energy: Second Edition. Open University, 2004.

Thermal Testing:
 Duffie, John and William A. Beckman. Solar Engineering of Thermal
Processes. NY: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 920 pp., 1991
Thermal Energy Conversion:
 Duffie, John and William A. Beckman. Solar Engineering of Thermal
Processes. NY: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 920 pp., 1991
Water Purification:

Water Dissociation for Hydrogen Production:

1/27/2005FRL
13. Websites
General:

Thermal Testing:

Thermal Energy Conversion:

Australian National University
http://www.portalenergy.com/caddet/retb/no105.pdf
Water Purification:

Water Dissociation for Hydrogen Production:

Australia http://www.hydrogen.asn.au/
http://www.hydrogen.asn.au/hydrogen-supply-infrastructure.htm

1/31/2005FRL