Publications

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The goal of the Stretched-Membrane Dish Program is the development of a dish solar concentrator fabricated with a single optical element capable of collecting 60 kWt. Solar Kinetics, Inc., has constructed a prototype 7-meter dish to demonstrate the manufacturability and optical performance of this innovative design. The reflective surface of the dish consists of a plastically deformed metal membrane with a separate reflective polymer membrane on top, both held in place by a low-level vacuum. Sandia conducted a test program to determine the on-sum performance of the dish. The vacuum setting was varied 8.9- to 17. 2-cm of water column and the vertex to target distance was varied over a range of 15.24 cm to evaluate beam quality. The optimal setting for the vacuum was 11.4 centimeters of water column with the best beam quality of 6.4 centimeters behind the theoretical focal point of the dish. Flux arrays based on slope error from the CIRCE2 computer code were compared to the measured flux array of the dish. The uniformly distributed slope error of 2.3 milliradians was determined as the value that would produce a modeled array with the minimum mean square difference to the measured array. Cold water calorimetry measured a power of 23.3 {plus minus} .3 kWt. Reflectivity change from an initial value of 88.3% to 76.7% over a one year period. 12 refs.

The Faceted Stretched-Membrane Dish Program is part of a DOE-sponsored effort to develop a commercial 25 kWe dish/Stirling system employing a twelve-facet dish concentrator. The facets will utilize the stretched-membrane technology originated in the heliostat development program. Each facet is constructed with a thin metal membrane stretched over both sides of a steel ring. When a small vacuum is induced between the membranes they assume a parabolic contour capable of concentrating sunlight at a predetermined focal length. A reflective polymer film is attached to the face of the facet of the facet to enhance the optical performance. During Phase II of the Faceted Stretched-Membrane Dish Program, Science Applications International Corp. and Solar Kinetics, Inc., constructed prototype 3.5-meter facets utilizing different design approaches to demonstrate their manufacturability and optical performance. Sandia engaged in a program to determine the on-sun performance of the facets (for f/Ds of 2.7 to 3.0). A uniformly distributed slope error was used as the basis for comparison. Flux arrays based on slope error from a computer model were compared to a measured flux array for each facet. The slope error for the facet was determined by the value that would produce a modeled array with the minimum mean square difference to the measured array. The facet produced by SAIC demonstrated uniform slope errors of 2.2 to 3.0 milliradians with peak flux intesities of 334 to 416 kW/m{sup 2}. The SKI facet had slope errors of 1.6 to 1.9 milliradians with peak flux intesities of 543 to 1186 kW/m{sup 2}.

The drive designed and built by the Solar Power Engineering Company (SPECO) for its large area heliostat failed under high wind loads during a winter storm. This report details the testing and analysis done to verify the load capabilities of the rebuilt heliostat drive. Changes in design and improvements in fabrication resulted in a usable drive. 12 figs., 7 tabs.

A molten salt cavity receiver was solar tested at Sandia National Laboratories during a year-long test program. Upon completion of testing, an analysis was performed to determine the effect of thermal cycling on the receiver. The results indicate substantial fatigue damage accumulation for the receiver when the relatively short test time is considered. This paper describes the methodology used to analyze the cycling, the results, and how they affect future receiver design. The test receiver was configured as a C-shaped cavity with eight multipass heat absorption panels. The tubes were Alloy 800. The heat exchange medium was a molten nitrate salt mixture (60% sodium nitrate, 40% potassium nitrate by weight). The operating temperature range was from 288°C to 566°C.