Laser Profilometry on Micro-PTC
Profilometry is useful in detecting surface faults on solar concentrators, which can be imperfectly manufactured, thus affecting system performance. Profilometric analyses are performed on a micro-parabolic trough collector (m-PTC), with reduced sizes and greater mirror curvature than a usual PTC. T...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2022-07-01
|
| Series: | Energies |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/15/14/5293 |
| _version_ | 1797406493284237312 |
|---|---|
| author | Gianluca Marotta Daniela Fontani Franco Francini David Jafrancesco Maurizio De Lucia Paola Sansoni |
| author_facet | Gianluca Marotta Daniela Fontani Franco Francini David Jafrancesco Maurizio De Lucia Paola Sansoni |
| author_sort | Gianluca Marotta |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Profilometry is useful in detecting surface faults on solar concentrators, which can be imperfectly manufactured, thus affecting system performance. Profilometric analyses are performed on a micro-parabolic trough collector (m-PTC), with reduced sizes and greater mirror curvature than a usual PTC. The peculiar dimensions and shape of this micro-PTC request to develop a specific configuration of laser profilometry. It includes a laser diode with a converging lens placed in front of it, ensuring that the mirror curvature does not affect the beam reflection. A new method to calculate the spot position furnishes the reflected beam center even if it lies outside the target, giving it a virtual expansion. The profile is assessed with an iterative calculation, starting from a first point, physically measured. The results are the 3D profile reconstruction of the parabolic mirror and a map of the slope error for each mirror point. It also estimates the <i>intercept factor</i>, a parameter fundamental to optimize the m-PTC system, whose value is in agreement with a structured light measurement on the same object. This <i>intercept factor</i> was obtained averaging the <i>local intercept factor</i> calculated for each mirror point, which individuates the mirror portions not focusing the sunrays on the tube. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T03:27:16Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4fc57ab2f8f040d8942064060ebd1976 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T03:27:16Z |
| publishDate | 2022-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj.art-4fc57ab2f8f040d8942064060ebd19762023-12-03T15:01:08ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732022-07-011514529310.3390/en15145293Laser Profilometry on Micro-PTCGianluca Marotta0Daniela Fontani1Franco Francini2David Jafrancesco3Maurizio De Lucia4Paola Sansoni5National Research Council—National Institute of Optics (CNR-INO), 50125 Florence, ItalyNational Research Council—National Institute of Optics (CNR-INO), 50125 Florence, ItalyNational Research Council—National Institute of Optics (CNR-INO), 50125 Florence, ItalyNational Research Council—National Institute of Optics (CNR-INO), 50125 Florence, ItalyDepartment of Industrial Engineering, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, ItalyNational Research Council—National Institute of Optics (CNR-INO), 50125 Florence, ItalyProfilometry is useful in detecting surface faults on solar concentrators, which can be imperfectly manufactured, thus affecting system performance. Profilometric analyses are performed on a micro-parabolic trough collector (m-PTC), with reduced sizes and greater mirror curvature than a usual PTC. The peculiar dimensions and shape of this micro-PTC request to develop a specific configuration of laser profilometry. It includes a laser diode with a converging lens placed in front of it, ensuring that the mirror curvature does not affect the beam reflection. A new method to calculate the spot position furnishes the reflected beam center even if it lies outside the target, giving it a virtual expansion. The profile is assessed with an iterative calculation, starting from a first point, physically measured. The results are the 3D profile reconstruction of the parabolic mirror and a map of the slope error for each mirror point. It also estimates the <i>intercept factor</i>, a parameter fundamental to optimize the m-PTC system, whose value is in agreement with a structured light measurement on the same object. This <i>intercept factor</i> was obtained averaging the <i>local intercept factor</i> calculated for each mirror point, which individuates the mirror portions not focusing the sunrays on the tube.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/15/14/5293parabolic trough collectorsprofilometrylaser<i>intercept factor</i>optical measurementsolar energy |
| spellingShingle | Gianluca Marotta Daniela Fontani Franco Francini David Jafrancesco Maurizio De Lucia Paola Sansoni Laser Profilometry on Micro-PTC Energies parabolic trough collectors profilometry laser <i>intercept factor</i> optical measurement solar energy |
| title | Laser Profilometry on Micro-PTC |
| title_full | Laser Profilometry on Micro-PTC |
| title_fullStr | Laser Profilometry on Micro-PTC |
| title_full_unstemmed | Laser Profilometry on Micro-PTC |
| title_short | Laser Profilometry on Micro-PTC |
| title_sort | laser profilometry on micro ptc |
| topic | parabolic trough collectors profilometry laser <i>intercept factor</i> optical measurement solar energy |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/15/14/5293 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT gianlucamarotta laserprofilometryonmicroptc AT danielafontani laserprofilometryonmicroptc AT francofrancini laserprofilometryonmicroptc AT davidjafrancesco laserprofilometryonmicroptc AT mauriziodelucia laserprofilometryonmicroptc AT paolasansoni laserprofilometryonmicroptc |