Computer Modelling of the Optical Behavior of Homogenizers in High-Flux Solar Furnaces
Solar radiation homogenizers are multi-mirror devices that try to reshape the solar radiation distribution coming from a concentrator, so that, after passing through the homogenizer, the light flux becomes as much evenly distributed as possible. The optical behavior of these multi-reflective devices...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-03-01
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| Series: | Energies |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/7/1828 |
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| author | José Carlos Garcia Pereira Kaveh Rahmani Luís Guerra Rosa |
| author_facet | José Carlos Garcia Pereira Kaveh Rahmani Luís Guerra Rosa |
| author_sort | José Carlos Garcia Pereira |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Solar radiation homogenizers are multi-mirror devices that try to reshape the solar radiation distribution coming from a concentrator, so that, after passing through the homogenizer, the light flux becomes as much evenly distributed as possible. The optical behavior of these multi-reflective devices is complex and still ill-understood. The geometry of the concentrator defines the features of the concentrated flux and then the characteristics of a particular homogenizer must be chosen according to the envisaged use. In this work, we developed and used optical ray-tracing software to investigate how the homogenizer’s optical output is affected by the following homogenizer’s characteristics: (i) Number of reflecting surfaces; (ii) total length; (iii) position (relative to focal plane); and (iv) tilt angle (inclination) of reflecting surfaces. The obtained results provide valuable information for the use of these optical devices and may contribute to the development of more efficient strategies for homogenization of concentrated radiation generated by high-flux solar furnaces. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T12:55:35Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ddbba5bf5e6d431c835ca67783bf1504 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T12:55:35Z |
| publishDate | 2021-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj.art-ddbba5bf5e6d431c835ca67783bf15042023-11-21T11:58:20ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732021-03-01147182810.3390/en14071828Computer Modelling of the Optical Behavior of Homogenizers in High-Flux Solar FurnacesJosé Carlos Garcia Pereira0Kaveh Rahmani1Luís Guerra Rosa2Departamento de Engenharia Química, Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, PortugalIDMEC, Instituto de Engenharia Mecânica, Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, PortugalIDMEC, Instituto de Engenharia Mecânica, Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, PortugalSolar radiation homogenizers are multi-mirror devices that try to reshape the solar radiation distribution coming from a concentrator, so that, after passing through the homogenizer, the light flux becomes as much evenly distributed as possible. The optical behavior of these multi-reflective devices is complex and still ill-understood. The geometry of the concentrator defines the features of the concentrated flux and then the characteristics of a particular homogenizer must be chosen according to the envisaged use. In this work, we developed and used optical ray-tracing software to investigate how the homogenizer’s optical output is affected by the following homogenizer’s characteristics: (i) Number of reflecting surfaces; (ii) total length; (iii) position (relative to focal plane); and (iv) tilt angle (inclination) of reflecting surfaces. The obtained results provide valuable information for the use of these optical devices and may contribute to the development of more efficient strategies for homogenization of concentrated radiation generated by high-flux solar furnaces.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/7/1828solar furnace optimizationradiation homogenizerflux distributionoptical modellingray tracing simulations |
| spellingShingle | José Carlos Garcia Pereira Kaveh Rahmani Luís Guerra Rosa Computer Modelling of the Optical Behavior of Homogenizers in High-Flux Solar Furnaces Energies solar furnace optimization radiation homogenizer flux distribution optical modelling ray tracing simulations |
| title | Computer Modelling of the Optical Behavior of Homogenizers in High-Flux Solar Furnaces |
| title_full | Computer Modelling of the Optical Behavior of Homogenizers in High-Flux Solar Furnaces |
| title_fullStr | Computer Modelling of the Optical Behavior of Homogenizers in High-Flux Solar Furnaces |
| title_full_unstemmed | Computer Modelling of the Optical Behavior of Homogenizers in High-Flux Solar Furnaces |
| title_short | Computer Modelling of the Optical Behavior of Homogenizers in High-Flux Solar Furnaces |
| title_sort | computer modelling of the optical behavior of homogenizers in high flux solar furnaces |
| topic | solar furnace optimization radiation homogenizer flux distribution optical modelling ray tracing simulations |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/7/1828 |
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