Cylindrical Fresnel lens solar concentrator doesnt need suntracking system

Alexander Bojukliski alxlas@netscape.net

Ralf Leutz ralf.leutz@concentratoroptics.com
Christo Angelov, hangelov@inrne.bas.bg
Ivo Kalapov, kalapov@inrne.bas.bg
Details and results
Concentrator is composed of equally segments (concentrators) with common receiver. The receiver is cylindrical pipe. Each of the
segments directs incoming light to receiver for fixed angle of incident. Acceptance angle is 0.57 degrees. Outer surface of each segment
is part of cylinder. The inner surface is composed of great number of prisms. The cross-section of each prism is isosceles triangle.
Concentration ratio is periodical function of angle of incidence. This function has maximum and minimum values. The value of
minimum is greater than 1. The maxim value is reached when all of the prisms from one segment direct light in receiver. For illustration
of the properties of concentrator, model with the following parameters was chosen: radius of outer cylindrical area 53 mm. The
thickness of PMMA sheet 3mm. Radius of receiver-50 m.Maximal concentration ratio 50x. Minimal concentration ratio 8x. Period
of variation of the concentration ratio 5.73 degrees = 23 min. All drafts are scaled. For scaling of the concentrator, algorithms and
computer code are developed. The program computes elements of prisms and dimension of concentrator under preliminary given by user
parameters (concentration ratio, receiver dimension, power in receiver, thickness of PMMA sheet). Concentration ratio is periodical
function of angle of incidence. This function has maximum and minimum values. The minimum value is greater than 1.
Fig. 1 Acceptance angle of separate segment. One
side from isosceles prism in segment directs
incoming light to receiver for fixed angle of
incidence. Acceptance angle of segment for this
angle of incidence is 0.57 degrees.
Fig.2 Another side from each prism has different
angle of view. Angle of view is changing for each
prism. The largest prism has an angle of view 79
degres, and increases for every next prism.
Fig.3 Angles of view for the different prisms
in the segment.
Fig. 4 Realizing of tracking effect.
At the angle of incidence 86 degrees part of
the prisms in segment 1 and 2 deflects the
incidence sun rays to receiver. When the angle
of incidence is changing to 84 degres, other
prisms direct sun's rays to receiver.
Fig. 5 Which prisms work at the angle of
incidence 77.5 degrees from segment 2 and
segment 3.
Fig. 6 An angle of incidence 0 degrees at
which concentration ratio is maximal =50X.
Fig. 7 An angle of incidence 5.73 degrees at
which concentration ratio is minimal =8X.
Fig. 8 An angle of incidence 2 degrees at
which concentration ratio =20X.
Fig. 9 An angle of incidence 23 degrees=10:30AM.
In this case concentration ratio is also maximal
Fig. 10 The relation between angles at which prisms are located and the radius of the receiver. For prism 1 which is located at angle 1, radius of
receiver is d1 =50 micrometer (maximal). For prism m which is located at angle m, the radius of receiver is dm. The relation is A1/Am=d1/dm
Fig. 11 Tracking effect on the boundary between
two segments.
Conclusion
Wide angle linear concentrator, working without suntracking system was constructed. Algorithm and program for calculation of the concentrator was developed. The
program calculates the elements of the concentrator under preliminary given by the consumer parameters. The data format is acceptable by CAD/CAM 3D axis mill. The
same algorithm and program could be used for constructing of spherical Fresnel lens solar concentrator.