Structured Light Profilometry on m-PTC

Year: 2020

Authors: Marotta G., Sansoni P., Francini F., Jafrancesco D., De Lucia M., Fontani D.

Autors Affiliation: Natl Inst Opt CNR INO, I-50125 Florence, Italy; Univ Florence, Dept Ind Engn, I-50139 Florence, Italy.

Abstract: In concentrating solar systems, it is essential to study the optical losses of the collectors. A fundamental parameter is the intercept factor, namely, the fraction of sunrays reflected by the concentrator that reaches the receiver. Optical profilometry studies the relationship between the collector profile and the intercept factor, which influences the collection efficiency. Profilometric analyses were performed on a micro-parabolic trough collector (m-PTC), with reduced sizes and greater mirror curvature than a usual PTC. The proposed technique projects a luminous pattern (structured light) both on the collector with an opaque covering and on a flat reference plane. Measurement set-up and calibration technique were developed for m-PTC. A program coded in Python analyzed the images and reconstructs the mirror profile. The tilted reference plane was reconstructed using an original geometric model and a calibration procedure. The focal length of each parabolic section was calculated, providing information on surface defects in the mirror. An
important parameter obtained was the displacement of the focus of the parabola with respect to the ideal position. Using this value, the intercept factor was estimated to be 0.89. The proposed technique was validated by comparing the results with an independent profilometric study applied to the same m-PTC.

Journal/Review: ENERGIES

Volume: 13 (21)      Pages from: 5671-1  to: 5671-17

KeyWords: parabolic trough collectors; profilometry; structured light; intercept factor; optical measurement; solar energy
DOI: 10.3390/en13215671

Citations: 3
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