Parabolic Trough Prototype
Introduction
Gang Xiao, professor at University of Nice, France, has developed a low-cost parabolic trough solar thermal concentrator, applicable to electricity production. He is pursuing the steam engine as the heat engine of choice.
Factor e Farm is interested in evaluating the performance of this system by building a prototype. Here are the detailed instructions for prototype deployment.
Concept
Bill of Materials
Estimation of the material cost for 1m2 of collector. The costs are in dollars.
| Use | Material | Specification | Quantity | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cover | tempered glass | 5mm | 1.05m2 | ? |
| Back and ends | steel sheet | 0.5mm | 1.6m2 | ? |
| Structural pieces | stainless steel bars and angles | width around 15mm | ~15m | ? |
| Bearings | metal tubes | φ40mm×20mm | 2 | 2 |
| Support | Plastic pieces | to be moulded | 2 | 2? |
| Photodetector | photoresistors+case | - | 1 | 2? |
| Controller + gear | commercially available | - | 1 | 10-30 |
| Receiver | metal tube | configurable | ~1.2m | ~5 |
| Chassis | square steel tubes | 30mm | ~3m | 5? |
Questions: ==#Structural pieces - what is the thickness, and how much of it is angle and how much of it is bar?== --- Roughly, half-half. ==#Can the support pieces be printed with RepRap if we have access to it? ==--- Yes. ==Can you show a picture and dimensions of the plastic pieces?== --- That will come. ==#Specify photodetector and photoresistor, plus size of case ==--- See my DIY document.
- One axis controller, and what about the control motor? Show the angle tilt mechanism.
- Diameter and wall thickness of collector tube? --- These are interchangeable.
- What about sealing of corners?
- What about reflective coating? --- Mylar film.
- What about couplers for collector tube and intercollector connection for stringing multiple collectors? --- Ordinary (home water supply) tube connectors.
- What about stand and base? --- Rather free design.
