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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 163 records · Page 9

Survey of coatings for solar collectors

Ceramic enamel is found to be more solar selective, (i.e., has high solar absorptance in combination with low infrared emittance) than organic enamel, but neither is as solar selective as black chrome, black copper, black zinc, or black nickel. Ceramic enamel is matched only by black chrome in durability and wide availability. Ceramic enamel and organic enamel have approximately the same cost, and both are currently slightly lower in cost than black chrome, black copper, or black zinc. Black nickel is relatively unavailable and, because of that, realistic cost comparisons are not possible.

Mcdonald, G. E.↗

Solar-Collector Radiometer

Water-cooled Kendall radiometer measures output of solar energy concentrators. Unit measures irradiance up to 30,000 solar constants with 1 percent accuracy and responds to wavelengths from ultraviolet to far infrared.

Kendall, J. M., Jr↗

Evaluating Solar Collectors

Survey discusses several methods for assessing performance of solar-concentrator designs to determine whether given design suitable for given high-temperature solar powered generator system.

Wen, L. C.↗

Improved black nickel coatings for flat plate solar collectors

A new black nickel formula was developed which had a solar absorptance of 0.92 and an infrared emittance (at 100 C) of less than 0.10 after 14 days at 38 C and 95 percent relative humidity. The electroplating bath and conditions were changed to obtain the more stable coating configuration. The effect of bath composition, temperature, pH, and plating current density and time on the coating composition, optical properties and durability were investigated.

Lin, J. H.↗

Performance evaluation of an air solar collector

Indoor tests on signal-glazed flat-plate collector are described in report. Marhsall Space Flight Center solar simulator is used to make tests. Test included evaluations on thermal performance under various combinations of flow rate, incident flux, inlet temperature, and wind speed. Results are presented in graph/table form.

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Evaluation of an evacuated-tube liquid solar collector

Indoor and outdoor thermal performances of collectors are compared in report. Tests conducted on indoor solar simulator with data from both diffuse and specular reflectors are presented graphically and in tables. Comparisons with previous data for prototype show effects of improved mainfold.

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Evaluation of an air solar collector

Performance verification under simulated conditions tested by using Marshall Space Flight Center solar simulator is presented. Evaluation included thermal performance tests, time constant tests, and incident angle modifier tests.

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Hail risk model for solar collectors

This report presents the results of a study assessing the probability of solar arrays being struck by hailstones of various sizes as a function of geographic location and service life. The study complements parallel studies of solar array sensitivity to hail damage, the final objective being an estimate of the most cost effective level for solar array hail protection. A key element of this study involves the generation of a statistical model describing the probability of impact by hailstones of various sizes and estimating the mean time between hits.

Gonzalez, C.↗

Solar Collector With Image-Forming Mirror Cavity to Irradiate Small Central Volume

A unique solar thermal chamber has been designed and fabricated to produce the maximum concentration of solar energy and higher temperature possible. Its primary purpose was for solar plasma propulsion experiments and related material specimen testing above 3000 K. The design not only maximized solar concentration, but also, minimized infrared heat loss. This paper provides the underlying theory and operation of the chamber and initial optical correlation to the actual fabricated hardware. The chamber is placed at the focal point of an existing primary concentrator with a 2.74 m (9 ft) focal length. A quartz lens focuses a small sun image at the inlet hole of the mirrored cavity. The lens focuses two image planes at prescribed positions; the sun at the cavity's entrance hole and the primary concentrator at the junction plane of two surfaces that form the cavity chamber. The back half is an ellipsoid reflector that produces a 1.27 cm diameter final sun image. The image is "suspended in space," 7.1 cm away from the nearest cavity surface, to minimize thermal and contaminate damage to the mirror surfaces. A hemisphere mirror makes up the front chamber and has its center of curvature at the target image, where rays leaving the target are reflected back upon themselves, minimizing radiation losses.

Buchele, Don↗

Evacuated-tube solar collector--performance evaluation

Report gives thermal performance test procedures and results for commercially produced, water-filled, 8-tube collectors. Tests include efficiency, time constant for temperature drop after solar flux is cut, change in efficiency as function of sun angle, and test to see if tubes break when filled with hot water.

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Finned-absorber solar collector

Report presents results of performance evaluation. Tests are part of continuing study of solar-heating systems and components for NASA and Department of Energy. Test data are presented as graphs and tables. Report also summarizes test procedures and mathematical analysis of results.

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Fundamental studies of black chrome for solar collector use

The thicknesses of black chrome plated for various times have been measured from electron photomicrographs and correlated with the solar spectrum absorptance and infrared emittance as calculated from spectral reflectance measurements. The maximum absorptance is reached at an average thickness of 0.5 micrometer. The emittance increases only slightly up to 1.0 micrometer but increases rapidly at thickness above 1.0 micrometer.

Mcdonald, G.↗

Fundamental studies of black chrome for solar collector use

The thicknesses of black chrome plated for various times have been measured from electron photomicrographs and correlated with the solar spectrum absorptance and infrared emittance as calculated from spectral reflectance measurements. The maximum absorptance is reached at an average thickness of 0.5 micrometer. The emittance increases only slightly up to 1.0 micrometer but increases rapidly at thickness above 1.0 micrometer.

Mcdonald, G.↗

High performance flat plate solar collector

The potential use of porous construction is presented to achieve efficient heat removal from a power producing solid and is applied to solar air heaters. Analytical solutions are given for the temperature distribution within a gas-cooled porous flat plate having its surface exposed to the sun's energy. The extracted thermal energy is calculated for two different types of plate transparency. Results show the great improvement in performance obtained with porous flat plate collectors as compared with analogous nonporous types.

Lansing, F. L.↗

Indoor tests of the concentric-tube solar collector

Report describes performance tests on 12-tube, liquid-filled collector. Thermal efficiency, change in efficiency with sun position, and time constant for temperature drop after solar flux is cut are described.

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A low cost, durable anti-reflective film for solar collectors

The physics of reflection reduction by thin films is briefly reviewed. Current techniques for the production of anti-reflective coatings are surveyed with respect to their applicabilities to solar panel covers. Techniques for the production of suitable anti-reflection coatings based on acid-hardened sodium silicate solutions are presented along with optical data for both acid-leached and silicate coatings

Pastirik, E. M.↗