Florian Sutter

Near specular scatter analysis method with a new goniophotometer

The challenge of improving component quality and reducing cost has focused the attention of the solar thermal power industry on reliable component characterization methods. Since the reflector plays a key role in the energy conversion chain, the analysis of its reflectance properties has become a lively discussed issue in recent years. State of the art measurement instruments for specular reflectance do not give satisfying results, because they do not resolve sufficiently the near specular scatter of possible low cost mirror material candidates. The measurement of the BRDF offers a better solution than the traditional approach of placing a detector in the specular reflected beam path. However, due to the requirement of high angular resolution in the range of 1 mrad (0.057°) or better and the challenge of measuring high dynamic differences between the specular peak and the scatter signal, typical commercial scanning goniophotometers capable of this are rare. These instruments also face the disadvantages of impractically long acquisition times and, to reach the high angular resolution, occupy a large space (several meters side length). We have taken on the appealing idea of a parallel imaging goniophotometer and designed a prototype based on this principle. A mirrored ellipsoid is used to redirect the reflected light coming from a sample towards a camera with a fisheye lens. This way the complete light distribution is captured simultaneously. A key feature allows the distinction of the high intensity specular peak and the low intensity scatter. In this article we explain the prototype design and demonstrate its functionality based on comparison measurements done with a commercial scanning goniophotometer. We identify limitations related in part to the concept and in part to the specific prototype and suggest improvements. Finally we conclude that the concept is well suitable for the analysis of near specular scatter of mirror materials, although less adequate for the analysis of rough surfaces that require a full 180° view angle. Results obtained with this instrument are useful to evaluate the performance of a reflector material for a specific concentrating solar collector design and also serve in other applications that require near specular scatter analysis like degradation and soiling research.

New methods and instruments for performance and durability assessment

This chapter describes new methods and instruments for performance and durability assessment of concentrating solar power (CSP) systems. It comprises point and line focusing systems, and presents new methods on both the component level (heliostats, thermal receivers, and rotation and expansion performing assemblies) and the system level.

Correlating outdoor exposure with accelerated aging tests for aluminum solar reflectors

Guaranteeing the durability of concentrated solar power (CSP) components is crucial for the success of the technology. The reflectors of the solar field are a key component of CSP plants, requiring reliable methods for service lifetime prediction. So far, no proven correlations exist to relate accelerated aging test results in climate chambers with relevant CSP exposure sites. In this work, correlations have been derived for selected testing conditions that excite the same degradation mechanisms as for outdoor exposure. Those testing conditions have been identified by performing an extensive microscopic comparison of the appearing degradation mechanisms on reference samples that have been weathered outdoors with samples that underwent a high variety of accelerated aging experiments. The herein developed methodology is derived for aluminum reflectors and future work will study its applicability to silvered-glass mirrors.

Towards standardized testing methodologies for optical properties of components in concentrating solar thermal power plants

Precise knowledge of the optical properties of the components used in the solar field of concentrating solar thermal power plants is primordial to ensure their optimum power production. Those properties are measured and evaluated by different techniques and equipment, in laboratory conditions and/or in the field. Standards for such measurements and international consensus for the appropriate techniques are in preparation. The reference materials used as a standard for the calibration of the equipment are under discussion. This paper summarizes current testing methodologies and guidelines for the characterization of optical properties of solar mirrors and absorbers.

Contact Cleaning of Polymer Film Solar Reflectors

This paper describes the accelerated ageing of polymer film reflecting surfaces under the conditions to be found during contact cleaning of Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) collectors in the presence of dust and sand particles. In these situations, contact cleaning using brushes and water is required to clean the reflecting surfaces. Whilst suitable for glass reflectors, this paper discusses the effects of existing cleaning processes on the optical and visual properties of polymer film surfaces, and then describes the development of a more benign but effective contact cleaning process for cleaning polymer reflectors. The effects of a range of cleaning brushes are discussed, with and without the presence of water, in the presence of sand and dust particles from selected representative locations. Reflectance measurements and visual inspection shows that a soft cleaning brush with a small amount of water can clean polymer film reflecting surfaces without inflicting surface damage or reducing specular reflectance.

Simplified analysis of solar-weighted specular reflectance for mirrors with high specularity

The most relevant parameter to properly characterize solar mirrors is the solar-weighted near-specular reflectance. As this parameter cannot be directly measured with off-the-shelf instruments, a simplified procedure to be applied for highly specular solar mirrors is proposed in this paper. The approach, based on two criteria, was experimentally employed to check a wide variety of solar reflector materials. Only those mirrors with known high specularity passed the criteria, indicating that the proposed method is suitable.

Sandstorm Erosion Simulation on Solar Mirrors and Comparison with Field Data

Solar reflectors for concentrating solar power applications can be subject to performance losses due to their permanent exposure to the environment. In this work the risk of erosion due to sandstorms is evaluated. Aluminum and glass reflector samples were exposed in Missour and Zagora (Morocco) and measurements of the wind velocity and the particle concentration were carried out. Both measured quantities were connected to the single particle momentum distribution SPMD. This novel parameter is shown to be adequate to describe the erosion characteristics of outdoor sites and laboratory setups. Its deduction will be explained and it will be applied to both outdoor sites and two accelerated erosion simulation setups, a sand trickling device -named soil pipe- and a closed loop wind channel with particle injection. Furthermore different erosion failure modes are described and explained by the use of the SPMD.

Soiling and Degradation Analysis of Solar Mirrors

The degradation and the soiling of the mirrors are dependent of the solar field and the mirrors technologies, the local climate, the meteorological events, the O&M tasks and the human activities around the site. In the frame of the European project SFERA II, the SODAM project has been the opportunity to compare the soiling and the degradation mechanisms on a Fresnel solar field installed in the South of France and on a parabolic-through solar field installed in the South of Spain. The analysis of the soiling has shown equivalent maximum weekly reflectance loss due to soiling in both sites but a double mean weekly reflectance loss in Spain respect to France, as well as typical meteorological events to be taken into account to adapt the cleaning strategies. Among the meteorological parameters mainly influencing the soiling, the study has revealed the effect of the rain and of the DNI. In parallel, the analysis of the degradation mechanisms has highlighted a common chalking of the protective back paint layers due to the irradiation. This chalking being associated to a leaching of the paint layers in the site of Cadarache due to the high presence of liquid water. A difference in the speed of corrosion of the silver layer has been also noticed, leading to a difference in the mechanisms of delamination of the paints layers.