A novel high-flux solar simulator, capable of delivering over of radiative power at peak radiative fluxes exceeding 11,000 suns, is operational at the Paul Scherner Institute. It comprises an array of ten Xe arcs, each close-coupled with ellipsoidal specular reflectors of common focus. Its optical design, main engineering features, and operating performance are described. The Monte Carlo ray-tracing technique is applied to optimize the geometrical configuration for maximum source-to-target transfer efficiency of radiative power. Calorimeter measurements indicated an average flux of over a -diameter circular target, which corresponds to stagnation temperatures above . This research facility simulates the radiation characteristics of highly concentrating solar systems and serves as an experimental platform for investigating the thermochemical processing of solar fuels and for testing advanced high-temperature materials.
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November 2007
Research Papers
A Novel 50kW 11,000 suns High-Flux Solar Simulator Based on an Array of Xenon Arc Lamps
Jörg Petrasch,
Jörg Petrasch
Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering,
ETH Zurich
, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
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Patrick Coray,
Patrick Coray
Solar Technology Laboratory,
Paul Scherrer Institute
, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland
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Anton Meier,
Anton Meier
Solar Technology Laboratory,
Paul Scherrer Institute
, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland
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Max Brack,
Max Brack
Solar Technology Laboratory,
Paul Scherrer Institute
, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland
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Peter Häberling,
Peter Häberling
Solar Technology Laboratory,
Paul Scherrer Institute
, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland
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Daniel Wuillemin,
Daniel Wuillemin
Solar Technology Laboratory,
Paul Scherrer Institute
, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland
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Aldo Steinfeld
Aldo Steinfeld
Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering,
ETH Zurich
, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland; Solar Technology Laboratory, Paul Scherrer Institute
, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland
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Jörg Petrasch
Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering,
ETH Zurich
, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
Patrick Coray
Solar Technology Laboratory,
Paul Scherrer Institute
, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland
Anton Meier
Solar Technology Laboratory,
Paul Scherrer Institute
, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland
Max Brack
Solar Technology Laboratory,
Paul Scherrer Institute
, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland
Peter Häberling
Solar Technology Laboratory,
Paul Scherrer Institute
, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland
Daniel Wuillemin
Solar Technology Laboratory,
Paul Scherrer Institute
, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland
Aldo Steinfeld
Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering,
ETH Zurich
, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland; Solar Technology Laboratory, Paul Scherrer Institute
, 5232 Villigen, SwitzerlandJ. Sol. Energy Eng. Nov 2007, 129(4): 405-411 (7 pages)
Published Online: August 25, 2006
Article history
Received:
May 4, 2006
Revised:
August 25, 2006
Citation
Petrasch, J., Coray, P., Meier, A., Brack, M., Häberling, P., Wuillemin, D., and Steinfeld, A. (August 25, 2006). "A Novel 50kW 11,000 suns High-Flux Solar Simulator Based on an Array of Xenon Arc Lamps." ASME. J. Sol. Energy Eng. November 2007; 129(4): 405–411. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2769701
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