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Full-Text Articles in Engineering
A Calorimeter For Solar Collector Testing Facilities, James C. Huggins
A Calorimeter For Solar Collector Testing Facilities, James C. Huggins
Retrospective Theses and Dissertations
The reference heat source (RHS) is an electrical calorimeter used with solar collector test facilities. It can be used to calibrate the test facility or to measure the thermal performance of a collector. The RHS described here was designed to be accurate enough to be used as a standard for verification of test facility calibrations. The core of the unit consists of resistance heaters, platinum resistance thermometers, a thermopile, and flow mixers. This core is surrounded by a thermally driven copper shield to control heat loss. The electrical power input to the core is measured with an electronic power transducer. …
Analysis Of A Solar Collector In An Absorption Cycle Including A Pump Operated By Thermoelectric Cells, Stuart Jee-Fong Chen
Analysis Of A Solar Collector In An Absorption Cycle Including A Pump Operated By Thermoelectric Cells, Stuart Jee-Fong Chen
Retrospective Theses and Dissertations
A mathematical computer model has been developed for the prediction of the thermal performance of a flat-plate solar collector used as the generator for an absorption cycle cooling system. The system employs thermoelectric cells to power its pump. The exponential relationship between the auxiliary energy and the collector area is used to optimize the system. It is predicted that the system will become feasible when the fuel price is raised to four times the current value.
A Cavity Absorber For A Focusing Solar Collector, Andrew W. Crapo
A Cavity Absorber For A Focusing Solar Collector, Andrew W. Crapo
Retrospective Theses and Dissertations
The concept of a cavity absorber for use with a focusing parabolic trough is developed in this paper. A mathematical model is formulated and used to compare different absorber geometries. Limitations of the model are discussed and within the range of materials and fabrication methods available, the choice of a cylindrical cavity is substantiated. Relative sizes of the gap and cylinder are chosen for a given mirror arc length, focal length, and alignment error. The model is used to optimize these parameters and predict absorber and collector efficiency. The processes of building and testing the absorber are detailed, and test …
A Computer Model For Comparison Of Flat Plate And Focusing Collectors For Solar Air Conditioning, H. B. Bucher
A Computer Model For Comparison Of Flat Plate And Focusing Collectors For Solar Air Conditioning, H. B. Bucher
Retrospective Theses and Dissertations
Two types of solar collecting systems are frequently employed--flat plate collectors with spectrally selective windows which trap sunlight with the "greenhouse effect" and focusing systems with curved mirrors which concentrate the sun's rays on an absorbing surface. The flat plate collector is the simpler of the two designs, but cannot readily provide temperatures as high as the focusing collector. Both of the collectors are candidates for absorption cycle solar air conditioning systems. This role dictates higher temperature than are normally required of solar collectors, particularly the flat plate design. Focusing systems of interest here are those which are fixed in …
Design And Thermal Performance Testing Of A Heat Pipe Flat Plate Solar Collector, Dennis N. Greeley
Design And Thermal Performance Testing Of A Heat Pipe Flat Plate Solar Collector, Dennis N. Greeley
Retrospective Theses and Dissertations
This thesis investigates the use of heat pipes for removing heat from flat plate solar collectors and transferring the energy to air in a space heating system. Heat pipes are passive devices which are very efficient at transporting heat energy. They operate using a closed evaporation-condensation cycle. This thesis presents the fundamentals of flat plate collectors, heat pipes, and a set of parameters for evaluating a heat pipe flat collector. Also included are the results of this project and the recommendations for improvements.