Tuning the extinction coefficient for direct absorption solar thermal collector optimization

Todd P. Otanicar, Patrick E. Phelan, Robert A. Taylor, Himanshu Tyagi

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Direct-absorption solar thermal collectors have recently been shown to be a promising technology for photothermal energy conversion but many parameters affecting the overall performance of such systems haven't been studied in depth, yet alone optimized. Earlier work has shown that the overall magnitude of the extinction coefficient can play a drastic role, with too high of an extinction coefficient actually reducing the efficiency. This study investigates how the extinction coefficient impacts the collector efficiency and how it can be tuned as a function of depth to optimize the efficiency, and why this presents a unique design over conventional solar thermal collection systems. Three extinction profiles are investigated: uniform, linearly increasing, and exponentially increasing.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationASME 2010 4th International Conference on Energy Sustainability, ES 2010
Pages819-824
Number of pages6
DOIs
StatePublished - 2010
EventASME 2010 4th International Conference on Energy Sustainability, ES 2010 - Phoenix, AZ, United States
Duration: 17 May 201022 May 2010

Publication series

NameASME 2010 4th International Conference on Energy Sustainability, ES 2010
Volume1

Conference

ConferenceASME 2010 4th International Conference on Energy Sustainability, ES 2010
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityPhoenix, AZ
Period17/05/1022/05/10

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