HIGH TEMPERATURE SOLAR COLLECTOR WITH AN ARCHIMEDES CONCENTRATOR.

A study is presented of a 1. 5 m long experimental model of a previously proposed high-temperature solar concentrator-collector in which argon is employed as a working fluid. Experiments have been performed with fluid flow rates covering the range 200 less than equivalent to Re less than equivalent to 2000, resulting in a fluid temperature rise of up to 285 degree C in the (axial) flow direction. Maximum temperatures attained by the fluid under no-flow conditions are in the 350-390 degree C range. A computer model of this system which takes into account most of the influential variables has been formulated. It yields temperature profiles that normally agree with the experimental data at all axial positions within ca. 10 degree C.