The experimental thermal analysis of aluminum metal melting with concentrated solar energy

The concentrated solar energy which is one of the renewable energy sources, is examined in metal melting which requires high temperatures. The study is carried out for the first time in an environment where total solar radiation of 1394 kWh m(-2) year and sunshine duration of 2132 h-year at the sea level in Trabzon province at 41 degrees latitudes and 39 degrees longitudes. In the present work, a single concentrator model of solar furnace system is presented. Parabolic dish with a diameter of 1.42 m was used for the first time with high reflection rate chromium nickel foil in the concentration of the solar rays. To store the concentrated solar beams, a metal melting furnace is designed, manufactured and tested. Total heat loss analysis of the furnace according to measured experimental values is performed for the designed solar furnace. The melting process of the aluminum metal was realized in the furnace. In the experiment, the efficiency of the system was calculated based on the measured temperatures and solar radiations. The system efficiency which consists of the parabolic solar concentrator and the solar furnace was found to be approximately 46% at the average focal temperature of 1023 K. In the melting process, the efficiency of the furnace is calculated as the ratio of stored energy to the absorbed solar energy on the surface. The total thermal efficiency 22% is calculated for the first time in the aluminum melting process and mass flow rate is 0,0667 g s(-1) at this time.