High Temperature Surface Parameters for Solar Power
Abstract
A method has been developed for measuring the solar absorptance and total hemispherical emittance of surfaces up to 800 deg C using an arc image furnace. These parameters have been measured over the temperature range of 200 deg C to 800 deg C for six polished and eight coated metals. The thermal conversion efficiency of a surface as a receiver for solar radiant energy in a power generator depends primarily on the absorptance and the ratio of the emittance and concentration ratio at a given distance from the sun. Thermal conversion efficiencies with a concentration ratio of 50 have been computed for each surface when exposed to solar radiation at the Earth's mean orbital radius. The most promising coatings of those investigated, which were applied with a plasma jet, are crystalline tungsten and granular molybdenum whose efficiencies range from approximately 95% at 200 deg C to 30% at 800 deg C.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1960
- Accession Number
- ADA451873
Entities
People
- C. F. Butler
- F. I. Laughridge
- R. J. Jenkins
- R. L. Rudkin
Organizations
- Naval Radiological Defense Laboratory