Parabolic Heat Reflectors

Seems like you have plenty to start with...

Modelling what exactly...? All types of reflector? Specific reflectors? Large scale/small scale reflectors? Materials for reflectors?

Best design for max' efficiency of fixed reflector? algorthms/mechanisms for tracking?

Seems to me you need guidance in narrowing down the topic rather than talking it up...

Still it's a nice topic...I personally favour..small scale cheap easy diy type reflector solutions...for obvious reasons (ease of 'playing with') 'cos I'd rather see something built at the end to prove the modelling is actually sensible!

Enough waffling from me...

If you keep us updated, it is the sort of thread that could run and run...

Good luck

Del

Hello Del,

Thanks for replying so quickly, I have absolutely nothing to do @ where im working atm for my internship..

This is still a very early stage... I am not really sure on what to exactly do yet.. and I cant't find much information on this on the net (nor the library)..

From what you said... i am quite interested in finding the max efficiency for a type of reflector (probably can be pack away quite easily and towed behind a truck for remote power generation)..

algorithms and mech for tracking? a simple feedback control system would do maybe?

Hi again,

The 'clever' way to design any project/thesis etc. Is to make it in chunks (or modular/expandable or whatever the current trendy expression happens to be).

This way you can profess to 'finish' as and when you want. A 'closed' project which is 'too simple' ends up as a heavilly padded embarasment, one which is 'too hard' doesn't get finished...oh dear I'm in Goldilocks mode.

So make the whole think as a series of expandable projects....

... i am quite interested in finding the max efficiency for a type of reflector (probably can be pack away quite easily and towed behind a truck for remote power generation)..

This sounds ideal... as you have the theoretical modelling...the 'pack away' aspect....the whole power generation side of things....and if you still have spare time you can add on advanced materials/coatings etc.

Sign up to CR4... it's fun (but can be addictive)... We are pretty free with our advice as long as it's a two way street .

Del

"I personally favour..small scale cheap easy diy type reflector solutions...for obvious reasons (ease of 'playing with') 'cos I'd rather see something built at the end to prove the modelling is actually sensible!"

An excellent idea, especially since a "practical" model will not only provide a verification of the model, it will also help bridge the gap between knowledge, and how to apply that knowledge to the real world.

Hi All,

Guest was me, I just didn't sign in because I forgot my password!

""I personally favour..small scale cheap easy diy type reflector solutions...for obvious reasons (ease of 'playing with') 'cos I'd rather see something built at the end to prove the modelling is actually sensible!"

I agree, that would be very cool, but building one of these machines (or even buying one) would cost me thousands of dollars, for an undergraduate thesis I think thats going a bit too far.

I think I should just get a quote from a company who develop these (including all the dimension and size) and try and work out the max. efficiency etc theoritically...

Would that be the way to go? By the way, I am electrical major, so I would really want to focus more on the power generation side of things.. The packing away thing is just an path i could look into.

Again, thank you for your answers, I really appreciate it!

Hallo.

I have on paper a Stirling pump using a parabolic reflector . All I need 18 or 24 in dia. reflector and somebody to tell me what liquid or gas is best for heat expansion and cooling. It'll work like a shock absorber .

Hydrogen or helium...

use helium... much safer...

dunno why though... probably have to do a bit more research myself..

"what liquid or gas is best for heat expansion and cooling"

All Phase change materials have limitations, even water.

I like R-717 NH₃ But Ammonia as a refrigerant has killed many people. In a small system well designed you would have a hard time finding better, But it is known to burn under the right conditions, poison, and displace O₂. Freon is no better and less efficient.

The real question is how much effort for "best for heat expansion" Water can work well. Air is commonly used in a Stirling pump. It really depends on the design and the application.

Go to the library and get a big book on refrigeration ( they are about 3" thick) It will have loads of tables on refrigerants even air.

Now you can design the pump to the refrigerant or pick the best for the pump and for your needs.

Just remember there is NO cold only heat or lack of heat.

Brad

The design is simple. Imagine 2 empty beer cans sliding into each other with some liquid in it. Set up vertical with some heat source at the bottom. The cans would slide apart and move away from the heat source. Cooling moves the cans together again and move to the top of the heat source. And the cycle starts over again. This movement of the cans ( expansion and contraction ) is connect to a pump. Ideal for equatorial countries. What do you think.

I think air, cheep and hard to tax.

Design around it to be efficient.

alternator output, found in junkyards around the world.

So closed or open system?

Manual or automatic tracking of the sun?

Reflector material e.g. mylar cheep, aluminum( steal-able), Foil on wood?

Bed time till tomorrow

Brad

Maybe you should have a look at somthing called Winston cone

all energy coming in the big end coming out evenly distributed in the other end ...There is a book in designing Winston cones ... some new thinking

if you place the collecting device in front .....