Design and Evaluation of the Fresnel-Lens Based Solar Concentrator System Through a Statistical-Algorithmic Approach

Abstract

A novel non-imaging Fresnel-lens-based solar concentrator-receiver system has been investigated to achieve high-efficiency photon and heat outputs with minimized effect of chromatic aberrations. Two types of non-imaging Fresnel lenses, a spot-flat lens and a dome-shaped lens, are designed through a statistical algorithm incorporated in MATLAB. The algorithm optimizes the lens design via a statistical ray-tracing methodology of the incident light, considering the chromatic aberration of solar spectrum, the lens-receiver spacing and aperture sizes, and the optimum number of prism grooves. An equal-groove-width of the Poly-methyl-methacrylate (PMMA) prisms is adopted in the model. The main target is to maximize ray intensity on the receiver’s aperture, and therefore, achieve the highest possible heat flux and output concentration temperature. The algorithm outputs prism and system geometries of the Fresnel-lens concentrator. The lenses coupled with solar receivers are simulated by COMSOL Multiphysics. It combines both optical and thermal analyses for the lens and receiver to study the optimum lens structure for high solar flux output. The optimized solar concentrator-receiver system can be applied to various devices which require high temperature inputs, such as concentrated photovoltaics (CPV), high-temperature stirling engine, etc.

Application-based design of the Fresnel lens solar concentrator

“…• The chromosome genes are used to find the lens' prismatic geometry and evaluate the actual focused heat Q f , then compare it to the required focal heat Q req . An earlier work of the authors is employed for this purpose (Qandil and Zhao 2018), which is briefly summarized after this terminology explanation. • If Q f ≥Q req , the algorithm converges and outputs: a.…”

“…As stated earlier in the terminology point 3, for each n th chromosome [η l , S, D l , f , g] n , an algorithm employing the statistical concept of light refraction by Qandil and Zhao (2018) evaluates the corresponding received heat at the predetermined focal spot area. It assumes a statistically in equilibrium light comprising 10 12 rays per unit area, each incident in a large number of states due to different combinations of incidence conditions.…”

“…The GTHA incorporated in MATLAB ® converged at the algorithmic chromosome genes listed in Table 2. When it was synched to the statistical algorithm of Qandil and Zhao (2018), the optimum chromosome returned the Poly-methyl-methacrylate (PMMA) Fresnel concentrator dimensions and performance parameters displayed in Table 2.…”

“…Focal Heat Flux Distribution in W/m 2 for the solar welding application. a Symmetrical real-data points and 2D third-order Gaussian regression fromQandil and Zhao (2018), b 3D third-order Gaussian plotted against receiver dimensions with COMSOL ® Prism inclination (Blue: thick curve) and prism height (Red: thin curve) of the Fresnel lens calculated at the converging chromosome byQandil and Zhao (2018) algorithm for the solar welding application Solar welding application ray tracing. a Fresnel concentrator setup in COMSOL ® , b ray trajectories at the specimens' plane from ray-tracing simulation of solar light Heat maps of the longitudinal cut-plane across the central welding point at a 30 s, b 60 s, c 90 s and d 120 s…”

“…Focal heat flux distribution in W/m 2 for the Stirling engine application. a Symmetrical real-data points and 2D second-order Gaussian regression fromQandil and Zhao (2018), b 3D second-order Gaussian plotted against receiver dimensions (mm) with COMSOL ® Prism inclination (Blue: thick curve) and prism height (Red: thin curve) of the Fresnel lens calculated at the converging chromosome byQandil and Zhao (2018) algorithm for the Stirling engine applicationFig. 11 Solar Stirling engine application ray tracing.…”