Title: Use of compound parabolic concentrator for solar energy collection
Abstract: The joint team of Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) and the University of Chicago is reporting their midyear results of a proof-of-concept investigation of the Compound Parabolic Concentrator (CPC) for solar-energy collection. The CPC is a non-imaging, optical-design concept for maximally concentrating radiant energy onto a receiver. This maximum concentration corresponds to a relative aperture (f/number) of 0.5, which is well beyond the limit for imaging collectors. We have constructed an X3 concentrating flat-plate collector 16 ft/sup 2/ in area. This collector has been tested in a trailer laboratory facility built at ANL. The optical and thermal performance of this collector was in good agreement with theory. We have constructed an X10 collector (8 ft/sup 2/) and started testing. A detailed theoretical study of the optical and thermal characteristics of the CPC design has been performed.