Optimization of a uniform solar concentrator with absorbers of different shapes

Solar energy has been a topic of considerable research, and the solar concentrator is a key component of solar energy utilization technology. A traditional solar concentrator usually does not generate uniform illumination on the surface of the absorber. This paper presents a general method to develop a reflector profile of a uniform solar concentrator (USC) that can uniformly concentrate the incident solar radiation onto the absorber surface. A first-order differential equation of the reflector profile is developed for USCs with absorbers of different shapes, specifically for cases with a tubular absorber and a flat absorber. A numerical program in C++ is developed to generate the reflector profile. Optimization of the reflector profile has been made to lower manufacturing costs. The results show that for a USC with an absorber of any shape, lowering the location of the initial reflector point can shorten the reflector profile. Optimal parameters are obtained for a USC with absorbers of different shapes. For a USC with a tubular absorber or a flat absorber of which the slope angle is positive, the reflector achieves its optimal profile when the reflector top point is level with the top of the absorber. For a USC with a flat absorber of which the slope angle is non-positive, the reflector achieves its optimal profile when the reflector top point is on the absorber extended line.