A novel application of a Fresnel lens for a solar stove and solar heating

This paper presents a novel design and the prototyped solar cooking stove which uses a large Fresnel lens for the concentration of sunlight. The technology demonstrates high safety and efficiency of solar cooking and heating using Fresnel lenses which are low cost and available from off-the-shelf. The stove has a fixed heat-receiving area located at the focal point of the lens. The sunlight tracking system rotates the Fresnel lens about its focal point in both zenith and azimuth angles. The tracking is accomplished through a revolving motion of two rotation arms that hold the lens and a horizontal rotation of a platform that the lens system stands on. The rotation of the arms tracks the sunlight in zenith plane, while the rotation of the platform tracks in the azimuth plane. Since the solar tracking allows the Fresnel lens to concentrate sunlight to a fixed small heat-receiving area, relatively low heat loss and high energy efficiency is made possible. The heat is used to maintain a stovetop surface at temperatures around as high as 300 °C, which is practical for cooking applications in a very safe, user-friendly, and convenient manner. The system also demonstrates the possibility of transferring heat using a working fluid for indoor heating and cooking. Wider applications using the system for solar thermal collection and utilization are also undergoing development.     

Theoretical and experimental analysis on efficiency factors and heat removal factors of Fresnel lens solar collector using different cavity receivers

The efficiency and heat removal factors are useful parameters for evaluating the thermal performance of concentrating solar collectors. In this work, the efficiency factors and heat removal factors of Fresnel lens solar collectors using different kinds of point-focus cavity receivers were obtained both theoretically and experimentally. An experimental unit was built, whereby eight kinds of cavity receivers, namely: conical, spherical, cylindrical, hemispherical, positive cone frustum, reverse cone frustum, heteroconical and domical, were tested and analyzed. It is found that the theoretical results agree well with the test results. For the point-focus Fresnel lens solar collector, the conical cavity receiver showed the best thermal performance, with a highest theoretical heat removal factor of 0.868. Effect of conical cavity parameters on the efficiency and heat removal factors were studied. Results showed that under given operation conditions, the optimum aperture diameter of the cavity, the optimum inside diameter of the receiver tube and the optimum vertex angle of the cross section through the symmetric axis of the receiver are 80 mm, 15 mm and 60°, respectively. For better thermal performance, the geometrical concentration ratio of the studied Fresnel lens solar collector should be more than 500.     

Design of Fresnel lens with spherical facets for concentrated solar power applications

In this paper, a ray-tracing model is developed using MATLAB based on mathematical formulations used in the design of Fresnel lens with spherical facets. Further, a design chart for Fresnel lens with spherical facets is developed to determine aperture radius and design angle for a given focal length and focus size. Concentration ratio and spherical aberration for Fresnel lens with spherical facets are also compared with those of plano-convex lens and conventional Fresnel lens with triangular facets. Furthermore, the present mathematical model is validated with SolTrace model and with the experimental study conducted on a prototype of Fresnel lens with spherical facets fabricated using CO₂ laser cutting machine. Focal length for the proposed Fresnel lens with spherical facets is found to be the same. However, concentration ratio computed from the present ray-tracing model is in fair agreement with SolTrace model and experimental data with percentage deviations at focal length 5.4% and 12.4%, respectively.     

太阳能等照度带聚焦菲涅耳透镜研究

为了提高聚光发电时太阳电池的光电转换效率,从提高太阳电池表面会聚光强分布的均匀性入手,对传统平板型线聚焦透镜进行改进,提出一种用于聚光光伏发电的等照度带聚焦菲涅耳透镜设计方法。带聚焦菲涅耳透镜分为奇数个单元,每个单元宽度与太阳电池宽度相等,单元内所有尖劈角φ相等并将太阳辐射等宽度折射至太阳电池表面,从而实现各单元透过的太阳能等照度叠加。最大聚光比由光伏电池宽度、透镜与太阳电池间距以及透镜材料折射率决定。对带聚焦和线聚焦两种透镜聚光条件下电池表面温度分布情况进行比较分析,验证了等照度带聚焦透镜设计的可行性。     

Investigation of solar hybrid system with concentrating Fresnel lens,photovoltaic and thermoelectric generators

An experimental model of a solar hybrid system including photovoltaic (PV) module, concentrating Fresnel lens, thermoelectric generator (TEG), and running water heat extracting unit was created and studied. The PV module used was of c‐Si and TEG of Bi₂Te₃; the Fresnel lens (solar concentrator) and TEG share an optical train, whereas PV module was illuminated separately with non‐concentrated light. Heat extracting unit operated in thermo siphon mode. In climatic conditions of Mexico (Queretaro, 20^o of North latitude, summer time), the Fresnel lens accepted 120 W of solar radiation power, and the system generated 7.0 W of electric power and 30 W of thermal one. The discussion is made of the possible characteristics of a hypothetical hybrid system where all its elements share the same optical train. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A method to calculate Fresnel lenses

In solar engineering, in contrast to image optics, Fresnel lenses are intended for securing the required concentrations of solar radiation and its distribution over a receiver’s surface. It is also important to secure a high use coefficient of the concentrated flux. In particular, this defines the features of calculation of Fresnel lenses: it is necessary to take into account inaccuracies in fabrication of Fresnel lenses and solar radiation redistribution by means of selecting the respective parameters of Fresnel lens belts. In the present work, we examine the procedure for the calculating geometrical parameters of Fresnel lenses on a flat base by considering the mentioned requirements. A corresponding software for calculating the geometrical parameters and concentrating characteristics of the Fresnel lenses is developed, and examples of calculation are given. For a constant refractive index of Fresnel lens material, it is shown that the Fresnel lens can secure a concentration of about 1000, but in this case the optical efficiency of the Fresnel lens will not be higher than 70%. The procedure that has been developed may be the basic one for determining the parameters and concentrating characteristics of Fresnel lenses by considering refractive index variance.     

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Many aspects of Fresnel lenses are probably well known, but in recent years the uses of Fresnel lenses have been widening, and we wish to discuss these widening uses from the production point of view.

Many people think of loupes when Fresnel lenses are mentiond.

The first commercial products using Fresnel lenses which we were able to lay our hands on, were the field of vision lenses of twin lens reflex cameras. The use of Fresnel lenses was an epoch making technical innovation, by which every corner of the focal screen became clear. At the same time businesses opened which offered to fit Fresnel lenses as an option in twin lens reflex cameras without Fresnel lenses.

Now they have become indispensable as focus plates for single lens reflex cameras and 4 × 5 inch large cameras.     

基于三角腔体吸收器的透射式菲涅尔定焦线系统聚光特性分析

为解决线性菲涅尔太阳能集热系统单轴跟踪过程中出现的聚光焦线偏移以及降低系统跟踪能耗等问题,提出一种透射式菲涅尔定焦线太阳能聚光器.该聚光器采用极轴跟踪方式与线性菲涅尔透镜定期滑移调节方式相结合,可实现固定焦线聚光.将该聚光器与三角腔体吸收器所组成的太阳能集热系统,利用基于蒙特卡罗光线追迹法的TracePro光学软件分析...     

Efficiency of fresnel lenses with respect to thermal losses

Experimental observations and heat loss calculations for a Fresnel lens under forced and natural convection have both been obtained. A lens with a 2·0 mm step width and 325·99 cm² area when exposed to solar radiation and kept normal to solar radiation with an intensity of 43·116 cal/cm²/h has given a steady-state temperature of 187·5°C at its focus.     

Analysis of spectrum distribution and optical losses under Fresnel lenses

During late 1970s and early 1980s, Fresnel lenses have received more attention in the field of solar energy application. This paper briefly examines the Fresnel lens development since 1970s and investigates the losses inherent in the linear Fresnel lenses. The research develops the formulation that helps to quantify the linear lens’ transmittance loss and prism-tip scattering loss and then derive a realistic model to simulate the measured data. In addition, the research has identified an elliptical-based lens that comes closest to the condition of minimum deviation. Such lens closely duplicates the curvature needed for maximum transmission. The researcher applies different design wavelengths to study the contribution of each wavelength interval on the receiving plane.     

Theoretical analysis of the Fresnel lens as a function of design parameters

The author has studied the theoretical performance of the Fresnel lens as a function of the design parameters—i.e. the radius to the centre of the steps, the focal distance from the back of the lens to the plane of the image with the object (i.e. the sun) at infinity, the thickness of the lens plate, the step width and the refractive index of the material (with respect to air)—used in its fabrication. Numerical calculations have also been carried out for a Fresnel lens of perspex sheet.     

Optical geometry approach for elliptical Fresnel lens design and chromatic aberration

This research formulates an elliptical-based Fresnel lens concentrator system using optical geometry and ray tracing technique. The author incorporates solar spectrum with the refractive indices of lens materials to form different color mixes on the target plane. The model illustrates the solar spectrum distributions under the Fresnel lens. It can be used to investigate each spectral segment's distribution patterns and helps to match the concentration patterns of different wavelengths to different solar energy applications.     

Linear Fresnel lenses, their design and use

A linear Fresnel lens (LFL) designed according to Fermat's principle is slightly modified with respect to used technology for mass production from glass. Manufactured Fresnel lenses are used in a fully tracking concentrating collector with aperture about 36 m² and in a collector with stationary concentrator and movable absorber, which may serve as solar collector with temperature and illumination control. A combination of linear Fresnel lenses with PV cells may reduce cost of autonomous solar installations.     

The Fresnel lens concept for solar control of buildings

Fresnel lenses are optical devices for solar radiation concentration and are of lower volume and weight, smaller focal length and lower cost, compared to the thick ordinary lenses. The advantage to separate the direct from the diffuse solar radiation makes Fresnel lenses suitable for illumination control of building interior space, providing light of suitable intensity level and without sharp contrasts. In this paper, the Fresnel lens concept is suggested for solar control of the buildings to keep the illumination and the interior temperature at the comfort level. Laboratory scale experimental results are presented, giving an idea about the application of this new optical system. The collection of 60–80% of the transmitted solar radiation through the Fresnel lenses on linear absorbers leaves the rest amount to be distributed in the interior space for the illumination and thermal building needs. In low intensity solar radiation, the absorber can be out of focus, leaving all light to come in the interior space and to keep the illumination at an acceptable level. The Fresnel lenses can be combined with thermal, photovoltaic, or hybrid type photovoltaic/thermal absorbers to collect and extract the concentrated solar radiation in the form of heat, electricity or both. By using thermal absorbers and for low operating temperature, efficiency of about 50% can be achieved, while considering photovoltaics, satisfactory electrical output can be obtained. Regarding the effect of the suggested system to building space cooling, the results showed a satisfactory temperature reduction, exceeding 10 °C for cold water circulation through the absorber.     

Design of one-axis tracked linear Fresnel lenses

The most frequently used criterion in the design of linear Fresnel lenses consists of minimizing the radiation spread at the collector when the lens is illuminated by rays that are contained in the full lens acceptance angle and are incident on the lens in the plane perpendicular to the lens axis. This paper analyzes this topic and concludes that when the lenses are one-axis-tracked this criterion can be improved by replacing the perpendicular plane with another forming a certain angle to it. When calculated for a specific lens, at the location of Madrid, the new criterion was found to yield an increase of more than 7% in the total annual energy collected.     

The study of the performance and efficiency of flat linear Fresnel lens collector with sun tracking system in Iraq

Two flat linear Fresnel lenses and two absorbers connected in series. Tracking system is constructed so that it tracks the sun in two directions. Thermal and optical losses are introduced. The thermal efficiency of the first lens is higher than the second lens and reaches 0.65. The FLFL all-day collector efficiency reaches 0.58 and it varies depending on weather condition.     

An experimental study on thermal management of concentrated photovoltaic cell using loop heat pipe and heat sink

One of the most critical innovations in the solar energy conversion is the use of concentrators for generating power from a smaller area of the cell. The thermal management has an exceptional role in the concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) cell, without which the operating temperature will increase owing to the thermal degradation. In the present study, a prototype of low CPV with single‐cell configuration using a Fresnel lens and a manual tracker with geometrical concentration ratio of up to 25 Suns is made. The performance of the CPV with passive cooling arrangements, such as heat sink and loop heat pipes (LHPs), is analyzed under real‐time outdoor conditions. The results obtained infer that the LHP‐based cooling system has brought down the average temperature rise above ambient to 37.8°C from 54.16°C and 72.6°C in the heat sink and bare CPV systems, respectively. Also, the LHP managed to reject the heat to the surrounding with an average thermal resistance of 1.005°C/W, which is the least when compared with the heat sink. Apart from the instabilities caused by the interference of clouds, the CPV with the LHP cooling system could generate 10% more power output than the one with a heat sink.     

Hybrid power generation system of solar energy and fuel cells

This paper introduces the methods of integration of solar energy and low‐temperature solid oxide fuel cells. On the one hand, we design the system that integrates the solar photovoltaic cells and fuel cells. On the other hand, solar energy is concentrated to heat up the fuel cell and supply the working temperature at hundreds Celsius degrees by Fresnel lens. Then the fuel conversion efficiency is increased because of gain from the solar energy. Moreover, integration of solar thermal energy power system with the fuel is a good method for resolving the instability of solar energy. CHP (combined heat and power) is another aspect to enhance the design hybrid system overall efficiency. Finally, we present a novel device but built on different scientific principle. It can convert solar energy and chemical energy of fuel to electric energy simultaneously within the same device to integrated solar cell and fuel cell from the device level. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Review on Development of Small Point-Focusing Solar Concentrators

The technology of small point-focusing concentrator of solar energy has been developing rapidly in recent years owing to its compact structure and high collecting efficiency. This report presents important developments of small point-focusing concentrator in the past decade. This kind of solar concentrator refers to the parabolic dish concentrator, the point-focusing Fresnel lens, and the Scheffler reflector. Technological advances of these concentrators and the related performances have been presented. There are three main mirror fabrication technologies for dish concentrator, which are high polishing metal, silver-glass mirror and vacuum-membrane. Polymethyl methacrylate is widely used as material in Fresnel lens. Many scholars have proposed new lens shape to improve the uniformity of focusing. The Scheffler reflector has a characteristic of fixed focus, but its design parameters are not perfect so current research focuses on the theoretical calculation of the mirror. In addition, typical applications of the small point-focusing concentrator in photovoltaic system, solar thermal system, solar chemical system, and day-lighting system are summarized. Upon listing the important publications in open literature, a category of main applications of such kind of solar collector is provided based on the working characteristics of the system.     

Sandblasting durability of acrylic and glass Fresnel lenses for concentrator photovoltaic modules

The impact of sandblasting on Fresnel lenses for concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) modules must be carefully considered when CPV systems are installed in desert areas. In this study, the transmittance after sandblasting of acrylic polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and glass substrates was evaluated, and their durability was assessed. The transmittance decreased as the momentum of the blown sand increased. The conversion efficiency of the CPV modules was estimated using equivalent circuit calculations, and the influence of sandblasting on the output of the CPV modules was quantitatively predicted. The coefficients of degradation for the PMMA and glass CPV modules were 0.17 and 0.08 points per unit of momentum, respectively. The durability of the CPV module with the glass Fresnel lens is approximately twice that with the PMMA lens.