An efficient method for aiming heliostats using ray-tracing

Shuang Wang, Charles Alexis Asselineau, John Pye, Joe Coventry*

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

    1 Citation (Scopus)

    Abstract

    In a solar power tower plant, the role of the heliostat aiming strategy is to control the radiative flux distribution at the receiver surface to avoid thermally induced damage, while minimising spillage losses. Flux limitations arise from factors including the heat transfer fluid stability limits, and thermo-mechanical stress limits in receiver pipes. To accurately determine receiver flux distributions, ray-tracing is preferred, although it is more computationally expensive than convolution-based methods. In this study, we introduce a new parameterisation of heliostat aim-point locations that significantly reduces the number of parameters to determine. The new aiming model enables efficient use of ray-tracing to optimise the aiming strategy and, together with receiver thermal and mechanical models, is able to closely match the flux distribution to local values of allowable flux on the receiver. A reference case with a surround field and a cylindrical external receiver compatible with the Gen3 Liquid Pathway project is presented to test the capability of the method developed in this study.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationSolarPACES 2020 - 26th International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems
    EditorsChristoph Richter, Avi Shultz
    PublisherAmerican Institute of Physics Inc.
    ISBN (Electronic)9780735441958
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 12 May 2022
    Event26th International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems, SolarPACES 2020 - Freiburg, Virtual, Germany
    Duration: 28 Sept 20202 Oct 2020

    Publication series

    NameAIP Conference Proceedings
    Volume2445
    ISSN (Print)0094-243X
    ISSN (Electronic)1551-7616

    Conference

    Conference26th International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems, SolarPACES 2020
    Country/TerritoryGermany
    CityFreiburg, Virtual
    Period28/09/202/10/20

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