Laser Profilometry on Micro-PTC

Gianluca Marotta, Daniela Fontani, Franco Francini, David Jafrancesco, Maurizio De Lucia and Paola Sansoni
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Gianluca Marotta: National Research Council—National Institute of Optics (CNR-INO), 50125 Florence, Italy
Daniela Fontani: National Research Council—National Institute of Optics (CNR-INO), 50125 Florence, Italy
Franco Francini: National Research Council—National Institute of Optics (CNR-INO), 50125 Florence, Italy
David Jafrancesco: National Research Council—National Institute of Optics (CNR-INO), 50125 Florence, Italy
Maurizio De Lucia: Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
Paola Sansoni: National Research Council—National Institute of Optics (CNR-INO), 50125 Florence, Italy

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 14, 1-18

Abstract: Profilometry is useful in detecting surface faults on solar concentrators, which can be imperfectly manufactured, thus affecting system performance. Profilometric analyses are performed on a micro-parabolic trough collector (m-PTC), with reduced sizes and greater mirror curvature than a usual PTC. The peculiar dimensions and shape of this micro-PTC request to develop a specific configuration of laser profilometry. It includes a laser diode with a converging lens placed in front of it, ensuring that the mirror curvature does not affect the beam reflection. A new method to calculate the spot position furnishes the reflected beam center even if it lies outside the target, giving it a virtual expansion. The profile is assessed with an iterative calculation, starting from a first point, physically measured. The results are the 3D profile reconstruction of the parabolic mirror and a map of the slope error for each mirror point. It also estimates the intercept factor , a parameter fundamental to optimize the m-PTC system, whose value is in agreement with a structured light measurement on the same object. This intercept factor was obtained averaging the local intercept factor calculated for each mirror point, which individuates the mirror portions not focusing the sunrays on the tube.

Keywords: parabolic trough collectors; profilometry; laser; intercept factor; optical measurement; solar energy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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