Experimental investigations of using silica aerogel to harvest unconcetrated sunlight in a solar thermal receiver

Significant demand exists for solar thermal heat in the mid-temperature ranges (120 oC – 220 oC). Generating heat in this range requires expensive optics or vacuum systems in order to utilize the diluted solar energy flux reaching the earth’s surface. Current flat plate solar collectors have significant heat losses and achieving higher temperatures without using concentrating optics remains a challenge. In this work, we designed a prototype flat plate collector using silica- aerogel. Optically Transparent Thermally Insulating silica aerogel with its high transmittance and low thermal conductivity is used as a volumetric shield. The prototype collector was subjected to ambient testing conditions during the months of winter. The collector reached the temperatures of 220 oC and a future prototype design is proposed to incorporate large aerogel monoliths for scaled up applications. This work opens up possibilities solar energy being harnessed in intermediate temperature range using a non-concentrated flat plate collector.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Year dc:date.available

2021

Author dc:creator

• Hansaliya, Nisarg

Contributors dc:contributor

• Yang, Sungwoo
• Elliott, Louie; Damshala, Prakash
• College of Engineering and Computer Science

• Solar energy
• Energy development
• Electric power production

Licence

• https://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en

Language dc:language

English, eng

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholar.utc.edu/theses/629

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholar.utc.edu:theses-1789