| Tweet | 
 
  
    Custom Search
   
 | 
      
         | 
 
       | 
		||
        ![]() MIL-HDBK-1003/13A 
2.1.10.2 Concentrating collectors.  Concentrating or focusing collectors 
intercept direct radiation over a large area and focus it onto a very small 
absorber area.  These collectors can provide very high temperatures more 
efficiently than flat-plate collectors, since the absorption surface area is 
much smaller.  However, diffuse sky radiation cannot be focused onto the 
absorber.  Most concentrating collectors require mechanical equipment which 
constantly orients the collectors towards the sun and keeps the absorber at 
the point of focus. 
There are many types of concentrating collectors.  The most popular types are 
the parabolic trough, the linear-trough fresnel lens, and the compound 
parabolic mirror.  Figure 2-9(a) shows a linear concentrating or parabolic 
trough collector.  It collects energy by reflecting direct solar radiation 
off a large curved mirror and onto a small absorber tube which contains a 
flowing heat transfer liquid.  The absorber tube is encased in a glass or 
metal tube which may or may not be evacuated.  This type of collector must 
track the sun and can collect only direct radiation. 
Figure 2-9(b) shows a linear-trough, fresnel lens collector.  In this design 
a curved lens is used to focus incoming rays onto a small absorber plate or 
tube through which the heat transfer liquid is circulated.  This type of 
collector also requires a tracking mechanism and can collect only direct 
radiation. 
Figure 2-9(c) shows a compound parabolic mirror collector.  The design of the 
mirrors allows the collector to collect and focus both direct and diffuse 
radiation without tracking the sun.  Periodic changes in the tilt angle are 
the only adjustments necessary. 
47 
 | 
			![]()  | 
		|
![]()  | 
		||