Science of Alternative Energy

Department of Engineering Technology

GET 285 Science of Alternative Energy

 

 

Lab #3: Parabolic Concentrating Collector

Due: Thursday, November 2, 2017

 

Equipment. This laboratory experiment requires the following hardware:

  • Parabolic collector
  • Fan
  • Thermocouples
  • PC
  • Anemometer

 

Setup. The parabolic collector is positioned such that the aperture is perpendicular to the sun’s rays.

Procedure. The fan is turned on once the collector is positioned. Thermocouples record the inlet air temperature and the outlet air temperature. An anemometer records the outlet air velocity.

Requirements. Use the air velocity measurements, anemometer aperture, and air density to estimate the mass flow of air through the collector tube.

 

𝑚̇ = ðœŒð‘‰ð´

 

Use the temperature measurements of outside air and collector outlet air temperature, mass flowrate, and specific heat of air to estimate the rate of energy collection. The equation the energy collected is:

 

𝑄̇ ð‘ð‘œð‘™ð‘™ð‘’𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑 = ð‘šÌ‡ ∙ ð‘ð‘ âˆ™ (𝑇𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑙𝑒𝑡 − ð‘‡ð‘Žð‘–𝑟)

 

Based on today’s date, time, and location, estimate the solar irradiation expected. Use the collector aperture to determine the total power available on the collector. Use the actual energy collection rate to estimate the collector efficiency.

 

 

 

 

Turn is a short report in memorandum format that presents your calculations, including the collector efficiency, and your description of the experiment.

Collector width:  17in.

Collector length: 36 in.

Anemometer diameter: 2.5in.

Air velocity reading #1:1.5m/s. (137F)

 

Air velocity reading #2: 1.4m/s ( 135F )

 

Air velocity reading #3:  1.6 m/s. ( 120F )

 

Air velocity reading #4: 1.8m/s. ( 95F )

 

 

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