Design of a Solar Collector For a Trochoidal Gear Engine Fall Progress Report Amy Manganello Advisor: Prof. Richard Wilk

Accomplishments Problem definition (spring ’05) Problem definition (spring ’05) Familiarize myself with principles of solar energy and collector design (weeks 1-5, ongoing) Familiarize myself with principles of solar energy and collector design (weeks 1-5, ongoing) Produce design options (weeks 7/8) Produce design options (weeks 7/8) Choose design/Make SolidWorks model (week 9) Choose design/Make SolidWorks model (week 9) Proposal, IEF, presentation, report (ongoing) Proposal, IEF, presentation, report (ongoing)

A Trochoidal What??? Ener-G-Rotors designed a TGE Ener-G-Rotors designed a TGE –Rankine Cycle –Reduced contact friction –Lowers input temperature –Solar thermal power a possibility Design Specifications Design Specifications –Temperature input, T = 170°F –Power input, P = 35.2 kW –Manufacturability, Cost, Size

Collector Design A Basic Flat-Plate Collector

Collector Optimization Concentrating Collectors Concentrating Collectors –Focus sunlight = high temperatures –Shape, reflection, lenses, and tracking systems Insulation Insulation –Transparent: prevents losses from the absorber –Opaque: prevents losses from the back and sides of the collector body

Design Options: Advantages: –Shape focuses light onto absorber Parabolic Trough Collector Disadvantages: –If Fresnel lenses are used, shape is unnecessarily complex

Design Options: Advantages: –Focuses light to a pointDisadvantages: –Difficult to make –Costly Dish Collector

Design Options: Enclosed Flat Plate Collector w/ Fresnel Lenses Advantages: –Simple/Easy to manufacture –Focuses light using Fresnel lens – Double cover insulatesDisadvantages: –Will the temperature equalize across the area of the plate? *** Design Chosen to Test

Prototype Design Two lenses deep, one wide Two lenses deep, one wide Two covers for insulation Two covers for insulation Ten copper pipes (3/4’’ diameter) Ten copper pipes (3/4’’ diameter) Aluminum body surrounded with insulation Aluminum body surrounded with insulation

Prototype Design

Future Goals Build and test prototype Build and test prototype Thermal analysis in SolidWorks Thermal analysis in SolidWorks Finalize design/build SolidWorks model Finalize design/build SolidWorks model Order parts Order parts Build full scale model Build full scale model Modify and optimize Modify and optimize

Acknowledgements/ References Prof. Wilk Prof. Wilk Ener-G-Rotors Ener-G-Rotors Chapter1.htm Chapter1.htm Kreider and Kreith The Solar Energy Handbook McGraw Hill New York: 1981 Kreider and Kreith The Solar Energy Handbook McGraw Hill New York: 1981

Questions???? “Life Can Be So Sweet On The Sunny Side Of The Street” ~D. Fields ?