solar catenary reflector vid 1: introduction

Be sure to visit my website for details of the concept:
http://thoxbui.com/catenaryreflector/

This is part 1 of ? , detailing the basics of the catenary solar reflector concept. It's a self forming solar concentrator system. The model is built with lego and aluminized mylar. Imagine it a hundred times bigger. Sorry for the low (no) budget production, but I hope you can see the value in the idea. Drop me an email if you want more details or the mathematical model--it's an Excel based calculator.

I intend this idea to be open-sourced, so do something good for mankind with it. If you're a nice person, please credit me when/where it's appropriate.

Thanks.
Tho X.Bui
Phoenix, AZ 2008

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• solar
• renewable
• energy
• catenary
• parabolic
• reflector
• concentrator
• trough
• photovoltaic
• thoxbui

[westkan]

My understanding heat is an enemy of photovoltaics. The hotter they get the less electrical output they will have. Does your data suggest otherwise?

[thoxbui]

You are correct. Efficiency drops with increased temperature for all solar cells. Also, the thin film/amorphous material can be damaged easily by heat, so it is best to use cooling and/or the crystalline PV cells. There are specialized cells designed for higher temperature, but they are expensive.

[sckr4unalatina]

The only problem i see is that if it is allowed to move freely in the wind, then it will not allow for the sufficient sunlight to hit the pipe filled with etholyne glycol or whatever substance is being heated. In order for those pipes to be heated to the boiling point it needs a constant concentration of sunlight. This will not be practical in windy places, or really any place that even gets a slight breeze, let me know what u think...

[thoxbui]

That's a good question, and I think I can probably answer that question. But in the spirit of the video, which is meant to introduce the concept and not to provide a specific engineered solution, I'd like to bounce that question back to you: how would YOU build such a reflector in a windy area? Would you make it light/heavy? use solar-thermal or photovoltaic? few-large or many-small? Thanks for checking out the video with good thoughts! Tho

[PQRLOVE]

So how do I use this to build an aluminum can solar melter that doesn't burn the cans because of excess heat. I need 800 to 900 F not in the thousands. Course I'd like to have a second melter for copper just a few hundred degrees more.

I'd bet you'd get several thousand degrees with what you are showing.

IOW how can i calibrate or control the temp so i melt rather tnan burn AL, etc.

I just subbed.

[zebraone100]

You created more problems than you solved. Stick with the parabola. Its cost is not significantly more expensive to produce, and when compared to the cost of photovoltaics becomes insignificant.

You are on the right track in using inexpensive mirrors to increase the cost effectiveness of the most expensive component, the PV cell. However, don't miss the forest for the trees. The cost of the parabola is a false dilemma.

[seancap08]

Thank you for a great lecture. It seems you are working to augment man kind's endurance in this generation. energy has a dark side-choose the light!

[Cyberdactyl]

I agree with most of the posts.

Your insight of utilizing a catenary curve vs a structurally supported parabolic is intriguing, but your presentation skills need a lot of work.

[EnergyFan]

Very fine video showing a very intelligent approach.

I had some similar ideas with parabolas but this is better: it is simple, elegant, imaginative and clever.

[WellSpamSucks]

"eBay Shipping"... LMAO!

[thoxbui]

Thank you. the URL is shown on the information block on the upper right hand of the screen (click 'more info'). I can't type it here, youtube doesn't allow URL in the comment section.

[DEZZIELIGHTBULB007]

By the way, what is your website address?

[DEZZIELIGHTBULB007]

Great video, congratulations!

Looking forward to more videos.

Thanks!

[SeattleCoorain]

Your work is very promising. Years ago my father's metal forming company produced reflector panels for Boeing Solar Research. We also built hundreds of 4m diameter segmented parabolic dishes. Since then I too have been intrigued by solar thermal projects. I explored asymmetrical parabolic troughs because the back structure design issues were significantly more advantageous. Your asymmetric catenary has similar design strengths. Greater reflector area at low cost is a very good approach.