Optical Energy Characteristics of Large Solar Furnaces

The densities and fluxes of concentrated solar radiation in the focal plane of large solar furnaces (LSFs) are studied, taking into account the overall parameters, inaccuracies in the facets of the concentrator and heliostats, and shading and blocking the sun’s rays by the fields of heliostats. It was found that LSFs can work effectively for 8 h a day throughout the year. It is shown that when the irradiance in the focus of the LSF is 0.6 from the limit, the root mean square error (RMS) of angular inaccuracies σ can be about 7 ang. min, and, if they are equal, each flat component (there are eight of them) can have deviations up to ±4.2 ang. min, which if within σ, can be redistributed. The negative constant component of the inaccuracies of the curvature radius (integral inaccuracy) of the facet concentrator has a strong influence on the irradiance in the focus of the LSF, it should not be less than –0.2.