Low-Cost Concentrating Solar Collector for Steam Generation

Author(s):

Bibin Alex , Saintgits College of Engineering,Kottayam; Arun Sunny, Saintgits College of Engineering,Kottayam; Jeffin T Issac, Saintgits College of Engineering,Kottayam; Joseph Philip, Saintgits College of Engineering,Kottayam

Keywords:

Boiler, COP, Energy saving, Convex Lens, Solar collector

Abstract:

Due to ever increasing need of energy and dependence on fossil fuels to meet energy requirements, a lot of efforts are being put on developing new renewable, environment friendly and clean energy resources as an alternative. Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) is one such unique renewable energy technology. CSP systems have the ability to provide electricity, refrigeration, and water purification in one unit. Concentrating Solar Collectors are widely used for harnessing the Sun’s energy to create Solar Power. A step in this process is the generation of steam that can be used for sterilization of medical equipment. However, for personal use and small-scale utilization, the cost of such collectors is much beyond the scope of the common man. This is typically due to high costs of currently available solar collectors. In this project, the scope of building an economic solar collector for small-scale application using convex lens as the concentrator is explored. A prototype of the solar collector is fabricated. Steam is generated by focusing sun rays using four convex lens `onto a boiler, which has excellent heat conductivity properties. The water in the boiler get heated by solar energy and gets converted in to steam. This steam was passed into a medical sterilizing box and used to heat medical apparatus. The testing of prototype was done for consecutive days and temperature of 1320C obtained was satisfactory for generation of steam.

Other Details:

Manuscript Id	:	IJSTEV3I10136
Published in	:	Volume : 3, Issue : 10
Publication Date	:	01/05/2017
Page(s)	:	265-268

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