Solar Flux-Density Distribution due to Partially Shaded/Blocked Mirrors Using the Separation of Variables/Superposition Technique With Polynomial and Gaussian Sunshapes

Abstract

In a previous work (El Sayed et al., 1994), the separation of a variable/superposition technique was used to predict the flux density distribution on the receiver surfaces of solar central receiver plants. In this paper further developments of the technique are given. A numerical technique is derived to carry out the convolution of the sunshape and error density functions. Also, a simplified numerical procedure is presented to determine the basic flux density function on which the technique depends. The technique is used to predict the receiver solar flux distribution using two sunshapes, polynomial and Gaussian distributions. The results predicted with the technique are validated by comparison with experimental results from mirrors both with and without partial shading/blocking of their surfaces.