Pivotable Solar Contamination Measuring Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring contamination of materials transparent to solar radiation in solar power plants are labor-intensive, prone to measurement uncertainty due to artificial light sources and non-representative angles of incidence, and require manual operation, which can lead to inaccurate determination of performance losses and maintenance needs.
Innovation Solution
A measuring device with a pivotable housing and pyranometers that simulates the alignment and exposure conditions of solar power plant components, allowing for automatic measurement of solar radiation transmission through a transparent pane, while preventing dirt entry and allowing for comparative measurements of direct and transmitted radiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual measurements are performed using narrowband artificial LED light sources, then transmission can be measured in different wavelength ranges, but measurement uncertainty increases due to spectrum differences from solar radiation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the light source from narrowband LED to broadband solar radiation, and adjusts the measurement wavelength range to match the solar spectrum. This is achieved by using a spectrophotometer with adjustable wavelength range that covers the solar spectrum, ensuring measurements reflect actual solar radiation transmission through the glass casing.
2Measurement precision
If laboratory measurements are performed with spectrophotometer, then transmission can be measured, but the angles of incidence are often not representative of the actual application
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the measurement system dynamic by enabling variable angles of incidence that match the actual application conditions in solar power plants. The spectrophotometer is configured to measure transmission at different angles, allowing the measurement setup to adapt to the dynamic angular conditions experienced by glass casings in operational solar thermal power plants.
3Measurement precision
If separate technically trained persons are required for operating measuring devices manually or for taking measurements in the laboratory, then measurements can be performed, but labor intensity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables the measurement system to operate autonomously without requiring separate technically trained persons. The spectrophotometer is configured to automatically perform transmission measurements across the solar spectrum, and the system can independently adjust measurement parameters and interpret results, eliminating the need for manual operation and specialized personnel.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate, efficient, and maintenance-free monitoring of contamination levels in solar power plants, improving yield forecasting and optimizing cleaning activities by simulating real-world exposure conditions and reducing measurement errors.
Implementation Method 1
At least one pyranometer can be placed in the space at the first and second openings for measuring solar radiation penetrating through the first and second openings, respectively
Implementation Method 2
The first opening is closed with a disc transparent to solar radiation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
Measuring device (1) for measuring the contamination of material transparent to solar radiation, comprising a housing (3) with a longitudinal axis (A), wherein a support holds the housing (3) with its longitudinal axis (A) in a horizontal direction and the housing (3) is pivotably mounted on the support about the longitudinal axis (A), wherein the housing (3) has a wall (5) opaque to solar radiation which longitudinally encloses a space (7), wherein the wall (5) has at least one first opening (9) and at least one second opening (11), wherein the first opening (9) is closed with a disk (13) transparent to solar radiation and a cover device (15) for covering the second opening (11) is arranged at the second opening (11), and comprising at least one pyranometer (17) which is located in the space (7) at the first and second openings (9, 11) for measuring the contamination through the first and second openings (9, 11), respectively.the second opening (9, 11) can be positioned to allow solar radiation to penetrate, or with at least two pyranometers, wherein one of the pyranometers (17) is arranged at each of the first and second openings (9, 11) to measure solar radiation penetrating through the first and second openings (9, 11).