Challenge
Load-bearing systems designed exclusively for tensile stress have an extremely favourable power-to-weight ratio. A conventional parabolic trough is a uniaxially curved structure that requires a separate load-bearing system for the curved mirrors. The parabolic trough itself contributes significantly to power generation costs. Could sunrays be concentrated on a focal line using a single-axis tracked concentrator with mirrored membranes?
Invention
To concentrate sunrays on a target up to 50-fold, a conventional parabolic trough can be replaced by a much more efficient, stretched, mirrored, biaxially curved membrane in a rigid frame. The RES Double-Curved Parabolic Trough relates to double-curved shell structures made of composite materials, such as fibreglass or fibre-reinforced concrete, with a mirrored surface.
Advantages
- Significant reduction in power generation costs through the use of advanced lightweight structures and materials
- Construction of large-scale parabolic troughs with an aperture of up to 30 meters
- Pneumatic stabilisation of a mirrored surface
Applications
- Solar thermal power plants
- Design of a power tower
- Architectural compatibility