1. Heat Dissipation Analysis on Sunlight Concentrator
Presented by
Kyle Stephens
Project Mentor: Dr. Roger Angel
of Steward Observatory
With special thanks to:
Matt Rademacher, Staff Engineer Bruce Phillips, Staff Technician
Jeff Rill, Principle Engineer
Albert Arvayo Sarah Brown Michael Ross

2. Source: Xavier Gallegos/ Tucson Citizen
Project Overview
Using slumped parabolic mirrors to concentrate sunlight for more efficient solar power
Final Goal: $1 per Watt
Current Status: Proof of
concept
Source: Xavier Gallegos/ Tucson Citizen

3. Project Overview Melting Point of Steel: ~2500 °F
Source: Xavier Gallegos/ Tucson Citizen
Source: Will Holst/ UANews
Melting Point of Steel: ~2500 °F
Time at focus: ~15 seconds

4. Simple Heat Pipes
Metal container with working fluid inside at a desired pressure
As the container is exposed to heat, the working fluid will absorb the thermal energy and boil
Vapor condenses at opposite side of the container, releasing thermal energy into the atmosphere

5. Working Fluid Boiling Point
Different pressures can change the boiling point of the working fluid

6. Temperature Differential
ΔT = Ts – TSAT
- s = surface
- SAT = saturated liquid
Low ΔT at low Ts is desired

7. Fluid/ Surface Combinations

8. Source: Xavier Gallegos/ Tucson Citizen
Summary
In order to achieve the end goal, significant cooling is necessary
Simple heat pipes are not ideal
Other methods of cooling are now being studied such as impinging jets
Source: Xavier Gallegos/ Tucson Citizen

9. Thank You With special thanks again to:
Dr. Roger Angel of Steward Observatory
Matt Rademacher, Staff Engineer Bruce Phillips, Staff Technician
Jeff Rill, Principle Engineer
Albert Arvayo Sarah Brown Michael Ross