PECS - Solar Concentrators Testing Platform

The Solar Concentrators Testing Platform aims to experimentally determine the parameters of optical and thermal characterization of solar concentrator modules designed for solar radiation conversion temperatures in the medium temperature range (100 ° C <T <400 ° C). In this range, the most common technologies are cylinder-parabolic or linear Fresnel linear focus. However, the principles followed in the design and operation of the platform, allow the testing of any technological concept.

PECS Foto aérea 02

The tests are performed according to the quasi-dynamic method described in the ISO 9806 standard, which implies restrictions in terms of the stability of the test fluid temperature and its flow, as well as the range of angles of incidence of solar radiation on the collector opening. To meet these requirements, the testing platform can move on two axes and is coupled to a hydraulic circuit with heating, cooling and flow regulation capabilities where thermal oil circulates. The flexible hydraulic connections guarantee the rotation of the section of the hydraulic circuit installed on the test platform (feeder and return of the collector), around the vertical axis (azimuth movement) and the horizontal axis (lifting movement).

This infrastructure was built at the Mitra pole of the University of Évora in a project financed by regional funds under the Regional Operational Programme of Alentejo 2007/2013 through the European Fund for Regional Development (FEDER) with the contract INALENTEJO ALENT-07-0262-FEDER- 001876.

Equipment:  The infrastructure consists of a mobile platform (13 x 18 m2) where the module is installed, engine room where the main components of the hydraulic circuit (boiler, circulation pump, regulating valves, instrumentation and safety) are located, circuit cooling system (chiller and inertia tank), expansion vessel and pressurization group, and by control room (electrical panels and SCADA system).