Sandstorm erosion on solar reflectors: A field study on height and orientation dependence. (15th February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wiesinger, F.; Sutter, F.; Fernández-García, A.; Wette, J.; Hanrieder, N.
• Is Part Of: Energy. Volume 217(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-02-15
• Subjects: Concentrating solar power plant -- Photovoltaic plant -- Solar reflector -- Sandstorm -- Erosion -- Desert conditions; Power resources -- Periodicals; Power (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; Energy consumption -- Periodicals; 333.7905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2020.119351
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-5442

Abstract

Abstract: A large share of future solar energy plants is going to be located in desert environments where the involved aging effects of the installed components still exhibit a lack of knowledge. The acquired data within this project is considered of high interest for plant developers because for the first time representative samples were exposed at three heights above ground (1.2, 2.4 and 3.6 m) and varying orientations at a Moroccan site which is known to exhibit significant sandstorm activity for 12 months. Additionally, the present wind velocities and directions were measured. It could be concluded, that the strongest reflectance losses are detected on the samples which are orientated towards the directions from which the maximum wind velocities were measured, even though their frequency was three orders of magnitude smaller than the frequency of intermediate winds. Furthermore, an explicit height dependence of the erosion effects with increasing distance from the ground is demonstrated. Analysis of the horizontal inclination angles showed that the reflectors exposed at 90° experienced twice the damage that was measured at the reflectors exposed at 45°. This is in line with theoretical assumptions and results from laboratory experiments dealing with the dependence of erosion effects on the impact angle. Highlights: Outdoor exposure of CSP mirrors at a site of frequent sandstorm occurrence. Exposure accompanied by meteorological and geological data acquisition. Analysis of erosion damage in dependence of wind velocity and direction. Analysis of erosion damage in dependence of height above ground. Analysis of erosion damage in dependence of horizontal inclination angle.