Re: Hemispherical Solar Concentrator?

From: Georgie Hinklemyer <samoolives_at_yahoo.com_at_hypermail.org>
Date: Fri, 11 Jun 2004 07:52:10 -0000

Mylar works great as a surface coating. Or any other silvered
sheeting. Tinfoil is lots cheaper and easier, but collects wrinkles
like you wouldn't believe.
Really small egg shape: use a plastic lady's "L'Eggs" Egg. They make
nice parabolic surfaces.
Medium-sized egg shape: try blowing up a balloon, tape the knot down
VERY flat, and papier-mache it. Use the knot end as the bottom of the
mirror. Punching-bag balloons get to be about 2 feet across, if
you're lucky.
Smaller egg shape, already mirrored: a mylar balloon. Papier-mache it
and the inside's already silvered. Might not be a steep enough
parabola, though.
Do you know how to calculate the focus of a parabola?
--Debbie


--- In OliveStarlightOrchestra_at_yahoogroups.com, "Richard Conner"
<rkc_at_p...> wrote:
> I'm looking into experimenting creating a sort of hemispherical
solar
> concentrator. Perhaps some of you out there may have some words of
> wisdom or ideas for me...
>
> Looking something like:
>
> | o |
> \ |=/=== b
> -|-
> |
> a
> 1. Lightweight plastic(?) hemisphere - possibly some sort of sphere
> that might be cut in half.
> 2. Some form of reflective coating?
> 3. Small copper ball (o) attached to copper tube/wire (o-a)
> dropping thru hemisphere.
> 4. Clear plastic(?) tubing(?) (a-o-b)
>
> Experiment is to heat water in tube (o-a) to cause thermosyphoning
> from cooler water below (a) to be heated and flow out thru (b).
>
> Any suggestions for parts/information/etc much appreciated.
>
> -Richard
Received on 2004-06-11 00:52:12