Potential of 2.7m2 Scheffler Reflector for Making Solar Powered Bricks in Indian Climatic Conditions
Author(s):
Jaspal Singh, Gurwinder Singh, Munish Kainth
Keywords:
Scheffler Reflector, Secondary Reflector, Receiver, Solar Radiation, Clay Brick.
Abstract
Renewable energy has been used in various forms for more than a century. Environmental issues like global warming, depletion of non-renewable energy sources marks the importance of pollution free renewable sources of energy. Scheffler Reflector, an alternative way to utilize solar energy in form of heat over conventional fuel. Scheffler Reflector receives solar radiation and constitutes a proven source of heat energy for various industrial and domestic applications. Various research works have been undertaken in the past to utilize solar radiation for different application using Scheffler Reflector and performed thermal analysis. However it seems that no work has been carried out by investigator to make the clay brick based on Scheffler Reflector in Indian climatic conditions.
This paper has been focused on the various works done by the past investigators, to make the clay brick using solar energy as heat source and to point out the further future scope in the field of renewable energy. It was found from the present experimental investigation that compressive strength of brick increases from 1.3 MPa to 5.01 MPa. The maximum temperature of brick achieved with average solar radiations of 970 W/m2 was 351.3 °C. For this area of Scheffler Reflector change in compressive strength is remarkable.
