A small-scale Linear Fresnel Collector (LFC) for the generation of process heat has been tested by Fraunhofer ISE; its performance was evaluated by means of two different methods. The first is a quasi-dynamic testing method performed according to the testing standard ISO 9806:2013, with modifications in the model to accurately describe LFCs. Due to the two-dimensional Incidence Angle Modifier (IAM) of an LFC, an iterative multi-linear regression (MLR) approach has been developed to be able to comprehensively evaluate the optical performance. The second method is a dynamic testing method based on a parameter identification incorporating a multi-node/plug-flow collector model without strict restraints on mass flow and inlet temperature stability. Both methods are briefly described in their conceptual design and their basic requirements, revealing their similarities and differences. Each method is then applied to real measurement data from an LFC, assessing practicability and identification accuracy. For both methods, the mean absolute difference between identified IAM values and results from ray tracing fell in a range of 0.013-0.017, leading to a similar accuracy in LFC performance evaluation. Differences in optical efficiency between the two methods are smaller, with an average absolute difference below 0.0098, even when using different measurement data and simulation models. Thus the dynamic method represents a good starting point for the further development of an alternative dynamic testing and evaluation method with more flexibility than the current testing standard. This will be significant when evaluating large-scale concentrating collectors and collectors with direct steam generation.

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Abstract. For the development and establishment of concentrating solar thermal collectors a reliable and comparable performance testing and evaluation is of great importance. To ensure a consistent performance testing in the area of lowtemperature collectors a widely accepted and commonly used international testing standard (ISO 9806:2013) is already available. In contrast to this, the standard ISO 9806:2013 has not completely penetrated the testing sector of concentrating collectors yet. On that account a detailed literature review has been performed on published testing procedures and evaluation methodologies as well as existing testing standards. The review summarizes characteristics of the different steady-state, quasi-dynamic and fully dynamic testing methods and presents current advancements, assets and drawbacks as well as limitations of the evaluation procedures. Little research is published in the area of (quasi-) dynamic testing of large solar collectors and fields. As a complementary a survey has been conducted focusing on currently implemented evaluation procedures in this particular field. Among the ten participants of the survey were project partners of relevant industry and research institutions within the European project STAGE-STE (Work package 11 -Linear focusing STE technologies). The survey addressed general aspects of the systems under test, as well as required process conditions and detailed characteristics of the evaluation procedures. In congruence with the literature review, the survey shows a similar tendency: the quasi-dynamic testing method according ISO 9806:2013 presents the most common and advanced evaluation procedure mainly used in the context of tracking concentrating collectors for the performance assessment of parabolic trough collectors operating with thermal oil or pressurized water. These common solar systems can be evaluated with minor adaptions to the testing standard. Evaluation procedures focused on in-situ measurements in solar fields or collectors are scarce and complex as well as an evaluation of linear Fresnel collectors or other systems operating with non-common heat transfer media like molten salt and direct steam. As those are still SolarPACES 2015

This paper presents a methodology for performance acceptance testing of solar boilers using Linear Fresnel Reflectors (LFR) with Direct Steam Generation (DSG). The proposed methodology is based on relevant ISO and American standards applying an adapted parameter identification technique. Discussions regarding measurement requirements and uncertainty analysis are also provided. This methodology will be eventually consolidated thanks to real operational data on next LFR power plants.

Heat loss prediction models for parabolic trough receivers do not consider the thermal effect of a secondary mirror. As an extension a Thermal Resistance Model (TRM) has been developed at Fraunhofer ISE for the prediction of the heat loss of three different Linear Fresnel Collector (LFC) receiver configurations. In previous investigations we have found the energy balance of a LFC receiver to be strongly influenced by the amount of solar radiation absorbed by the secondary mirror. This absorption provokes an increase of temperature of the secondary mirror and hence a decrease in the total amount of heat loss of a LFC. The size of this effect depends on the receiver geometry and diverse ambient parameters. Investigated parameters are wind velocity, ambient temperature and Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI). This dependency and its effect on heat loss and secondary mirror temperatures are analyzed for three different LFC receiver configurations. As the radiation absorbed by the secondary mirror is affected by the aperture area of the LFC, studies are performed for small-scale and for large-scale collectors.

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