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Combined numerical and experimental study of shadow-induced spatial flux heterogeneity at the output of solar furnace homogenizers

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  • Anguera-Romero, Ernesto
  • Cisneros-Cárdenas, N. Aracely
  • Estrada, Claudio A.

Abstract

Uniform solar flux distribution in high-flux solar furnaces is critical for the efficient performance of thermochemical reactors, advanced materials processing, and concentrated photovoltaic systems. Although several flux homogenization strategies have been proposed, the influence of inherent and removable obstacles within the optical path is often neglected. This study combines ray tracing simulations and experimental flux mapping in the HoSIER solar furnace to assess the effects of both removable and inherent obstructions on radiative flux homogenization. Results show that obstacles can reduce flux uniformity by up to 82 % relative to the ideal configuration, and that extending the length of a hollow reflective homogenizer does not necessarily improve the flux distribution; on the contrary, it can diminish optical efficiency by increasing the number of internal reflections. Furthermore, a new simulation approach based on a slatted-heliostat model is proposed to improve the optimization of ray-tracing simulations.

Suggested Citation

  • Anguera-Romero, Ernesto & Cisneros-Cárdenas, N. Aracely & Estrada, Claudio A., 2026. "Combined numerical and experimental study of shadow-induced spatial flux heterogeneity at the output of solar furnace homogenizers," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 258(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:258:y:2026:i:c:s0960148125026023
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2025.124938
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nidia Aracely Cisneros-Cárdenas & Rafael Cabanillas-López & Ricardo Pérez-Enciso & Guillermo Martínez-Rodríguez & Rafael García-Gutiérrez & Carlos Pérez-Rábago & Ramiro Calleja-Valdez & David Riveros-, 2021. "Study of the Radiation Flux Distribution in a Parabolic Dish Concentrator," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-15, October.
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