A
solar furnace uses a heliostat that tracks the sun to
direct sunlight onto a mirrored parabolic dish. Because
the focal point of the dish does not move, it is simple
to install experiments. The power level of the furnace
is adjusted using an attenuator that works like a venetian
blind located between the heliostat and the dish.
The
Test Facility has
A
small solar furnace with
High-temperature solar thermochemical water-spitting experiments
A
heliostat that is 95 m²
A
dish that is 6.7056 meters in diameter
This
furnace provides
16
kW total thermal power
Peak
flux up to 500 W/cm²
The
furnace has a power control to simulate nuclear and other
thermal transients
Applications
include
Investigating
the thermophysical properties of materials in concentrated
sunlight, including thermal expansion, thermal conductivity
and diffusivity, specific heat, mechanical properties,
and spectral emissivity and absorptivity
Simulation
of thermal effects of nuclear explosions on materials
and components
Determining
the performance and failure thresholds of high-temperature
ceramic and refractory materials
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