Gianluca Marotta

Dr. Gianluca Marotta


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

7Years (2020-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

View All Publications
29 October 2020 in Energies
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
GMGianluca Marotta
Gianluca Marotta
PSPaola Sansoni
Paola Sansoni
FFFranco Francini
Franco Francini
JDJafrancesco David
Jafrancesco David
Maurizio De LuciaMaurizio De Lucia
Maurizio De Lucia
DFDaniela Fontani
Daniela Fontani
In concentrating solar systems, it is essential to study the optical losses of the collectors. A fundamental parameter is the intercept factor, namely, the fraction of sunrays reflected by the concentrator that reaches the receiver. Optical profilometry studies the relationship between the collector profile and the intercept factor, which influences the collection efficiency. Profilometric analyses were performed on a micro-parabolic trough collector (m-PTC), with reduced sizes and greater mirror curvature than a usual PTC. The proposed technique projects a luminous pattern (structured light) both on the collector with an opaque covering and on a flat reference plane. Measurement set-up and calibration technique were developed for m-PTC. A program coded in Python analyzed the images and reconstructs the mirror profile. The tilted reference plane was reconstructed using an original geometric model and a calibration procedure. The focal length of each parabolic section was calculated, providing information on surface defects in the mirror. An important parameter obtained was the displacement of the focus of the parabola with respect to the ideal position. Using this value, the intercept factor was estimated to be 0.89. The proposed technique was validated by comparing the results with an independent profilometric study applied to the same m-PTC.