PSA Vertical Axis Solar Furnace SF5

Abstract A new high-flux vertical axis solar furnace has been constructed and is fully operational at Plataforma Solar de Almeria (PSA). This new system is able to deliver up to 5 kW power at peak concentration ratios exceeding 6000. It has been designed to perform tests that require high radiant flux, strong gradients and very high temperatures, and will be devoted for materials treatment at high temperature, under vacuum and controlled atmosphere conditions This new solar furnace operates in a vertical axis, i.e. parabolic concentrator and heliostat are vertically aligned on the optical axis of the paraboloid. The main advantage of vertical axis solar furnaces is that the samples are deposited, without the need of any fixation, on a horizontal plane where they can be treated directly in the focus or inside crucibles, avoiding problems of loss of material by gravity in those tests in which pre-deposited powders are used, or when the treatment requires surface melting of the specimens, and preventing the use of re-directional mirrors, with the loss of power involved. The SF5 main components and canting procedures (alignment) of heliostat and concentrator are described, as well as the flux measurement in the focal area.