The geometrical optical performance characteristics of a composite parabolic trough (CPT) with a fin receiver have been studied. The variation of geometrical concentration ratio with mirror element size and the rim angle of the parent parabola has been studied and the results are presented...

The effects of receiver misplacement and the trough pointing towards the sun on the concentration characteristics of a composite parabolic trough are discussed. Results from some numerical calculations are presented graphically and discussed.

The geometrical concentration characteristics of a two-stage system employing a composite parabolic trough as a primary--and a compound parabolic concentrator as a secondary--concentrator are discussed. The relative merits of such a two-stage system over a single-stage CPT are brought out from...

The variation of the geometrical concentration ratio for cylindrical and flat plate receivers with the strip width of a composite cylindrical parabola concentrator has been examined numerically in cases when the edges of the constituent strips lie on the parent parabola.

This paper examines the feasibility of increasing solar gains through the roof/wall of a building using the thermal trap effect. It is seen that for a 0·03 m thick thermal trap, the thermal flux through a concrete slab increases by about 50 per cent.

This paper describes an investigation of the periodic heat transfer and optimum placement of the air gap in a hollow concrete slab subjected to solar radiation and atmospheric air on one side and in contact with air at a fixed temperature on the other. The heat conduction equation has been...

This paper compares the thermal performances of single hollow (SHS) and double hollow concrete slabs (DHS) from three points of view: (i) the overall reduction in heat flux, (ii) load levelling and (iii) the phase difference. It is seen that, for the same total thickness of concrete (i) a DHS...