The Truncated Pyramidal Solar Concentrator (TPSC) is a four-mirror device configured as a square frustum, utilized in solar oven technology for medium-temperature applications. This study aims to calculate the concentration ratio and solar flux distributi

Abstract

The Truncated Pyramidal Solar Concentrator (TPSC) is a four-mirror device configured as a square frustum, utilized in solar oven technology for medium-temperature applications. This study aims to calculate the concentration ratio and solar flux distribution on the receiver by ray-tracing incident solar radiation from the aperture until it strikes the receiver or escapes. Assumptions include solar rays as equal, symmetric straight lines tilted by the altitude angle β and the solar azimuth angle γ, and flat, smooth mirrors with negligible absorption. This study investigates the impact of mirror height, receiver-to-aperture area ratio, and solar ray incidence angles β, γ on flux distribution and concentration. Results indicate that flux distribution is significantly affected by height, receiver-to-aperture area ratio. At β = γ = 0°, the concentration ratio increases with both height and aperture area, although the latter only up to a limit. The solar altitude angle β reduces concentration, but less significantly than γ. It is concluded that height and aperture area have a major impact on flux distribution and concentration. This mathematical model is crucial as a design tool, providing a more accurate and detailed computational framework for flux mapping on the receiver compared to previous studies, thereby enabling thermal performance optimization in solar applications.