Design, Construction and Operation of an Innovative Linear Fresnel Collector
Abstract
This work presents the design, construction, and preliminary qualification of an innovative linear Fresnel collector (LFC) intended for industrial process heat applications below 250°C. The prototype incorporates optical enhancements such as concentrator inclination, independent frame rotation, and receiver displacement to reduce incidence angle effects and end losses. Local material availability and on-site manufacturing were key design premises. The collector, featuring a multi-tube cavity receiver and an advanced tracking control system, was installed in a pilot plant in Southern Spain using pressurized water as the heat transfer fluid. Initial commissioning tests were completed in 2024 and operational results got during 2025 demonstrate the proper functionality to supply heat in industrial heat processes, validating the proposed innovations.
Keywords
linear Fresnel collector, solar industrial heat, optical efficiency, thermal performance