Week 4

During this week we tested the concentrating power of the 50” TV lens.  In the video below we are using the TV screen to burn a stick and some cardboard underneath. The TV screen has the ability to concentrate the sun’s rays in order to heat up the stick to the point where it catches on fire.  In later experiments we burnt an aluminum soda can. Upon research we discovered that the melting point of aluminum is 1,221°F.  This is extremely hot and will definitely speed up the evaporation of the water.  We also learned more about what types of lenses produce the most-concentrated light.  The TV screen that was used in the video was a linear fresnel lens which produces a trough-shaped beam of concentrated light. In order to improve the concentration we decided to use a spot fresnel lens which produces a circular light beam.  Spot fresnel lenses have the capability to concentrate heat in excess of 2000 °F. Once we found this out we ordered 10 lens online at a reasonable price of $40 that will be applicable to the final design.

We also redesigned our solar concentrator system to act as dome that will be made up of multiple smaller concentrators at various angles.  The lenses will be positioned west to east so it will be able to use at the sun’s rays throughout the day. In the next week we will be making the final design of the concentrator and getting the metal container to store the water.