Parabolic trough collector with solar tracking Function and operating behavior of a parabolic trough collector, astronomical and sensor-based sun tracking, system control via PLC Features - mobile parabolic trough collector with motorized two-axis tracking - astronomical and sensor-based tracking - plant control using an integrated PLC - integrated router for operation and control via an end device and for screen mirroring on additional end devices: PC, tablet, smartphone Learning objectives/experiments - focusing of solar radiation with a parabolic trough mirror - optical concentration factor - DNI: Direct Normal Irradiance - sensor-based sun tracking - astronomical sun tracking - conversion of radiant energy into heat - losses in thermal solar collectors - efficiency curves Specification [1] thermal solar collector with parabolic trough mirror and selectively absorbing absorber tube [2] two-axis sun tracking with gear motors [3] plant control with PLC, operation via touch screen [4] integrated router for operation and control via an end device and for screen mirroring: mirroring of the user interface on up to 5 end devices [5] integrated sun sensor (Direct Normal Irradiance) [6] integrated magnetometer and accelerometer for astronomical alignment [7] connection of the absorber pipe by solar circuit with pump, plate heat exchanger, expansion vessel and safety valve [8] hot water circuit with buffer tank, pump and connectable air heat exchanger [9] sensors for temperature, illuminance and flow [10] pivoted suspension enables vertical alignment of the collector [11] operation with solar radiation or with artificial light source HL 313.01 [12] data acquisition via PLC on internal memory, access to stored measured values via WLAN/LAN with integrated router/LAN connection to customer's own network or direct LAN connection without customer network Technical data PLC: Eaton XV-303 Collector - parabolic mirror -- trough length: 1,4m -- aperture width: 1,1m -- mirror surface: 1,5m2 -- focal length: 0,3m - absorber -- selectively coated absorber tubes with U-tube line for heat transfer fluid -- double-walled glass shell to reduce heat loss - solar circuit station -- solar pump: adjustable Hot water circuit - plate heat exchanger: 3kW, 10 plates - buffer tank: 70L Measuring ranges - flow rate: 20...320L/h - temperature: 4x 0...160°C - pressure: 0...6bar 230V, 50Hz, 1 phase, 230V, 60Hz, 1 phase 120V, 60Hz, 1 phase, UL/CSA optional LxWxH: 2610x940x2000mm Weight: approx. 350kg