Importance

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Abstract

An external concentrator is provided for use with heat collection elements (HCE's of a solar parabolic trough power plant. In one arrangement, the concentrator includes a plurality of ribs that are adapted to extend radially outward from the outside surface of an HCE and along the linear length of the HCE to help redirect stray/spilled light into the absorber tube of the HCE. In another arrangement, the concentrator includes a shield placed on or near a surface of the HCE opposite of the parabolic reflective trough. The reflective shield includes ribs or brims that are disposed adjacent to one or both lateral edges of a reflective shield applied to the outside surface of a HCE tube to increase the collection of stray light reflected by the reflective trough.

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First Claim