Indirect inverse flux mapping of a concentrated solar source using infrared imaging

With the growing interest in high-flux solar sources, a need exists for simple, accurate, and inexpensive strategies to characterize their output radiative flux. In this paper, the irradiation output from a 10 kWe xenon lamp solar simulator is characterized by an inverse mapping technique that uses a custom radiometer and infrared camera, validated by a direct characterization method (heat flux gauge). The heat flux distribution is determined in a vacuum chamber using an easily obtainable graphite target and an inverse heat transfer model. The solar simulator produces peak fluxes in the range of 1.5-4.5 MW/m2 as measured directly by a heat flux gauge, and its output can be controlled using a variable power supply. Spectral measurements indicate that minor variations in the simulator's output with respect to its current supply occur in the spectral range of 450-800 nm. The radiometer presented in this work allows for characterizing solar irradiation under practical conditions (e.g., inside a solar reactor) and thus accounts for deviations due to additional components, such as viewport effects. Additionally, it provides an inexpensive and efficient means of monitoring any deterioration in the performance of solar sources over time without the need for complex recalibration.