Optical-Energy Characteristics and Heating Temperatures in Small Single-Mirror Solar Furnaces

The possibilities of using single-mirror small solar furnaces (SSFs) with concentrators made of spotlight mirrors in high-temperature materials science are investigated. Calculated estimates of the optical-energy characteristics (OECs) of spotlight mirrors as SSF elements (average concentrations and flux distribution in the focal plane depending on the mirror inaccuracies) are carried out. Experimental studies of SSFs with a spotlight mirror with a diameter of 2 m and an opening angle of 60° showed that they can provide average flux densities of concentrated solar radiation up to 600–700 W/cm2 on a working spot with a diameter of up to 10–15 mm and provide heating temperatures above 3000 K. The results of the study show the possibilities of using SSFs with a parabolic spotlight mirror with a diameter of 2 m in high-temperature materials science, both at the research stage and at the stages of developing the technology for obtaining functional materials in the Large Solar Furnace.