Level of Education of Students Involved

Undergraduate

Faculty Sponsor

Luke Venstrom

College

College of Engineering (COE)

Discipline(s)

Mechanical Engineering, Renewable Energy

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation

Symposium Date

Spring 4-30-2026

Abstract

The solar furnace at Valparaiso University’s Solar Energy Research Facility concentrates sunlight to heat a reactor, which is necessary for chemical reactions such as thermochemical hydrogen production. During the spring of 2026, work was done to ensure smooth operation of the solar furnace in the future. The furnace’s concentrating ability depends on the facets being oriented to the correct focal length. Analysis has shown that the concentrator could achieve a better concentration if it were refocused. The focusing process includes positioning a mirror at the concentrator’s center of curvature to reflect a laser towards a facet, then adjusting the facet so that the laser reflects back to strike the mirror once again. This process is time and labor intensive as it must be done for all 303 facets. We have done analysis and design work to improve the focusing process, including automating mirror movements and stiffening the cantilever support structure to avoid vibration during the process. Further, we have implemented a measurement workflow for the SOLFAST software that uses camera-based measurements of mirror slope and spot distribution, providing support for alignment verification. In addition, DNI data is valuable while the furnace is running, and can be measured by a pyroheliometer. We have updated the pyroheliometer to automatically track the sun based on GPS and provide real time DNI data to a website throughout the day.

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