High-Flux Solar Simulator
The High-Flux Solar Simulator (HFSS) provides laboratory generation of high-intensity, solar-like radiative heating under controlled and repeatable conditions. A high-power lamp array combined with Fresnel-lens concentration produces a compact focal region with MW/m²-class heat flux, enabling rapid heating and well-defined radiative boundary conditions representative of concentrating solar power (CSP) applications.
Applications
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Solar receiver development: evaluation of receiver concepts, apertures, and sub-assemblies under realistic radiative loading
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Materials and coatings: assessment of durability and performance, including oxidation behaviour, cracking, and changes during thermal cycling
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Receiver–reactor research: support for experiments where high radiative flux drives high-temperature processes and advanced heat-transfer/conversion concepts
Experimental approach and diagnostics
Test campaigns are commonly supported by flux mapping and calorimetry to quantify delivered power and spatial flux distributions, improving comparability between experiments and enabling validation of numerical models. The facility configuration allows flexible integration of targets and instrumented test sections, supporting both screening studies and detailed characterization experiments.
Typical capability
Depending on configuration and target geometry, the HFSS can reach very high surface temperatures (up to ~1500 °C) and deliver MW/m²-level peak radiative heat flux on target.
Access and contact
HFSS is part of the Laboratory of the Division of Heat and Power Technology at KTH Energy Technology. External partners and students interested in using the facility for experiments, projects or theses are welcome to get in touch.
