This report contains a theoretical discussion of the parabolic-type solar furnace. Calculations of the heat flux and the maximum temperature obtainable at the focus are presented for furnaces of different diameter-to-focal- length ratios. The analysis is extended to the California Institute of Technology lens-type furnace.nThe calculations indicate that the upper practical limit of a para¬bolic furnace has a rim angle 6 between 50 to 60° or a diameter-to-focal -length ratio of about 2.0. Above a rim angle of 60° there is very little increase in the maximum temperature obtainable at the focus.
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