Solar Furnace

Name:
Solar Furnace
Detailed information:
An experimental device for attaining extremely high temperatures for physical and chemical research. Solar radiation is directed by an array of 63 heliostats onto a parabolic reflector that is 2000 m² in area and composed of more than 9000 curved mirrors. By this means the radiation is focused on a target area of 0.3 m². Three furnaces, each of 1000 kW capacity, have been constructed; one is located in New Mexico, the others are in France and Japan. Calcium carbide is reported to have been made in the French solar furnace from lime and coke at 1980C (3600F), under the sponsorship of the Institute of Gas Technology.