Prevention of soiling of heliostat surfaces

ABSTRACT:
The goal of this program is to develop treatments for the glass surface of the heliostat or plastic dome covering the aluminized Mylar mirror of enclosed heliostats to prevent or minimize soiling and to facilitate cleaning. Various antistatic and antisoiling agents were examined to

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determine which materials would produce the highest efficiency in the reduction of soiling on glass or plastic surfaces. These materials were either reactive with glass or plastic themselves, reactive with a coupling agent, such as a silane or titanate, or compatible with a carrier, such as weather-resistant coating. The organic compounds known to be reactive with hydroxyl groups were attached directly to the glass surface. Other organic compounds were grafted to the plastic or glass surfaces using silane or titanate coupling agents. Antistats or soil-release agents which are compatible with weather-resistant coating vehicles, such as acrylics, or silicones, were blended with the carrier and coated on the glass or plastic surface. Screening tests of the treated surfaces were conducted to determine the best agents for the reduction of soiling and whether or not the treatment process was economically feasible when compared to "standard" washing procedures. The testing procedures included determinations of clarity, hardness, abrasion resistance, a·ntistatic properties, antisoiling properties, and permanence.

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