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The Bellani spherical pyranometer or radiation integrator; the calibration of an improved model, and some suggestions for further improvements
Author(s) -
Gunn D. L.,
Yeo Douglas,
Ovey C. D.
Publication year - 1951
Publication title -
quarterly journal of the royal meteorological society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.744
H-Index - 143
eISSN - 1477-870X
pISSN - 0035-9009
DOI - 10.1002/qj.49707733214
Subject(s) - pyranometer , integrator , calibration , radiation , measure (data warehouse) , environmental science , envelope (radar) , solar constant , computer science , remote sensing , physics , optics , telecommunications , geology , radar , bandwidth (computing) , database , quantum mechanics
The need for instruments to measure solar radiation for biological purposes has been cogently argued by Buxton but no entirely suitable instrument has been available. The radiation integrator of the Bellani type has been greatly improved by modern techniques and, with certain further suggested improvements, might become a generally useful instrument. Field calibration of the most recent model gives a mean thermal efficiency of about 75 per cent., which is much higher than that of any previous model. Of the losses, 10 per cent. is invariable and irremediable, being largely due to the glass envelope, while most of the remainder is variable and due to re‐radiation from the black receiver. Suggestions are made for increasing efficiency still more and reducing variability.