A Linear Parabolic Trough Solar Collector Performance Model

Abstract

A performance model has been programmed for solar thermal collector based on a linear, tracking parabolic trough reflector focused on a surface-treated metallic pipe receiver enclosed in an evacuated transparent tube: a Parabolic Trough Solar Collector (PTSC). This steady state, single dimensional model comprises the fundamental radiative and convective heat transfer and mass and energy balance relations programmed in the Engineering Equation Solver, EES. It considers the effects of solar intensity and incident angle, collector dimensions, material properties, fluid properties, ambient conditions, and operating conditions on the performance of the collector: the PTSC. Typical performance calculations show that when hot-water at 165C flows through a 6m by 2.3m PTSC with 900 w/m^2 solar insulation and 0 incident angle, the estimated collector efficiency is about 55% The model predictions will be confirmed by the operation of PTSCs now being installed at Carnegie Mellon.

An assessment of solar-powered organic Rankine cycle systems for combined heating and power in UK domestic applications

“…This is a more simplistic approach than those found elsewhere (e.g. [10,19]), where optical and thermal efficiencies are calculated separately, and individual energy balances are solved for each layer or surface. The only collector geometry information required to perform the model calculations is the total array area.…”

“…The limit for the amount of preheated water that can result is determined by the hot water demand, in Eq. (19). It is assumed that any surplus cooling water is discharged to drain.…”

Year-round performance assessment of a solar parabolic trough collector under climatic condition of Bhiwani, India: A case study

“…Qu et al [31] developed 1-D model at steady-state for the receiver tube to enhance the overall performance of the system. x solar hour angle (°) 2 ab receiver emittance 2 c glass envelope emittance…”

Improvements in efficiency of solar parabolic trough

“…Ming Qu et al [10] down works on linear tracking parabolic trough reflector focused on a surfacetreated metallic pipe receiver enclosed in an evacuated transparent tube, and obtained fundamental radiative and convective heat transfer and mass and energy balance relations. The experiment is shows that when hot-water at 165°C flows through a 6m by 2.3m Parabolic Trough Solar Collector with 900 w/m 2 solar insulation and 0 incident angles, the estimated collector efficiency is about 55%.…”