Effect of non-uniform temperature distribution on surface absorption receiver in parabolic dish solar concentrator

Abstract

A flat surface absorption receiver was experimentally investigated with a parabolic dish solar concentrator in order to study the effect of receiver temperature distribution on heat gain and losses. The addition of specially designed metal fins in the inner surface of the receiver surface side the receiver transfers the incident heat flux to heat transfer fluid. The receiver surface temperature increased with increase in concentration ratio, intensity of beam radiation, and ambient temperature, but decrease with wind speed. The absorptivity of black coated mild steel of 0.85 and also the 0.15 emissivity of mild steel reduced the heat loss from the surface and improved heat gain to heat transfer fluid. The temperature gradient between the receiver periphery and centre is around 150 o C. Fluid flow direction like straight and curved paths have been discussed for effective heat absorption and reduced operational duration. The thermal efficiency and operational duration were determined for a flow rate of 80 litres per hour through the receiver. Water flow though the curved path was observed with improved thermal efficiency of 3.8% and 20% reduction in operational duration when compared to the vertical flow through the receiver at same flow rate.

Simultaneous Testing of a Parabolic Dish Concentrated PCM and Non-PCM Solar Receiver

“…The solar tracking of the PDC is a two-way axis mechanism. The specifications of the paraboloidal dish have been explained in the authors' earlier work [4,5]. The test site is SRM University, Chennai (13°N, 80°E).…”

Effect of Secondary Reflector on Thermal Performance of Linear Fresnel Concentrated Solar Collector

“…The effective utilization of solar energy is beneficial for the thermal management of the buildings [10]. The effect of temperature distribution and the thermal management of solar receivers are investigated to provide a uniform heat storage [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] The parametric study of the solar collector produces useful findings before going for the fabrication of the real-time solar collector [19 -21]. The scale-up linear Fresnel collector and effect of secondary reflector were investigated in the past works [22][23][24].…”

Heat Transfer Augmentation of Concentrated Solar Absorber Using Modified Surface Contour

“…Steel absorbers are preferably used in concentrated solar collectors due to the strength at high-temperature and cost-effectiveness [6][7]. The nonuniform temperature distribution was one of the factors seen in the point-focus solar absorbers, and the effect was minimized using modified HTF flow path and phase change materials in the solar absorbers [8][9].…”