EuroTrough Design Issues and Prototype Testing at PSA

Abstract

A parabolic trough collector has been developed for various applications in the 200–400°C temperature range in solar fields up to the hundreds Megawatts range. The design of a new support structure of the collector included concept studies, wind tunnel measurements, finite elements method (FEM) analyses and resulted in a structure with a central framework element. This torque box design will have lower weight and less deformation of the collector structure than the other designs considered. Therefore it will be possible in future to connect more collector elements on one drive which results in reduced total number of drives and interconnecting pipes, thus reducing the installation cost and thermal losses. In terms of the degree of material usage further weight reduction will be possible. The presented design has a significant potential for cost reduction, the most important goal of the EuroTrough project. The prototype has been set-up and is under testing at PSA (Plataforma Solar de Almería) for its thermal and mechanical properties.

Validating The Supporting Structure of A Parabolic Solar Collector Using Close Range Photogrammetry

“…To reconstruct the surface shape of a PTC (Lüpfert et al., ; Geyer et al., ), whose theoretical shape is given by the equation Z = Y 2 /4 f , with f = 1·71m in this instance, close range photogrammetry was used. Although the collector was measured in both a horizontal and a vertical position, in this paper only the horizontal position is studied.…”

Modeling and designing of the solar thermal parabolic trough concentrator and its environmental effects

“…Afterwards, several new CSP plants such as the Nevada Solar One and the Andosol I and II, were put into action worldwide . Several studies were carried out to develop a new assisting structure, which reduces investment cost , and a new reflector and receiver to improve optical efficiency . The analysis and optimization of the relationship network between the solar field, power block, and energy storage system were necessary to improve annual efficiency and reduce the cost .…”

Thermal‐fluid flow within innovative heat storage concrete systems for solar power plants

“…By using this design of parabolic trough collector, the potential for very large costs reductions comes out. Lüpfert et al (2001) consider how the existing parabolic trough power plants are a capable and ever-growing technology and, thanks to improvements reached through R&D, it is likely that costs will consistently decrease while advantages and technology rapidly increase.…”