Modeling and performance evaluation of parabolic trough solar collector desalination system

Arun, C. Joe; Sreekumar, P.C.

doi:10.1016/j.matpr.2017.11.147

Cited by 16 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…In a review study [9], the PTC performance was found to be dependent on the optical efficiency, circulating fluid heat transfer coefficient, heat flux, reflectance of the reflector, the absorptance, the diameter of the absorber and the length of the collector. The PTC has been used in the desalination field due to its superior performance in solar light tracking and focal receiving [10]. The parabolic concentrator tracking system is used [11] with the tubular solar still for the purpose of desalination, and the resultant production capacities are 0.28, 0.214 and 1.66 L/day, with a production cost of 0.033, 0.044 and 0.024 US$/L, respectively.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integration of Process Modeling, Design, and Optimization with an Experimental Study of a Solar-Driven Humidification and Dehumidification Desalination System

et al. 2018

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Solar energy is becoming a promising source of heat and power for electrical generation and desalination plants. In this work, an integrated study of modeling, optimization, and experimental work is undertaken for a parabolic trough concentrator combined with a humidification and dehumidification desalination unit. The objective is to study the design performance and economic feasibility of a solar-driven desalination system. The design involves the circulation of a closed loop of synthetic blend motor oil in the concentrators and the desalination unit heat input section. The air circulation in the humidification and dehumidification unit operates in a closed loop, where the circulating water runs during the daytime and requires only makeup feed water to maintain the humidifier water level. Energy losses are reduced by minimizing the waste of treated streams. The process is environmentally friendly, since no significant chemical treatment is required. Design, construction, and operation are performed, and the system is analyzed at different circulating oil and air flow rates to obtain the optimum operating conditions. A case study in Saudi Arabia is carried out. The study reveals unit capability of producing 24.31 kg/day at a circulating air rate of 0.0631 kg/s and oil circulation rate of 0.0983 kg/s. The tradeoff between productivity, gain output ratio, and production cost revealed a unit cost of 12.54 US$/m3. The impact of the circulating water temperature has been tracked and shown to positively influence the process productivity. At a high productivity rate, the humidifier efficiency was found to be 69.1%, and the thermal efficiency was determined to be 82.94%. The efficiency of the parabolic trough collectors improved with the closed loop oil circulation, and the highest performance was achieved from noon until 14:00 p.m.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integration of Process Modeling, Design, and Optimization with an Experimental Study of a Solar-Driven Humidification and Dehumidification Desalination System

et al. 2018

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“…The reference case could potentially produce 1.72 litres/h at the observed thermal efficiency in Zagazig, surpassing the maximal yield reported by Chaouchi et al [38] (1.27 litres/h), with minimal carbon footprint. Nevertheless, the maximal productivity of this system was inferior to Nafaa et al [27] and Arun and Sreekumar's [36] highest production rates (2.952 kg/h and 2.3 kg/h, respectively), because of design's CR and the utilisation of stainless steel (grade 316) as a receiver tube. However, the improvement procedure resulted in enhancing the system's productivity drastically.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 63%

“…A similar system was also examined by Arun and Sreekumar [36] at solar intensities ranging from 415 to 715 W/m 2 . Initially, they investigated the performance of the system with a stainless steel receiver tube and glass covered copper by measuring the inlet and outlet temperatures.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, employing such principle can reduce the efficiency of this system, as an additional source of energy is required to operate the condenser. Furthermore, only Arun and Sreekumar [36] examined the utilisation of different materials for the receiver tube. Their work demonstrated an enhanced thermal performance for the evacuated copper tube while the stainless steel tube showed a lower efficiency.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Analysing the Material Suitability and Concentration Ratio of a Solar-Powered Parabolic trough Collector (PTC) Using Computational Fluid Dynamics

et al. 2020

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Solar-powered desalination is a sustainable solution for countries experiencing water scarcity. Several studies have presented different solutions to provide cleaner production in desalination systems. Parabolic trough collector (PTC) is one of these solutions that has proven to be superior among solar concentrators. Furthermore, a number of studies have investigated the use of PTC for distillation of saline water in response to water scarcity. In this study, a modified PTC model was developed, in which the heat exchanger was replaced by a condensation tube to reduce the energy consumption, and a black layer was introduced to the surface of the receiver to enhance its absorptance. As a reference case, the system productivity according to average solar intensities in Zagazig, located at 30°34′N 31°30′E in the North East of Egypt, is estimated. The results indicated that the maximum production rate that can be attained is 1.72 kg/hr. Then, the structure of the system is evaluated with the aid of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modelling, in order to enhance its productivity. Many materials are examined and the results recognised copper as the most suitable material amongst marine grade metals (i.e., aluminium, galvanised steel and stainless steel) to construct the receiver tube. This is due to its superior thermal performance, satisfactory corrosion resistance, and acceptable cost. Afterwards, the selected receiver tube was employed to identify the optimal Concentration Ratio (CR). Consequently, a CR of 90.56 was determined to be the optimum value for Zagazig and regions with similar solar radiation. As a result, the system’s productivity was enhanced drastically, as it was estimated that a maximum production rate of 6.93 kg/hr can be achieved.

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“…Hang and Mingtao 23 designed a parabolic collector with a rim angle of 84°, length of 4.2 m, aperture area of 6.72 m 2 , and efficiency of 72%. Arun and Sreekumar 24 investigated the performance of the PTC equipped with a solar still for desalination using absorber tubes of different materials with yield 2 L/m 2 . Mosleh et al 25 used a grouping of the heat pipe and evacuated tube with the PTC.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Numerical and experimental investigation of parabolic trough collector with focal evacuated tube and different working fluids integrated with single slope solar still

Nabil

Dawood

2020

Heat Trans

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This study deals with the design and fabrication of parabolic trough solar collectors (PTCs) used to increase the yield of a single slope solar still. The designed parabolic trough solar collector is investigated numerically using Ansys Fluent 18.2. The proposed solar still is coupled with a parabolic trough solar collector with an evacuated tube receiver in its focal axis using different working fluids. The working fluids are water (case 1), oil (case 2), and nano‐oil (CuO/mineral oil 3% vol; case 3). In the case when the working fluid is not water, then a heat exchanger serpentine should be used in the solar still basin. The PTC has a rim angle of 82° and an aperture width of 0.9 m and length of 2.8 m. An assessment of the performance for the studied systems was accomplished under the weather conditions of Ismailia, Egypt, during summer months, June, July, and August 2019. The outcomes of closed‐loop working fluids different flow rates are investigated. The experimental results of the accumulated freshwater productivities record 2.955, 3.475, 4.29, and 5.04 L m−2 d−1 for the traditional solar still and the modified cases 1 to 3 solar stills, respectively. The modified solar still in case 3 has the highest daily accumulated freshwater productivity with a percentage increase of 71.2% than the traditional solar still. The maximum daily efficiency is 46% and 26.9% for the traditional and modified (case 3) solar stills, respectively. The cost of 1 L of fresh water is 0.057 and 0.062 $/L for the traditional and the modified (case 3) solar stills, respectively.

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Modeling and performance evaluation of parabolic trough solar collector desalination system

Cited by 16 publications

References 6 publications

Integration of Process Modeling, Design, and Optimization with an Experimental Study of a Solar-Driven Humidification and Dehumidification Desalination System

Integration of Process Modeling, Design, and Optimization with an Experimental Study of a Solar-Driven Humidification and Dehumidification Desalination System

Analysing the Material Suitability and Concentration Ratio of a Solar-Powered Parabolic trough Collector (PTC) Using Computational Fluid Dynamics

Numerical and experimental investigation of parabolic trough collector with focal evacuated tube and different working fluids integrated with single slope solar still

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