Modeling, Simulation and Analysis of Tapered Receiver Utilization in Solar Cycloidal Concentrating System for Enhancement of System Efficiency

Abstract

This paper presents modeling, simulation and analysis of heat transfer and fluid flow in the tapered receiver used in solar cycloidal concentrating system which is a novel concept. The main objective of this paper is to analyze performance of solar cycloidal concentrating system by utilizing novel concept of tapered receiver for enhancement of system efficiency. This solar cycloidal concentrating system is used for testing purpose from Jan 20-April 20 in Pune city, India. The calibrated device Pyranometer is used to provide values of solar irradiance. Readings are taken daily after each one hour for the whole day. Modeling of the tapered receiver tube which is novelty of this research is done using SOLIDWORKS software. The governing equations of fluid flow and heat transfer in the system are solved by using ANSYS-CFX CFD software. The obtained results show efficiency increment and rise in temperature. Experimental results and analysis using software shows that using novel concept of tapered receiver, there is noticeable decrement in thermal losses as there is decrement in the area of receiver from inlet to outlet of receiver tube and hence increase in the efficiency is observed. The tapered receiver is designed in such a way that, the entire receiver tube of 20 feet is cut into a separate 20 pieces. Each piece is having 304.80 mm in long. Total 20 pieces are separately designed for manufacturing of taper receiver. For each piece cut of 0.9 mm from inlet to outlet is taken for OD as well as for ID using CNC machine. Tapered receiver was manufactured by using various operations which includes MS rod cutting, machining, welding, arrangement for sensor fitting at said location and end nozzles.