Improving Heat Transfer in Parabolic Trough Solar Collectors by Magnetic Nanofluids

A parabolic trough solar collector(PTSC)converts solar radiation into thermal energy.However,low thermal efficiency of PTSC poses a hindrance to the deployment of solar thermal power plants.Thermal performance of PTSC is enhanced in this study by incorporating magnetic nanoparticles into the working fluid.The circular receiver pipe,with dimensions of 66 mm diameter,2 mm thickness,and 24 m length,is exposed to uniform temperature and velocity conditions.The working fluid,Therminol-66,is supplemented with Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles at concentrations ranging from 1%to 4%.The findings demonstrate that the inclusion of nanoparticles increases the convective heat transfer coefficient(HTC)of the PTSC,with higher nanoparticle volume fractions leading to greater heat transfer but increased pressure drop.The thermal enhancement factor(TEF)of the PTSC is positively affected by the volume fraction of nanoparticles,both with and without a magnetic field.Notably,the scenario with a 4%nanoparticle volume fraction and a magnetic field strength of 250 G exhibits the highest TEF,indicating superior thermal performance.These findings offer potential avenues for improving the efficiency of PTSCs in solar thermal plants by introducing magnetic nanoparticles into the working fluid.

Investigative Review of Design Techniques of Parabolic Trough Solar Collectors

Parabolic trough solar collectors(PTCs)are among the most cost-efficient solar thermal technologies.They have several applications,such as feed heaters,boilers,steam generators,and electricity generators.A PTC is a concentrated solar power system that uses parabolic reflectors to focus sunlight onto a tube filled with heattransfer fluid.PTCs performance can be investigated using optical and thermal mathematical models.These models calculate the amount of energy entering the receiver,the amount of usable collected energy,and the amount of heat loss due to convection and radiation.There are several methods and configurations that have been developed so far;however,it is usually difficult for a designer to choose the appropriate method or configuration for his application.The present work investigates different PTC configurations and methods of solution,compares their efficiency and accuracy,summarizes their key behaviors and trends,and improves the available methods by maximizing the positives and minimizing the negatives among them.We investigated three methods and seven configurations.The findings suggest that optimizing the collector structure,tracking system,and reflector can lead to high PTC performance and reduced capital costs.After investigating and comparing the recent mathematical models,the study identified a clear deficiency in estimating the output temperature.Three PTC’s solution methods are investigated,and a novel method is developed to give more accurate estimations of the output temperature.

Life cycle cost analysis of new FRP based solar parabolic trough collector hot water generation system

Parabolic trough collectors （PTCs） are employed for a variety of applications including steam generation and hot water generation. This paper deals with the experimental results and an economic analysis of a new fibre reinforced plastic （FRP） based solar PTC with an embedded electronic controlled tracking system designed and developed for hot water generation in a restaurant in Madurai, India. The new collector performance has been tested according to ASHRAE Standard 93 （1986）. The performance of a new PTC hot water generation system with a well mixed hot water storage tank is investigated by a series of extensive tests over ten months period. The average maximum storage tank water temperature observed was 74.91℃, when no energy is withdrawn from the tank to the load during the collection period. The total cost of the new economic FRP based solar PTC for hot water generation with an embedded electronic controlled tracking system is Rs. 25000 （US$ 573） only. In the present work, life cycle savings （LCS） method is employed for a detailed economic analysis of the PTC system. A computer program is used as a tool for the economic analysis. The present worth of life cycle solar savings is evaluated for the new solar PTC hot water generation system that replaces an existing electric water heating system in the restaurant and attains a value of Rs. 23171.66 after 15 years, which is a significant saving. The LCS method and the MATLAB computer simulation program presented in this paper can be used to estimate the LCS of other renewable energy systems.

Thermal Analysis and Experimental Validation of Parabolic Trough Collector for Solar Adsorption Refrigerator

This work presents an algorithm able to simulate the heating of a solar collector throughout the day. The discussed collector is part of a solar adsorption refrigerator, and is used to regenerate the activated carbon contained inside a cylindrical recipient (absorber), which is located in the focal line of a parabolic trough concentrator. The developed algorithm takes into account all the transfer mechanisms when analyzing the heat transfers taking place between the collector’s components and the environment, as well as the transfer mechanisms towards the absorber’s interior. The temperature evolution for the collector’s elements is obtained, and the model is validated by comparing the experimentally measured surface temperature of the absorber with the one determined by the algorithm. The experimental data were gathered from similar collectors in two different scenarios: Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) and Buenos Aires (Argentina). The model is satisfactorily validated with experimental data.

Design and Analysis of Parabolic Trough Solar Water Heating System

Renewable energy technology is one of the prospective sources which can meet the energy demand and can contribute to achieve sustainable development goals.Concentrated collectors are widely used in solar thermal power generation and water heating system also.It is very popular due to its high thermal efficiency,simple construction requirements and low manufacturing cost.This paper is concerned with an experimental study of parabolic trough collector for water heating technology.It focuses on the performance of concentrating solar collector by changing the reflector materials(aluminum sheet,aluminum foil and mirror film).In Bangladesh,it is possible to use low cost solar concentrating technologies for domestic as well as industrial process heat applications.The line focusing parabolic trough collectors have been designed,developed and evaluated its performance by collecting solar radiation,inlet and outlet water temperature,flow rate,efficiency etc.

Study of a Parabolic Trough Adequate for the CERER Site （Dakar-Senegal）

This study presents the modeling of a parabolic trough solar collector. The main objective is to show the influences of the parabolic trough sensor effective efficiency （concentrator optical efflciencies of transmission, reflection, geometrical and the receiver absorption coefficient）, of its length, of the mass flow rate on temperatures distributions of the heat fluid and the receiver and on thermal global efficiency （solar conversion efficiency into energy usable）. The atmospheric parameters are those of Senegal in April. A prototype existing in the CERER （Center of Studies and Research on Renewable Energies） （Dakar-Senegal） is given as example of application.

计及AA-CAES与PTC集成的综合能源系统运行优化与性能分析

为进一步发挥综合能源系统的多能互补优势,提出一种计及先进绝热压缩空气储能(AA-CAES)与槽式太阳能集热器(PTC)集成的综合能源系统(IES-PTC-CAES)优化运行策略。首先,对AA-CAES、PTC以及系统中其他设备进行分析并建立相应模型;进而以经济性、环保性和能效性为优化目标,以设备运行的关键参数为优化变量,基于分时电价建立了协同优化策略,并通过K-means算法将模拟出的典型年负荷聚类为典型日负荷;最终,使用并行式的遗传算法对系统进行寻优,得到不同目标下IES-PTC-CAES的最优运行策略。结果表明:与参考系统相比,IES-PTC-CAES系统经济目标下总成本降低了14.61万元,环保目标下二氧化碳排放量减少了6194.38 kg。

Comprehensive Review of Line-Focus Concentrating Solar Thermal Technologies: Parabolic Trough Collector (PTC) vs Linear Fresnel Reflector (LFR)

In the present review,parabolic trough collector(PTC)and linear Fresnel reflector(LFR)are comprehensively and comparatively reviewed in terms of historical background,technological features,recent advancement,economic analysis and application areas.It is found that although PTC and LFR are both classified as mainstream line-focus concentrating solar thermal(CST)technologies,they are now standing at different stages of development and facing their individual opportunities and challenges.For PTC,the development is commercially mature with steady and reliable performance;therefore,extension of application is the main future demand.For LFR,the development is still in rapid progress to commercial maturity,yet indicating very promising potentials with high flexibility in novel designs and remarkable reduction in capital and operational costs.The question,which has to be answered in order to estimate the future perspectives of these two line-focus CST technologies,becomes which of these characteristics carries more weight or how to reach an optimal trade-off between them.

Design and performance investigation of modified dual reflector parabolic trough collector with double planar mirrors

In a typical parabolic trough collector(PTC), sunlight is concentrated at the bottom of the absorber tube. This concentrated solar flux leads to uneven heat distribution, resulting in high local temperatures and significant thermal stress on the absorber tube.These limitations have restricted the application of PTCs in solar thermochemistry and other fields and have impacted their safe operation. In this study, a new PTC with dual planar mirrors(DPMS) is proposed to homogenize the circumferential solar flux distribution of the absorber tube. A design method and single-objective optimization of the new PTC with a DPMS are proposed,and an uncertainty analysis of the operational and structural parameters is performed. A coupled light-heat-structure numerical model was developed to study the heat transfer performance and structural mechanical properties. The thermodynamic properties of the PTC with DPMS under different boundary conditions were analyzed. The results show that the circumferential temperature difference of the new PTC is within 2.6 K, and the circumferential thermal deformation is within 0.9 mm under typical working conditions(the inlet velocity of the heat transfer fluid is 3 m/s, inlet temperature is 573.15 K, and the direct normal irradiance is 1000 W/m^(2)). Compared with conventional PTCs, the circumferential temperature difference is reduced by 74%–90%, and the maximum thermal deformation along the y-axis is reduced by more than 95% under all working conditions(1–5 m/s, 373.5–675.15 K, 200–1000 W/m^(2)). The new PTC maintains the uniformity of the circumferential solar flux distribution for different operating parameters(sun incident angle of 0°–3°) and installation errors(±3 mm), is suitable for solar energy applications in various fields, and has the potential for large-scale applications.

A design method and numerical study for a new type parabolic trough solar collector with uniform solar flux distribution

The non-uniform concentrated solar flux distribution on the outer surface of the absorber tube can lead to large circumferential temperature difference and high local temperature of the absorber tube wall,which is one of the primary causes of parabolic trough solar receiver(PTR)failures.In this paper,a secondary reflector used as a homogenizing reflector(HR)in a conventional parabolic trough solar collector(PTSC)was recommended to homogenize the solar flux distribution and thus increase the reliability of the PTR.The design method of this new type PTSC with a HR was also proposed.Meanwhile,the concentrated solar flux distribution was calculated by adopting the Monte Carlo ray-trace(MCRT)method.Then,the coupled heat transfer process within the PTR was simulated by treating the solar flux calculated by the MCRT method as the heat flux boundary condition for the finite volume method model.The solar flux distribution on the outer surface of the absorber tube,the temperature field of the absorber tube wall,and the collector efficiency were analyzed in detail.It was revealed that the absorber tube could almost be heated uniformly in the PTSC with a HR.As a result,the circumferential temperature difference and the maximum temperature could be reduced significantly,while the efficiency tended to decrease slightly due to the inevitably increased optical loss.Under the conditions studied in this paper,although the collector efficiency decreased by about 4%,the circumferential temperature difference was reduced from about 25 to 3 K and the maximum temperature was reduced from667 to 661 K.

Experimental investigation on a parabolic trough solar collector for thermal power generation

Developing solar thermal power technology in an effective manner is a great challenge in China.In this paper an experiment platform of a parabolic trough solar collector system(PTCS) was developed for thermal power generation,and the performance of the PTCS was experimentally investigated with synthetic oil as the circulate heat transfer fluid(HTF).The solar collector's efficiency with the variation of the solar flux and the flow rate of the HTF was identified.The collector efficiency of the PTCS can be in the range of 40%-60%.It was also found that there existed a specified delay for the temperature of the HTF to response to the solar flux,which played a significant role in designing the PTCS.The heat loss effect on collector efficiency was also studied,which was about 220 W/m for the receiver with a 180°C temperature difference between the collector temperature and the ambient temperature,amounting to about 10% of the total solar energy incident on the collector.The encouraging results can provide fundamental data for developing the parabolic trough solar thermal power plant in China.

Characteristics of the transient thermal load and deformation of the evacuated receiver in solar parabolic trough collector

As a core element in solar parabolic trough collector, the evaluated receiver often runs under severe thermal conditions. Worse still, the transient thermal load is more likely to cause structural deformation and damage. This work develops an efficient transient multi-level multi-dimensional(M2) analysis method to address photo-thermal-elastic problems, thereby estimating transient thermal load and deformation for the receiver:(i) one-dimensional(1-D) thermo-hydraulic model is adopted to determine the transient thermo-hydraulic state,(ii) 3-D finite volume method(FVM) model for the receiver tube is established to obtain the real-time temperature distribution,(iii) 3-D finite element method(FEM) model is employed to make thermoelastic analysis. Based on this M2 method, the typical transient cases are conducted in cold-start, disturbed-operation and regulatedprocess. Three indicators(average temperature of the wall(ATW), radial temperature difference(RTD), circumferential temperature difference(CTD)) are defined for overall analysis of the receiver thermal load. It is found that in the transient process,receivers face response delay and endure significant thermal load fluctuation. The response time for a single HCE(heat collecting element) under lower mass flow rate(1.5 kg s-1) could sustain 280 s. During the cold-start stage(DNI=200 W m-2 to 800 W m-2), the maximum value of CTD in receiver is as high as 11.67℃, corresponding to a maximum deflection of 1.05 cm.When the mass flow rate decreases sharply by 80%, the CTD reaches 33.04℃, causing a 2.06-cm deflection. It should be pointed out that in the cold-start stage and the lower mass flow rate operation for solar parabolic trough collector, alleviating the transient thermal load and deformation is of importance for safely and efficiently running evaluated receiver.

Selective Absorber Coatings and Technological Advancements in Performance Enhancement for Parabolic Trough Solar Collector

Parabolic trough solar collector systems are the most advanced concentrating solar power technology for large-scale power generation purposes. The current work reviews various selective coating materials and their characteristics for different designs in concentrating solar power. Solar selective absorbing coatings collect solar radiation and convert it to heat. To promote higher efficiency and lower energy costs at higher temperatures requires, this study aims to analyse the fundamental chemistry and thermal stability of some key coatings currently being used and even under investigation to find reasons for differences, information gaps and potential for improvement in results. In recent years, several novel and useful solar absorber coatings have been developed. However, qualification test methods such as corrosion resistance, thermal stability testing and prediction of service life, which have essential technical value for large-scale solar absorbers, are lacking. Coatings are used to enhance the performance of reflectors and absorbers in terms of quality, efficiency, maintenance and cost. Differentiated coatings are required as there are no uniformly perfect materials in various applications, working conditions and material variations. Much more knowledge of the physical and chemical properties and durability of the coatings is required, which will help prevent failures that could not be discovered previously.

Performance Evaluation of Short Parabolic Trough Collectors Integrated with a Small-Scale Solar Power and Heating System

An investigation is presented on the performance of a small-scale solar power and heating system with short parabolic trough collectors(PTCs). The steady-state model of the short PTCs is evaluated with outside experiments. The model mainly contains the heat loss of the receiver, the peak optical efficiency and the incident angle factor consisting of incident angle modifier and end loss. It is found that the end loss effect is essential in this model when the length of the PTCs is less than 48 m, especially in the winter. The standard deviation of the steady-state model is 1.4%. Moreover, the potential energy efficiency ratio of the solar power and heating system is considerably larger than the coefficient of performance(COP) of general air-source heat pumps, and increases with the decrease of the condensation temperature. An overall system efficiency of 49% can be reached. Lastly,the existence of a water storage tank improves the flexibility of heating the building, and the volume of the water storage tank decreases with the increase of the heating water temperature.

基于BP神经网络的PTC工质出口温度研究

在槽式抛物面太阳集热器的热性能研究中,数据往往具有随机性、非线性和不确定性等特点,采用传统建模方法经常做出大量假设,导致仿真精度不高且复杂。以槽式抛物面太阳集热器为研究对象,将传统理论模型与BP人工神经网络相互耦合,通过集热器热性能室外动态试验,建立工质出口温度的神经网络预测校正模型。引入Levenberg-Marquardt(LM)法对BP神经网络的权值及阈值进行优化。分析结果表明,预测校正模型可将绝对误差控制在3.8℃以内,相对误差保持在3.6%以内,可有效提高槽式抛物面太阳集热器热性能的仿真模型计算精度。

Parabolic Trough Collector and Central Receiver Coupled with Fresnel Lens:Experimental Tests

Renewable energies have a high impact on power energy production and reduction of environmental pollution worldwide,so high efforts have been made to improve renewable technologies and research about them.This paper presents the thermal performance results obtained by simulation and experimental tests of a parabolic trough collector with central receiver coupled to Fresnel lens,under different configurations on the pipe.The simulation method was computational fluid dynamics(CFD)analysis in SolidWorks(R)soft-ware tool,which works with Naiver-Stokes equations to converge on a solution.Experimental tests were formed with all configurations proposed and three observations for each one,a total of 12 observations were performed in all research.As a result,the best thermal performance in simulation was achieved with the Fresnel lens and black pipe collector,with a maximum temperature of 116℃under 1000 W/m^2 radiation,the same system achieved in experimental tests a maximum temperature of 96℃with a radiation of 983 W/m^2.

Enhancing Thermal Performance of a Parabolic Trough Collector with Inserting Longitudinal Fins in the Down Half of the Receiver Tube

Heat transfer in a finned absorber of a parabolic trough collector was studied numerically. The main aim of this work was to study the effect of attached fins on the enhancement of the thermal performance of a parabolic trough collector. The values of the fin's length varied from 0 to 20 mm;their thicknesses varied from 0 to 8 mm and their number was 5. The parameters used in the current study are: the thermal and dynamic field,friction coefficient, Nusselt number, the thermal efficiency and thermal enhancement index. Obtained results show that inclusion of fins to the lower half of the absorber tube can enhance the heat transfer between the absorber tube and working fluid. The increase of the fin*s length increases the friction factor, Nusselt number and thermal efficiency, and the increase of fin's thickness also increases the previous parameters. Starting the value 6 mm of thickness, its effect remains the same, but thickness is less effective than length. The values 15 mm of length and 6 mm of thickness are selected as optimal values. Results show that the inclusion of the fins enhances the thermal performance of the parabolic collector by 8.45%.

Modelling and analysis of an 80-MW parabolic trough concentrated solar power plant in Sudan

Concentrated solar power plants can play a significant role in alleviating Sudan’s energy crisis.These plants can be established and implemented in Sudan,as their potential is considerably high due to the climate conditions in Sudan.This study investigates the design of a parabolic trough concentrated solar power plant in Sudan and analyzes its technical and economic feasibility.The simulation of the plant’s model used System Advisor Model(SAM)software.To determine the best location for the construction of the plant,data from 15 cities in Sudan were compared with each other based on their solar radiation and land properties.Wadi Halfa,a city in the northern region of Sudan,was chosen as the location due to its good topographical properties and climate conditions.The results show that the proposed plant can generate 281.145 GWh of electricity annually with a capacity factor of 40.1%and an overall efficiency of 15%.Additionally,a simple cost analysis of the plant indicates a levelized cost of electricity of 0.155$/kWh.As the study results are consistent with the characteristics of similar plants,the proposed plant is considered technically and economically feasible under the conditions at its location.

抛物槽式真空管太阳能集热器强化相变蓄热的模拟研究

为了提高抛物槽式真空管太阳能集热器相变材料导热性能,设计了一种相变材料埋置金属泡沫与半圆管型强化换热结构相结合的真空管太阳能集热器,利用FLUENT软件对其蓄热过程中的传热进行了数值模拟,分析了热流密度分布非均匀的情况下在相变材料中集成翅片和金属泡沫对相变材料液态分数的影响.

抛物面槽式太阳能集热器球形接头测试系统的研制与应用

球形接头是抛物面槽式太阳能集热器的关键部件,针对球形接头易发生运转卡涩和导热油泄漏问题,研制了一套球形接头性能测试系统。该测试系统可以实现球形接头在旋转、摆转或旋摆联动模式下,以及在导热油温度达393℃和压力达4.1 MPa工况条件下的加速寿命测试。以导热油为传热流体,开展了球形接头在导热油温度为393℃和压力为2.3 MPa工况条件,以及温度、压力变化条件下的性能测试研究,分析了球形接头在模拟12年寿命期的扭矩特性和密封性能,验证了该测试系统运行的稳定性和可靠性,并且关键技术参数的控制精度和测量精度满足使用要求,为球形接头的性能评价提供了技术支撑。