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Heat transfer analysis and numerical simulation of a parabolic trough solar collector

Author

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  • Hachicha, A.A.
  • Rodríguez, I.
  • Capdevila, R.
  • Oliva, A.

Abstract

Parabolic trough solar collector is the most proven industry-scale solar generation technology today available. The thermal performance of such devices is of major interest for optimising the solar field output and increase the efficiency of power plants. In this paper, a detailed numerical heat transfer model based on the finite volume method for these equipment is presented. In the model, the different elements of the receiver are discretised into several segments in both axial and azimuthal directions and energy balances are applied for each control volume. An optical model is also developed for calculating the non-uniform solar flux distribution around the receiver. This model is based on finite volume method and ray trace techniques and takes into account the finite size of the Sun. The solar heat flux is determined as a pre-processing task and coupled to the energy balance model as a boundary condition for the outer surface of the receiver. The set of algebraic equations are solved simultaneously using direct solvers. The model is thoroughly validated with results from the literature. First, the optical model is compared with known analytical solutions. After that, the performance of the overall model is tested against experimental measurements from Sandia National Laboratories and other un-irradiated receivers experiments. In all cases, results obtained shown a good agreement with experimental and analytical results.

Suggested Citation

  • Hachicha, A.A. & Rodríguez, I. & Capdevila, R. & Oliva, A., 2013. "Heat transfer analysis and numerical simulation of a parabolic trough solar collector," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 581-592.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:111:y:2013:i:c:p:581-592
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2013.04.067
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. He, Ya-Ling & Xiao, Jie & Cheng, Ze-Dong & Tao, Yu-Bing, 2011. "A MCRT and FVM coupled simulation method for energy conversion process in parabolic trough solar collector," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(3), pages 976-985.
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    3. Padilla, Ricardo Vasquez & Demirkaya, Gokmen & Goswami, D. Yogi & Stefanakos, Elias & Rahman, Muhammad M., 2011. "Heat transfer analysis of parabolic trough solar receiver," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(12), pages 5097-5110.
    4. Roldán, M.I. & Valenzuela, L. & Zarza, E., 2013. "Thermal analysis of solar receiver pipes with superheated steam," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 73-84.
    5. García-Cortés, Silverio & Bello-García, Antonio & Ordóñez, Celestino, 2012. "Estimating intercept factor of a parabolic solar trough collector with new supporting structure using off-the-shelf photogrammetric equipment," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 815-821.
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