IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/appene/v115y2014icp559-572.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Comparative and sensitive analysis for parabolic trough solar collectors with a detailed Monte Carlo ray-tracing optical model

Author

Listed:
  • Cheng, Z.D.
  • He, Y.L.
  • Cui, F.Q.
  • Du, B.C.
  • Zheng, Z.J.
  • Xu, Y.

Abstract

This paper presents the numerical results of the comparative and sensitive analysis for different parabolic trough solar collector (PTC) systems under different operating conditions, expecting to optimize the PTC system of better comprehensive characteristics and optical performance or to evaluate the accuracy required for future constructions. A more detailed optical model was developed from a previously proposed unified Monte Carlo ray-tracing (MCRT) model. Numerical results were compared with the reference data and good agreements were obtained, proving that the model and the numerical results are reliable. Then the comparative and sensitive analyses for different PTC systems or different geometric parameters under different possible operating conditions were carried out by this detailed optical model. From the numerical results it is revealed that the ideal comprehensive characteristics and optical performance of the PTC systems are very different from some critical points determined by the divergence phenomenon of the non-parallel solar beam, which can also be well explained by the theoretical analysis results. For different operating conditions, the PTC systems of different geometric parameters have different levels of sensitivity to different optical errors, but the optical accuracy requirements from different geometric parameters of the whole PTC system are always consistent.

Suggested Citation

  • Cheng, Z.D. & He, Y.L. & Cui, F.Q. & Du, B.C. & Zheng, Z.J. & Xu, Y., 2014. "Comparative and sensitive analysis for parabolic trough solar collectors with a detailed Monte Carlo ray-tracing optical model," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 115(C), pages 559-572.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:115:y:2014:i:c:p:559-572
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2013.11.001
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306261913008933
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.apenergy.2013.11.001?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    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.
    2. Cui, F.Q. & He, Y.L. & Cheng, Z.D. & Li, D. & Tao, Y.B., 2012. "Numerical simulations of the solar transmission process for a pressurized volumetric receiver," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 46(1), pages 618-628.
    3. Silva, R. & Pérez, M. & Fernández-Garcia, A., 2013. "Modeling and co-simulation of a parabolic trough solar plant for industrial process heat," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 287-300.
    4. Naeeni, N. & Yaghoubi, M., 2007. "Analysis of wind flow around a parabolic collector (1) fluid flow," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 32(11), pages 1898-1916.
    5. Fernández-García, A. & Zarza, E. & Valenzuela, L. & Pérez, M., 2010. "Parabolic-trough solar collectors and their applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 14(7), pages 1695-1721, September.
    6. Wang, P. & Liu, D.Y. & Xu, C., 2013. "Numerical study of heat transfer enhancement in the receiver tube of direct steam generation with parabolic trough by inserting metal foams," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 449-460.
    7. Kalogirou, Soteris A., 2012. "A detailed thermal model of a parabolic trough collector receiver," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 48(1), pages 298-306.
    8. 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.
    9. Manzolini, Giampaolo & Giostri, Andrea & Saccilotto, Claudio & Silva, Paolo & Macchi, Ennio, 2011. "Development of an innovative code for the design of thermodynamic solar power plants part A: Code description and test case," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(7), pages 1993-2003.
    10. He, Y.L. & Cheng, Z.D. & Cui, F.Q. & Li, Z.Y. & Li, D., 2012. "Numerical investigations on a pressurized volumetric receiver: Solar concentrating and collecting modelling," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 368-379.
    11. 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.
    12. Naeeni, N. & Yaghoubi, M., 2007. "Analysis of wind flow around a parabolic collector (2) heat transfer from receiver tube," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 32(8), pages 1259-1272.
    13. Y. Aldali & T. Muneer & D. Henderson, 2011. "Solar absorber tube analysis: thermal simulation using CFD," International Journal of Low-Carbon Technologies, Oxford University Press, vol. 8(1), pages 14-19, October.
    14. Tian, Y. & Zhao, C.Y., 2013. "A review of solar collectors and thermal energy storage in solar thermal applications," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 538-553.
    15. Huang, Weidong & Huang, Farong & Hu, Peng & Chen, Zeshao, 2013. "Prediction and optimization of the performance of parabolic solar dish concentrator with sphere receiver using analytical function," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 18-26.
    16. Cheng, Z.D. & He, Y.L. & Cui, F.Q., 2013. "A new modelling method and unified code with MCRT for concentrating solar collectors and its applications," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 686-698.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Yılmaz, İbrahim Halil & Mwesigye, Aggrey, 2018. "Modeling, simulation and performance analysis of parabolic trough solar collectors: A comprehensive review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 225(C), pages 135-174.
    2. Huang, Zhen & Li, Zeng-Yao & Tao, Wen-Quan, 2017. "Numerical study on combined natural and forced convection in the fully-developed turbulent region for a horizontal circular tube heated by non-uniform heat flux," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(P2), pages 2194-2208.
    3. Cheng, Ze-Dong & He, Ya-Ling & Qiu, Yu, 2015. "A detailed nonuniform thermal model of a parabolic trough solar receiver with two halves and two inactive ends," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 139-147.
    4. Hachicha, Ahmed Amine & Yousef, Bashria A.A. & Said, Zafar & Rodríguez, Ivette, 2019. "A review study on the modeling of high-temperature solar thermal collector systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 280-298.
    5. Cheng, Ze-Dong & Zhao, Xue-Ru & He, Ya-Ling, 2018. "Novel optical efficiency formulas for parabolic trough solar collectors: Computing method and applications," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 224(C), pages 682-697.
    6. Sandá, Antonio & Moya, Sara L. & Valenzuela, Loreto, 2019. "Modelling and simulation tools for direct steam generation in parabolic-trough solar collectors: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 1-1.
    7. Abdulhamed, Ali Jaber & Adam, Nor Mariah & Ab-Kadir, Mohd Zainal Abidin & Hairuddin, Abdul Aziz, 2018. "Review of solar parabolic-trough collector geometrical and thermal analyses, performance, and applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 822-831.
    8. Cheng, Ze-Dong & Men, Jing-Jing & He, Ya-Ling & Tao, Yu-Bing & Ma, Zhao, 2019. "Comprehensive study on novel parabolic trough solar receiver-reactors of gradually-varied porosity catalyst beds for hydrogen production," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 1766-1781.
    9. Jebasingh, V.K. & Herbert, G.M. Joselin, 2016. "A review of solar parabolic trough collector," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 1085-1091.
    10. Fan, Man & You, Shijun & Xia, Junbao & Zheng, Wandong & Zhang, Huan & Liang, Hongbo & Li, Xianli & Li, Bojia, 2018. "An optimized Monte Carlo ray tracing optical simulation model and its applications to line-focus concentrating solar collectors," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 225(C), pages 769-781.
    11. Lu, Jianfeng & Ding, Jing & Yang, Jianping & Yang, Xiaoxi, 2013. "Nonuniform heat transfer model and performance of parabolic trough solar receiver," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 666-675.
    12. Kumaresan, G. & Sudhakar, P. & Santosh, R. & Velraj, R., 2017. "Experimental and numerical studies of thermal performance enhancement in the receiver part of solar parabolic trough collectors," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 1363-1374.
    13. Cheng, Ze-Dong & Men, Jing-Jing & Liu, Shi-Cheng & He, Ya-Ling, 2019. "Three-dimensional numerical study on a novel parabolic trough solar receiver-reactor of a locally-installed Kenics static mixer for efficient hydrogen production," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 250(C), pages 131-146.
    14. Muñoz-Anton, J. & Biencinto, M. & Zarza, E. & Díez, L.E., 2014. "Theoretical basis and experimental facility for parabolic trough collectors at high temperature using gas as heat transfer fluid," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 135(C), pages 373-381.
    15. Biencinto, Mario & González, Lourdes & Valenzuela, Loreto, 2016. "A quasi-dynamic simulation model for direct steam generation in parabolic troughs using TRNSYS," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 161(C), pages 133-142.
    16. Salgado Conrado, L. & Rodriguez-Pulido, A. & Calderón, G., 2017. "Thermal performance of parabolic trough solar collectors," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 1345-1359.
    17. Zou, Bin & Jiang, Yiqiang & Yao, Yang & Yang, Hongxing, 2019. "Impacts of non-ideal optical factors on the performance of parabolic trough solar collectors," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 183(C), pages 1150-1165.
    18. Cheng, Ze-Dong & He, Ya-Ling & Du, Bao-Cun & Wang, Kun & Liang, Qi, 2015. "Geometric optimization on optical performance of parabolic trough solar collector systems using particle swarm optimization algorithm," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 148(C), pages 282-293.
    19. Yang, S. & Sensoy, T.S. & Ordonez, J.C., 2018. "Dynamic 3D volume element model of a parabolic trough solar collector for simulation and optimization," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 217(C), pages 509-526.
    20. Ajbar, Wassila & Parrales, A. & Huicochea, A. & Hernández, J.A., 2022. "Different ways to improve parabolic trough solar collectors’ performance over the last four decades and their applications: A comprehensive review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:115:y:2014:i:c:p:559-572. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/405891/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.