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Similarity analysis of parabolic-trough solar collectors

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  • Jin, Jian
  • Ling, Yunyi
  • Hao, Yong

Abstract

A new method of analyzing the thermal performance of parabolic trough collectors (PTCs) for solar thermal applications is established using similarity principle and dimensional analysis, through which different types of PTCs can be studied via a single scaled physical model. Six dimensionless numbers for the PTC are drived and are used to build a scaled PTC model. A coupled approach combining Monte-Carlo ray-tracing method with finite-element is developed to analyze the performance of PTCs. Experimental data from the literature are employed to calibrate the numerical model. Compared with the results of four typical cases of non-scaled experimental data obtained from the literature, differences in average efficiencies of the scaled-down models are within 0.75%, thereby validating the scaled model and similarity method for analyzing PTCs with vastly different length scales. Effects of direct normal irradiance (DNI) and temperature difference between the receiver fluid and ambient air ΔTab on the efficiency of PTCs are further analyzed using the scaled model. The simulation results indicate that the collector efficiency increases with the augmentation of the DNI, whereas it decreases with the increase in ΔTab. The similarity analysis method provides a new perspective for solar-thermal research by demonstrating the possibility of performing experiments on PTC on a much-reduced length scales.

Suggested Citation

  • Jin, Jian & Ling, Yunyi & Hao, Yong, 2017. "Similarity analysis of parabolic-trough solar collectors," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 204(C), pages 958-965.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:204:y:2017:i:c:p:958-965
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.04.065
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    5. Chang, Chun & Sciacovelli, Adriano & Wu, Zhiyong & Li, Xin & Li, Yongliang & Zhao, Mingzhi & Deng, Jie & Wang, Zhifeng & Ding, Yulong, 2018. "Enhanced heat transfer in a parabolic trough solar receiver by inserting rods and using molten salt as heat transfer fluid," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 220(C), pages 337-350.
    6. Jin, Jian & Wei, Xin & Liu, Mingkai & Yu, Yuhang & Li, Wenjia & Kong, Hui & Hao, Yong, 2018. "A solar methane reforming reactor design with enhanced efficiency," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 226(C), pages 797-807.
    7. Bellos, Evangelos & Tzivanidis, Christos & Tsimpoukis, Dimitrios, 2017. "Multi-criteria evaluation of parabolic trough collector with internally finned absorbers," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 205(C), pages 540-561.
    8. 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.
    9. Jafaryar, M. & Sheikholeslami, M., 2022. "Efficacy of turbulator on performance of parabolic solar collector with using hybrid nanomaterial applying numerical method," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 198(C), pages 534-548.

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