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A thermal efficiency-enhancing strategy of parabolic trough collector systems by cascadingly applying multiple solar selective-absorbing coatings

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  • Zhao, Kai
  • Jin, Hongguang
  • Gai, Zhongrui
  • Hong, Hui

Abstract

For a long time, the pathway for enhancing solar collector thermal efficiency of solar energy converting into heat has been blocked because state-of-the-art parabolic trough collectors (PTCs) suffer low thermal efficiency from severe reradiation heat loss. Based on the nonuniformity temperature distribution in the parabolic trough collector loop, a novel strategy of cascadingly applying multiple solar selective-absorbing coatings (SSCs) in different sections of the collector loop is proposed. Two systems were considered to implement the designed strategy: an ideal system with multiple ideal SSCs with related optimal cutoff wavelengths at various temperatures; and a multi-section system with multiple practical SSC materials. By setting up a two-dimensional heat transfer model, the thermal performance of the PTC systems was analyzed. The results showed that the ideal and the multi-section system had better thermal performance than a conventional system. The heat loss of the multisection system was reduced by 29.3%, and the thermal efficiency was enhanced by 4.3% with an operating temperature of 290–550 °C. This strategy is expected to provide a new possibility for the realization of cost-effective solar energy utilization.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhao, Kai & Jin, Hongguang & Gai, Zhongrui & Hong, Hui, 2022. "A thermal efficiency-enhancing strategy of parabolic trough collector systems by cascadingly applying multiple solar selective-absorbing coatings," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 309(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:309:y:2022:i:c:s0306261921017232
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.118508
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