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Numerical investigation and optimization of an experimentally analyzed solar CPC

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  • Korres, D.N.
  • Tzivanidis, C.

Abstract

In this study a compound parabolic collector (CPC) taken from literature was investigated optically and thermally through simulation. The collector was tested at different transversal and the longitudinal incident angles and the results showed us a total agreement between the present and the previous study where TracePro software was used. In addition, a new optical efficiency relationship was proposed and it was found that diverges significantly from the commonly used relationship as the reflector's shape losses and/or the absorber's diameter increase. Also, the CFD analysis results were validated from the previous study experimental data (4.2% mean divergence in thermal efficiency), something that reveals how sufficiently the real problem has been approached. Finally, an optimization process was followed in order to improve the collector's optical performance, while the novel CPC resulted from the optimization was compared with the initial design for the typical conditions of the 11th of June in Athens from 08:00 to 16:00, in order to examine the effect of different solar irradiation intensities in the comparison process. It was revealed that the novel design exceeds the initial one in all the examined hours. The design and the simulation of the collector were conducted via Solidworks Flow Simulation software.

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  • Korres, D.N. & Tzivanidis, C., 2019. "Numerical investigation and optimization of an experimentally analyzed solar CPC," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 172(C), pages 57-67.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:172:y:2019:i:c:p:57-67
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2019.01.119
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    Cited by:

    1. Dimitrios N. Korres & Evangelos Bellos & Christos Tzivanidis, 2022. "Integration of a Linear Cavity Receiver in an Asymmetric Compound Parabolic Collector," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-19, November.
    2. Zhang, Xueyan & Jiang, Shuoxun & Lin, Ziming & Gui, Qinghua & Chen, Fei, 2023. "Model construction and performance analysis for asymmetric compound parabolic concentrator with circular absorber," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 267(C).
    3. Xu, Jintao & Chen, Fei & Xia, Entong & Gao, Chong & Deng, Chenggang, 2020. "An optimization design method and optical performance analysis on multi-sectioned compound parabolic concentrator with cylindrical absorber," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 197(C).
    4. Xia, En-Tong & Xu, Jin-Tao & Chen, Fei, 2021. "Investigation on structural and optical characteristics for an improved compound parabolic concentrator based on cylindrical absorber," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 219(C).
    5. Li, Yongcai & Jiao, Feng & Chen, Fei & Zhang, Zhenhua, 2021. "Design optimization and optical performance analysis on multi-sectioned compound parabolic concentrator with plane absorber," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 168(C), pages 913-926.
    6. Korres, Dimitrios N. & Tzivanidis, Christos, 2022. "A novel asymmetric compound parabolic collector under experimental and numerical investigation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 199(C), pages 1580-1592.
    7. Xiao, Liye & Zheng, Canyang & Shi, Kuang & Chen, Fei, 2023. "Model construction and performance research of the optimized compound parabolic concentrator based on critical truncation and multi-section congruent," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 217(C).
    8. Zhang, Xueyan & Wang, Xin & Li, Zhongzhe & Luo, Huilong & Chen, Fei, 2023. "Surface construction and optical performance analysis of compound parabolic concentrator with concentrating surface separated from absorber," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).
    9. Huang, Baofeng & Wang, Yeqing & Lu, Wensheng & Cheng, Meng, 2022. "Fabrication and energy efficiency of translucent concrete panel for building envelope," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 248(C).
    10. Chen, Fei & Gui, Qinghua, 2022. "Construction and analysis of a compound parabolic concentrator to eliminate light escape in the interlayer of solar vacuum tube," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 191(C), pages 225-237.

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