IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/renene/v157y2020icp888-896.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Evaluating the solar flux distribution uniformity factor for parabolic trough collectors

Author

Listed:
  • Rehman, Naveed ur
  • Uzair, Muhammad
  • Asif, Muhammad

Abstract

In a parabolic trough collector (PTC), the varying solar flux distribution at the receiver’s surface causes high temperature gradients, which are harmful to the material. The existing studies have used only a visual approach to depict the homogenization of solar flux, which is subjective rather than quantitative. This paper presents a method for quantifying the uniformity of flux distribution as a single numerical factor (μ), that can be applied to any PTC design. The approach, based on ray tracing, was used to determine the locations on a receiver surface where the incoming rays are captured. Validation was performed by comparing the ray tracing of a single ray with measurements obtained in a 2D drafting program. Then, taking a PTC with a concentration ratio C=10, the model was simulated for various rim angles (ψ). The relationship between the visual flux distribution and μ is discussed. The values of μ for several real PTC designs were then evaluated and compared. A useful visual tool is also presented for obtaining and comparing μ for a range of concentration ratios and rim angles. An online tool was also developed to help researchers to quickly calculate the μ value for their PTC designs.

Suggested Citation

  • Rehman, Naveed ur & Uzair, Muhammad & Asif, Muhammad, 2020. "Evaluating the solar flux distribution uniformity factor for parabolic trough collectors," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 157(C), pages 888-896.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:157:y:2020:i:c:p:888-896
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2020.05.058
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960148120307564
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.renene.2020.05.058?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. 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.
    2. Rehman, Naveed ur & Uzair, Muhammad & Allauddin, Usman, 2020. "An optical-energy model for optimizing the geometrical layout of solar photovoltaic arrays in a constrained field," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 55-65.
    3. Mwesigye, Aggrey & Meyer, Josua P., 2017. "Optimal thermal and thermodynamic performance of a solar parabolic trough receiver with different nanofluids and at different concentration ratios," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 193(C), pages 393-413.
    4. 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.
    5. 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.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Ou, Gen & Liu, Peng & Liu, Zhichun & Liu, Wei, 2022. "Performance analyses and heat transfer optimization of parabolic trough receiver with a novel single conical strip insert," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 199(C), pages 335-350.
    2. Rehman, Naveed ur & Uzair, Muhammad, 2022. "Concentrator shape optimization using particle swarm optimization for solar concentrating photovoltaic applications," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 184(C), pages 1043-1054.
    3. Xiao, Hui & Liu, Peng & Liu, Zhichun & Liu, Wei, 2021. "Performance analyses in parabolic trough collectors by inserting novel inclined curved-twisted baffles," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 165(P2), pages 14-27.
    4. Reza Roohi & Amir Arya & Masoud Akbari & Mohammad Javad Amiri, 2023. "Performance Evaluation of an Absorber Tube of a Parabolic Trough Collector Fitted with Helical Screw Tape Inserts Using CuO/Industrial-Oil Nanofluid: A Computational Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-19, July.
    5. Madadi Avargani, Vahid & Norton, Brian & Rahimi, Amir, 2021. "An open-aperture partially-evacuated receiver for more uniform reflected solar flux in circular-trough reflectors: Comparative performance in air heating applications," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 176(C), pages 11-24.
    6. Tang, X.Y. & Yang, W.W. & Yang, Y. & Jiao, Y.H. & Zhang, T., 2021. "A design method for optimizing the secondary reflector of a parabolic trough solar concentrator to achieve uniform heat flux distribution," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 229(C).

    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. 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).
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. Bitam, El Wardi & Demagh, Yassine & Hachicha, Ahmed A. & Benmoussa, Hocine & Kabar, Yassine, 2018. "Numerical investigation of a novel sinusoidal tube receiver for parabolic trough technology," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 218(C), pages 494-510.
    5. Liang, Hongbo & You, Shijun & Zhang, Huan, 2015. "Comparison of different heat transfer models for parabolic trough solar collectors," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 148(C), pages 105-114.
    6. Majedul Islam & Prasad Yarlagadda & Azharul Karim, 2018. "Effect of the Orientation Schemes of the Energy Collection Element on the Optical Performance of a Parabolic Trough Concentrating Collector," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-20, December.
    7. 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.
    8. Manikandan, G.K. & Iniyan, S. & Goic, Ranko, 2019. "Enhancing the optical and thermal efficiency of a parabolic trough collector – A review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 235(C), pages 1524-1540.
    9. 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.
    10. Wang, Qiliang & Hu, Mingke & Yang, Honglun & Cao, Jingyu & Li, Jing & Su, Yuehong & Pei, Gang, 2019. "Performance evaluation and analyses of novel parabolic trough evacuated collector tubes with spectrum-selective glass envelope," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 793-804.
    11. 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.
    12. Gong, Jing-hu & Wang, Jun & Lund, Peter D. & Hu, En-yi & Xu, Zhi-cheng & Liu, Guang-peng & Li, Guo-shuai, 2020. "Improving the performance of a 2-stage large aperture parabolic trough solar concentrator using a secondary reflector designed by adaptive method," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 152(C), pages 23-33.
    13. 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.
    14. 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.
    15. 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.
    16. Liu, Shuaishuai & Yang, Bin & Hou, Yutian & Yu, Xiaohui, 2022. "Effects of geometric configurations on the thermal-mechanical properties of parabolic trough receivers based on coupled optical-thermal-stress model," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 199(C), pages 929-942.
    17. Zou, Bin & Yao, Yang & Jiang, Yiqiang & Yang, Hongxing, 2018. "A new algorithm for obtaining the critical tube diameter and intercept factor of parabolic trough solar collectors," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 451-467.
    18. 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.
    19. Gong, Jing-hu & Huang, Ji & Hu, Xiaojian & Wang, Jun & Lund, Peter D. & Gao, Caiyun, 2021. "Optimizing research on large-aperture parabolic trough condenser using two kinds of absorber tubes with reflector at 500 °C," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 2187-2197.
    20. 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.

    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:renene:v:157:y:2020:i:c:p:888-896. 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.journals.elsevier.com/renewable-energy .

    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.