Evaluating the solar flux distribution uniformity factor for parabolic trough collectors

Naveed ur Rehman, Muhammad Uzair and Muhammad Asif

Renewable Energy, 2020, vol. 157, issue C, 888-896

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.

Keywords: Concentrated solar; Ray tracing; Rim angle; Flux homogeneity; Flux profiles (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:renene:v:157:y:2020:i:c:p:888-896

DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2020.05.058

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