Analysing the Material Suitability and Concentration Ratio of a Solar-Powered Parabolic trough Collector (PTC) Using Computational Fluid Dynamics

Mohammad Akrami, Husain Alsari, Akbar A. Javadi, Mahdieh Dibaj, Raziyeh Farmani, Hassan E.S. Fath, Alaa H. Salah and Abdelazim Negm
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Mohammad Akrami: Department of Engineering, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QF, UK
Husain Alsari: Department of Engineering, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QF, UK
Akbar A. Javadi: Department of Engineering, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QF, UK
Mahdieh Dibaj: Department of Engineering, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QF, UK
Raziyeh Farmani: Department of Engineering, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QF, UK
Hassan E.S. Fath: Ex-Environmental Engineering Department, School of Energy Resources, Environment, Chemical and Petrochemical Engineering, Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology, Alexandria 21934, Egypt
Alaa H. Salah: City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications (SRTA), Alexandria 21934, Egypt
Abdelazim Negm: Water and Water structures Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 20, 1-17

Abstract: Solar-powered desalination is a sustainable solution for countries experiencing water scarcity. Several studies have presented different solutions to provide cleaner production in desalination systems. Parabolic trough collector (PTC) is one of these solutions that has proven to be superior among solar concentrators. Furthermore, a number of studies have investigated the use of PTC for distillation of saline water in response to water scarcity. In this study, a modified PTC model was developed, in which the heat exchanger was replaced by a condensation tube to reduce the energy consumption, and a black layer was introduced to the surface of the receiver to enhance its absorptance. As a reference case, the system productivity according to average solar intensities in Zagazig, located at 30°34′N 31°30′E in the North East of Egypt, is estimated. The results indicated that the maximum production rate that can be attained is 1.72 kg/h. Then, the structure of the system is evaluated with the aid of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modelling, in order to enhance its productivity. Many materials are examined and the results recognised copper as the most suitable material amongst marine grade metals (i.e., aluminium, galvanised steel and stainless steel) to construct the receiver tube. This is due to its superior thermal performance, satisfactory corrosion resistance, and acceptable cost. Afterwards, the selected receiver tube was employed to identify the optimal Concentration Ratio (CR). Consequently, a CR of 90.56 was determined to be the optimum value for Zagazig and regions with similar solar radiation. As a result, the system’s productivity was enhanced drastically, as it was estimated that a maximum production rate of 6.93 kg/h can be achieved.

Keywords: parabolic trough collector; desalination; clean production; renewable energy; sustainable; CFD; solar energy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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