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

Kai Zhao, Hongguang Jin, Zhongrui Gai and Hui Hong

Applied Energy, 2022, vol. 309, issue C, No S0306261921017232

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.

Keywords: Concentrated solar power (CSP); Parabolic trough collector (PTC); Multiple solar selective-absorbing coatings; Thermal efficiency (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (12)

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DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.118508

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