SMALL-SIZED parabolic-trough solar collectors: Development of a test loop and evaluation of testing conditions

Aránzazu Fernández-García, Loreto Valenzuela, Eduardo Zarza, Esther Rojas, Manuel Pérez, Quetzalcoatl Hernández-Escobedo and Francisco Manzano-Agugliaro

Energy, 2018, vol. 152, issue C, 401-415

Abstract: This work presents the development of a solar thermal test loop to assess the performance of small-sized parabolic-trough collectors (PTC) under real outdoor conditions, as well as the results of a set of experiments aimed at comparing the testing conditions specified in the existing standards for solar thermal collectors (EN 12975-2:2006, ASTM E905-87:2013, SRCC 600 2014-17:2015 and ISO 9806:2017). The aim is to contribute to establishing the correct certification scheme for this specific type of collectors, which owing to their suitability for covering the thermal energy demand in the temperature range between 100 and 250 °C (mainly in the field of solar heat in industrial processes) are currently experiencing significant development both in terms of commercial options and operating projects. In general, an absence of consensus among the standards was detected. According to the results obtained in the specifically designed test loop, some alterations to the existing standards are issued: for example the correct sampling rate should be 5 s, the uncertainty required for the temperature difference is too restrictive, the maximum wind velocity imposed is difficult to fulfill, and variations permitted to solar irradiance and ambient temperature could be more constrictive.

Keywords: Concentrating solar-thermal energy; Small-sized parabolic-trough collector; Industrial process heat; Thermal performance test; Test loop; Testing condition (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:152:y:2018:i:c:p:401-415

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2018.03.160

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