An analysis of the heat loss and overheating protection of a cavity receiver with a novel movable cover for parabolic trough solar collectors

Hongbo Liang, Man Fan, Shijun You, Junbao Xia, Huan Zhang and Yaran Wang

Energy, 2018, vol. 158, issue C, 719-729

Abstract: In this research, the effects of the novel movable cover on reducing heat loss and overheating protection of a cavity receiver for parabolic trough solar collectors were studied. The heat loss tests were carried out at different inlet temperatures and mass flow rates. A three-dimensional heat transfer model was developed and validated by the test data. Effects of ambient temperature, wind speed, inlet temperature, rotation angle of the collector and on-off state of the movable cover on heat loss were investigated. The heat loss of turning off the movable cover was less than that of turning on it. The heat loss reduction rate varied from 6.36% to 13.55%. Three tests of collecting solar energy all the time (control group), overheating protection with the methods of rotating the reflector and turning off the movable cover were conducted under similar weather conditions. The results showed that both the overheating protection methods were effective. However, the method of turning off the movable cover avoided rotating the reflector and re-tracking the sun later. The presented novel movable cover improved the thermal performance of cavity receivers remarkably in a simple way.

Keywords: Cavity receiver; Movable cover; Parabolic trough solar collector; Heat loss; Overheating protection; Numerical model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (10)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:158:y:2018:i:c:p:719-729

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2018.06.059

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