Investigation of the Effect of Physical and Optical Factors on the Optical Performance of a Parabolic Trough Collector

Majedul Islam, Sarah Miller, Prasad Yarlagadda and Azharul Karim
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Majedul Islam: Science and Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane CBD, QLD 4001, Australia
Sarah Miller: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIRO), 10 Murray Dwyer Circuit, Mayfield West, NSW 2304, Australia
Prasad Yarlagadda: Science and Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane CBD, QLD 4001, Australia
Azharul Karim: Science and Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane CBD, QLD 4001, Australia

Energies, 2017, vol. 10, issue 11, 1-19

Abstract: The overall thermal performance of a Parabolic Trough Collector (PTC) depends on its optical performance, particularly the uniformity of the irradiance distribution and the resultant optical efficiency of the collector. Local Concentration Ratio (LCR), optical efficiency and average light concentration are three fundamental parameters of the optical performance of a PTC. These parameters are affected by various optical and physical factors. The effects of these individual factors on the performance parameters were investigated in this study using a verified Monte Carlo ray tracing optical simulation model. The investigation revealed that all three performance parameters are directly related to the optical properties of the collector components. The values decreased gradually with the increase of focal length of the mirror. Uniformity of the LCR profile was observed to decrease with increasing rim angle and geometric concentration. Defocus dislocation of the receiver was found to improve the uniformity of the LCR distribution by decreasing its peak concentrations, C max . Off-focus dislocation of the receiver, and inward angular deviation of the mirror profile were observed to increase the C max and decrease the uniformity of the LCR distribition. Out-focus dislocation of the receiver and solar tracking error distort the bi-symmetry of a normal LCR profile.

Keywords: parabolic trough collector; concentrating solar power; optical efficiency; collector performance; uniformity of irradiance distribution (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: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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