Experimental Study of a Stationary Parabolic Trough Collector with Modified Absorbers for Domestic Water Heating

Jihen Mahdhi, Fakher Hamdi, Hossein Ebadi (), Abdallah Bouabidi, Ridha Ennetta and Laura Savoldi
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Jihen Mahdhi: Mechanical Modelling, Energy & Materials, National School of Engineers, Gabes University, Zrig, Gabes 6029, Tunisia
Fakher Hamdi: Mechanical Modelling, Energy & Materials, National School of Engineers, Gabes University, Zrig, Gabes 6029, Tunisia
Hossein Ebadi: Modeling of Advanced Heat Transfer and Energy Problems Group, Dipartimento Energia “Galilo Ferraris”, Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Turin, Italy
Abdallah Bouabidi: Mechanical Modelling, Energy & Materials, National School of Engineers, Gabes University, Zrig, Gabes 6029, Tunisia
Ridha Ennetta: Mechanical Modelling, Energy & Materials, National School of Engineers, Gabes University, Zrig, Gabes 6029, Tunisia
Laura Savoldi: Modeling of Advanced Heat Transfer and Energy Problems Group, Dipartimento Energia “Galilo Ferraris”, Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Turin, Italy

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 13, 1-23

Abstract: The requirement for energy transition through the residential sector has increased research on the dissemination of solar thermal power systems in this area. Parabolic Trough Collector (PTC), as one of the matured solar technologies for thermal power generation, has shown huge potential in meeting demands for heating and domestic hot water systems. In this experimental study, several small-scale PTCs have been developed with four alternative absorber shapes: a simple cylindrical absorber, a spiral absorber, and two different configurations of a sinusoidal absorber to examine their performance under domestic application (non-evacuated and non-tracking). The study aims to analyze the applicability of such systems to be used as a water-heating source in buildings and compare the performance of the proposed configurations in terms of thermal efficiency to find the most appropriate design. The experimental results revealed that the simple shape provides a minimum average thermal efficiency of 24%, while the maximum thermal efficiency of 32% is obtained with the spiral shape. Studying various orientations of the sinusoidal shape revealed that thermal efficiencies of 30% and 20% could be achieved using the parallel and the perpendicular shapes, respectively. Finally, a concise economic and environmental analysis is performed to study the proposed systems as solutions for domestic water heating applications, which highlights the suitability of PTCs for integration with future sustainable buildings.

Keywords: solar water heating; PTC; thermal efficiency; absorber; spiral; sinusoidal (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: 2025
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