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Experimental and theoretical analyses of a double-cylindrical trough solar concentrator

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Abstract

Parabolic trough, Fresnel, heliostat mirror, or dish-type collectors are used to obtain high temperature in solar thermal applications. The operation of this system is similar to that of a Fresnel collector, except for its reflective mirror, which is cylindrical and not flat. The experiments were carried out in the solar energy system manufactured for producing hot water, superheated water, and steam in the cylindrical trough solar concentrator. According to the test results, the thermal power of the system and the average thermal efficiency of the collector were a maximum of 15 kW and approximately 35 %, respectively.

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Abbreviations

Aa:

Absorber surface area (m2)

Ac:

Total aperture area (m2)

Cp:

Specific heat of fluid (kJ/kg K)

Ia :

Radiation coming to the absorbent surface (W/m2)

Id :

Direct radiation (W/m2)

ṁ :

Flow rate of the fluid (kg/s)

R:

Thermal resistance

Tin :

Water inlet temperature °C

Tout :

Water outlet temperature °C

Tp :

Absorber surface temperature °C

Tamb :

Ambient temperature °C

UT :

Total heat transfer coefficient (W/m2K)

Qu :

Thermal power (kW)

FR :

Heat gain factor

Y :

Intercept factor (0.99)

η:

Collector thermal efficiency

T:

Radiation transmission coefficient (0.88)

α:

The ratio of absorbing radiation (0.91)

ρ:

The ratio of reflection (0.83)

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Harran University, Şanlıurfa, Turkey

    Cuma Çetiner

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  1. Cuma Çetiner
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Correspondence to Cuma Çetiner.

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Cuma Çetiner finished his Ph.D. degree in Sakarya University in Turkey. He has works as an Assistant Professor at Harran University. His research interest includes solar and renewable energy.

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Çetiner, C. Experimental and theoretical analyses of a double-cylindrical trough solar concentrator. J Mech Sci Technol 34, 4857–4863 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-020-1041-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-020-1041-3

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