Effects of Relative Humidity and Wind Speed on a Parabolic Trough Collector (Model TE 38) in Bauchi, Nigeria

Abstract

One of the challenges facing development in Nigeria is the lack of adequate energy supply. Solar energy is one of the renewable sources that have high potentials to accelerate development especially in the northern part of Nigeria like Bauchi. One of the proven solar energy collectors is the parabolic trough collector system which can be utilized for thermal steam generation. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of relative humidity and wind speed on the performance of parabolic trough collector system (Model TE38) in Bauchi. The relative humidity and wind speed were observed using the metrological facilities within Bauchi State. Daily record of temperatures of the enveloping glass-cover, the fluid and the receiver tube of the parabolic trough collector were monitored. The values obtained were used to calculate the hourly thermal efficiency of the solar parabolic-trough collector. It was discovered that, the higher the temperature of the absorber-tube, the higher was the radiative heat-loss which also affects the efficiency. The collector efficiency increased with time up to a maximum of 96.41% at 13:00 hours, thereafter, the efficiency starts decreasing with time to a minimum of 93.68% at 16:00 hours, within the period under review. The parabolic trough collector system was found viable for solar energy utilization since the effect of relative humidity and wind speed was minimal.