Experimental and finite element modeling of solar concentrators in the sugarcane bagasse drying process

Abstract

Reducing the environmental impact of residues generated by the Brazilian agroindustry can be achieved through the utilization of sugarcane bagasse, a biomass resource widely employed. However, this biomass's high moisture content results in low energy production efficiency. The conversion of sunlight into thermal energy using Concentrated Solar Energy (CSE) has emerged as an efficient alternative for the sugarcane bagasse drying process. In this study, we propose to experimentally evaluate and numerically simulate, employing the Finite Element Method (FEM) and the ABAQUS software, a solar concentrator receiver utilized in the drying process. The methodology employed comprises two modeling phases: an experimental phase, wherein two solar concentrators were constructed within a metallic structure, each with distinct surface areas and a panel of adjustable flat mirrors designed to focus solar radiation on a central point—the reactor. Experiments were conducted involving water, sugarcane bagasse, and reactor characterization. Subsequently, a numerical modeling phase was carried out, analyzing two scenarios: a stationary one and a transient one accounting for temperature variations over time. FEM simulations were conducted using the ABAQUS program. The results obtained from the experiments underscore the significance of radiation reaching the reactor as the primary factor in achieving the required efficiency for drying sugarcane bagasse. This finding was corroborated by the numerical simulations, which considered thermal gradients and thermal stress.