Experimental investigation of the wind loads on the solar parabolic trough collectors for structural stability

Abstract

Solar parabolic trough collectors consist of reflectors that concentrate the solar radiation to the absorber tube located at its focal length. The shape accuracy of the reflectors is essential for the performance of the solar parabolic trough collectors. One of the important factors affecting the shape accuracy of the reflector is the wind load acting on the surface of the reflector. Hence, the pressure distribution study over the surface of the reflector is important, which influences the shape accuracy of the reflector. In the present study, wind tunnel tests are conducted to quantify the pressure distribution for different configurations of the solar parabolic trough. The test is conducted for the reflectors at 0°, 30°, 60°, −30° and −60° pitch angles, and 0°, 30°, 60° yaw angles for the wind speed of 5 ms−1. At 0° pitch angles, the fluctuating pressures are observed at either edge of the reflector, and 30° and 60° yaw angles result in higher pressure acting over the windward face for 5 ms−1 wind speed and the maximum pressure coefficients are observed to be located around the edges of the reflector and hence the stiffness of the reflectors must be increased at the edges.