Experimental performance evaluation of a solar parabolic dish collector using spiral flow path receiver

Abstract

The solar receiver design plays a crucial role in the performance and efficiency of a parabolic dish solar collector. This experimental study examines a finned spiral flow path receiver in a 16 m2 parabolic dish collector to enhance heat transfer from the receiver surface to the heat transfer fluid. The solar receiver is evaluated outdoors at water flow rates of 0.04 kg/s, 0.05 kg/s, 0.06 kg/s, and 0.12 kg/s. At water flow rates of 0.04 kg/s, 0.05 kg/s, and 0.06 kg/s, the receiver's average energy efficiency was 31.27 %, 44.34 %, and 50.69 %, respectively. At water flow rates of 0.12 kg/s, the peak energy and exergy efficiency are around 65.81 % and 6.85 %, respectively. The proposed solar receiver shows an increased heat transfer coefficient from the receiver surface to the fluid with more fluid residence time due to the spiral flow path and fins. The economic evaluation demonstrates that the solar receiver with a flow rate of 0.12 kg/s produces the most significant economic outcomes compared to other selected water flow rates. The proposed solar receiver's estimated levelized cost of energy, net present value, benefit-to-cost ratio, and payback period values are 0.18 ($/kWh), 925.61 $, 8.40 and 1.62 years. Thus, the finned spiral flow path receiver with a flow rate of 0.12 kg/s produces optimal performance among the selected water flow rates. The significant results benefit the solar community in designing an effective finned solar receiver for concentrated solar collectors.