Gravity & wind load analysis and optical study of solar parabolic trough collector with composite facets using optimized modelling approach

Abstract

In the present work, structural and optical analysis of 23.08 m2 (Aaperture) solar parabolic trough has been done utilizing different composite materials with an optimized modelling approach. The linear parabolic trough collector is subjected to gravity and wind loads and thereby it undergoes surface deformations. Various trough materials are structurally analysed and a hybrid composite is designed. The RMS values of local slope deviations of trough termed as SD value is calculated using Modified Element Approach to observe the behaviour of trough at various tracking positions varying from 0° to 90° orientations. The cases been discussed are trough-alone (stiff) case and full collector (elastic) case under gravity and wind loading conditions with wind speed of 15 m/s. Trough parameters like fibre orientation of laminae, stacking sequence and direction and size of reinforcement conduits are optimized to minimize SD values. Furthermore, the setup is optically studied and the slope deviations are compared for individual models through intercept factors (γ). The comparative study reveals that the solar parabolic trough collector with its facets made of woven jute/glass fibre-reinforced polyester hybrid composite material yields γmax = 0.957 for avg. SD = 1.34 mrad in stiff case and γmax = 0.955 for avg. SD = 1.349 mrad in elastic case under gravity load, and γmax = 0.866 for avg. SD = 3.78 mrad in stiff case and γmax = 0.863 for avg. SD = 3.81 mrad in elastic case under both wind and gravity loads, resulting to be the best among considered models. Maximum weight reduction of up to 30% in stiff case and up to 4.5% in elastic case has also been observed compared to conventional glass collector for hybrid composite model thus reducing the tracking power and producing a cost effective system.