Mathematical Model of Parabolic Trough Collector with Fresnel Lens as Second Collector

Abstract

Parabolic trough collectors (PTCs) have came out as a promising technology for harnessing solar energy for various applications including electricity generation and thermal heating. However, improving their thermal performance remains a critical challenge to maximize energy conversion efficiency. This paper presents a mathematical model for enhancing the thermal performance of PTCs by using a curved Fresnel lens as a second collector over the top side of the receiver. This enhancing has taken advantage of the space above the top side of receiver and increased the thermal efficiency of PTCs. The unsteady heat transfer equations with one dimension are used to simulate the effect of Fresnel lens on the receiver components beside the heat transfer fluid and compared with that without Fresnel lens. The results of this model are based on parameters of LS-2 model and environment of installation place whereas the water was chosen as heat transfer fluid with physical properties depending on Temperature.  Al-Baydha city in Yemen is chosen as an installation place taking in consideration the variation of environment temperature in each month of the year and the inlet temperature of water and receiver‘s  components are taken as the minimum temperature of the air. Keywords: Mathematical Model; Parabolic Trough Collector;  Fresnel Lens ; Solar