Model-Based Performance Analysis of a Concentrating Parabolic Trough Collector Array

Abstract

This study presents a comprehensive thermo-mathematical model of a parabolic trough solar collector (PTSC) array which consists of three modules connected in series. A detailed model for the absorbed solar energy falling on the array aperture, the optical efficiency changing with incidence angle, and the useful energy gained by heat transfer fluid (HTF) for a linear with a single-axis tracking motion rotating about a horizontal north–south orientation was programmed in Engineering Equation Solver (EES) based on the actual system parameters. The model comprises steady-state and one-dimensional heat transfer approach using the thermodynamics and the heat transfer relations to evaluate the thermal losses of the receiver (heat collector element) by taking into account the effects of collector dimensions, material properties, and fluid properties. In the performance analysis of the PTSC array, the effects of hourly solar radiation flux, ambient conditions, collector inlet temperature, and mass flow rate of the working fluid were investigated. Typical operating conditions on the 1st day of July at 12:00 solar time exhibited that when the HTF mass flow rate 0.3 kg/s, inlet temperature 150 °C, ambient temperature 39 °C, ambient air velocity 1 m/s and having a 10.26 m2 PTSC aperture area, and 940 W/m2 direct beam radiation incident with 13.98°, the estimated collector array efficiency is about 59.2 %. The model predictions are to be confirmed by the operation of PTSC being installed at Gaziantep.