Optimization of parabolic through collector (PTC) with multi objective swarm optimization (MOPSO) and energy, exergy and economic analyses

Abstract

The availability of reliable electricity and heat sources for community guarantees a better living environment in terms of education, healthcare and economy. Two main parameters should be considered in heat production which are the cost of this production and the performance of the devices used to produce this heat. In this work, a thermodynamic analysis based on energy and exergy analyses as well as economic analysis are presented to analyze the performance of parabolic trough solar collector (PTC). A multiobjective swarm optimization (MOPSO) technique is used to find out the maximum exergy efficiency and the minimum heat production cost of PTC. The optimum results show that the exergy efficiency, energy efficiency and heat cost are 29.22%, 35.55% and 0.0142 $/kWh. The effect of PTC geometrical parameters such as length, focal length, width and internal absorber diameter on the performance of PTC and heat production cost are investigated. Energy efficiencies of the system at different times during the day are calculated and they are in good agreement with the experimental results available in literature. The proposed system of PTC is located in Tehran, Iran.