Parabolic trough collector’s heat transfer analysis with changes of variation on the pipe absorber system

Abstract

Solar energy is one of the most important sources of renewable energy. One of the technologies used for converting solar energy is Parabolic Trough Collector (PTC). The PTC is used to focus the heat of solar radiation. This study discusses the analysis of the PTC heat transfer with an alteration of the pipe absorber system. The goal of the research is to know the design of efficiency absorber pipe system for PTC. The research method used is an experimental research by testing the system in sunny weather conditions. The pipe absorber system is designed with two variations: PTC1 and PTC2. PTC1 uses an open loop system while PTC2 uses a closed loop system. When the experiment was conducted, the pool water temperature, the intensity of the sun, and the temperature of the fluid in the pipe absorber were measured. The results obtained showed that the highest pool water’s temperature fro m PTC1 is 39.3°C at an intensity of 806.59W/m2. Meanwhile, at PTC2 the highest pool water’s temperature is 36.2°C at an intensity of 828.71W/m2. Based on the findings, PTC1 with an open loop pipe system has a better efficiency than the PTC2 with a closed loop pipe system.