Simulation and Performance Evaluation of a Parabolic Solar Collector and a Boiler for Brine Reductio

Abstract

Salt management technique in irrigated agriculture is becoming more important at the San Joaquin Valley of California as well as a number of other areas worldwide. Concentration and evaporation systems using solar energy are being developed in California for salt separation and recovery from drainage water. A model for the parabolic solar collector yielded accurate predictions relative to experimental data for fluid temperature changes and peak fluid temperatures. The peak temperature measured at 72°C was accurate when compared to the calculated results. The evaporation rate of the boiler was 82 kg/h from the model prediction and 76 kg/h from experimental measurements. The predicted efficiencies of the parabolic solar collector and the boiler were approximately 64% during the daytime and 70%, respectively. The cost per kg of dry salts based on net present worth (NPW) for the boiler prototype was $0.90 and $1.34 based on equivalent uniform annual cost (EUAC) with respect to 1 year, respectively, and the costs decreased as the boiler capacity increased.