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Abstract
The current study presents a numerical and real-time performance analysis of a parabolic trough collector (PTC) system designed for solar air-conditioning applications. Initially, a thermodynamic model of PTC is developed using engineering equation solver (EES) having a capacity of around 3 kW. Then, an experimental PTC system setup is established with a concentration ratio of 9.93 using evacuated tube receivers. The experimental study is conducted under the climate of Taxila, Pakistan in accordance with ASHRAE 93-1986 standard. Furthermore, PTC system is integrated with a solid desiccant dehumidifier (SDD) to study the effect of various operating parameters such as direct solar radiation and inlet fluid temperature and its impact on dehumidification share. The experimental maximum temperature gain is around 5.2°C, with the peak efficiency of 62% on a sunny day. Similarly, maximum thermal energy gain on sunny and cloudy days is 3.07 kW and 2.33 kW, respectively. Afterwards, same comprehensive EES model of PTC with some modifications is used for annual transient analysis in TRNSYS for five different climates of Pakistan. Quetta revealed peak solar insolation of 656 W/m2 and peak thermal energy 1139 MJ with 46% efficiency. The comparison shows good agreement between simulated and experimental results with root mean square error of around 9%.
Highlights
Global energy consumption trends are increasing progressively over the past few decades, and fossil fuels are leading with 80% share [1]
Afterwards, further detailed experimental analysis categorized in two cases is performed, in terms of temperature variation, useful heat gain, Table 1: Parameters for parabolic trough collector and desiccant wheel
60–120°C 20 RPH 55% at 80°C 350 mm 200 mm 800 kg/hr and thermal efficiency of parabolic trough collector (PTC) integrated with a solid desiccant dehumidifier under a fixed mass flow rate of 480 kg/hr
Summary
Global energy consumption trends are increasing progressively over the past few decades, and fossil fuels are leading with 80% share [1]. From literature review, it is seen that the majority of the abovementioned systems are high concentration ratio PTCs which produce high temperatures, associated with high cost These PTCs are not compatible with hot water applications like air-conditioning due to strong space constraints subjected to commercial and industrial buildings [14]. In this research work, a small parabolic trough collector (PTC) is proposed for solar assisted dehumidification applications, which required hot water temperature ranging from 70–90°C. Keeping in view the specific application of solar-assisted dehumidification, a group of four small PTC systems is designed with a concentration ratio as low as 9.93 to produce around 3 kW of thermal energy. The developed polished stainless steel PTC system is analyzed numerically and experimentally under a wide range of operating conditions for dehumidification application
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