Trough Solar Collector Research Articles

Numerical study on solar trough collectors: Optimizing heat transfer with ternary nanoparticles in ionic base fluid and spinning tube fins

The present study investigates the simultaneous influence of ternary nanoparticles in an ionic-based liquid ([EMIM][BF4]) within a parabolic solar trough collector (PTC) tube for heat conveyance. Various types of fins are considered on the inner surface of the receiver tube to enhance turbulence in the flow, thereby improving heat flux distribution and reducing issues related to thermal stress. Using ANSYS 23 Fluent, four cases are simulated, including three with differently structured fins and one representing a traditional PTC tube without fins. Hybrid nanofluids with 1 % volume content, comprising copper oxide, graphene oxide, and aluminum oxide mixed with the ionic base liquid, are examined. The tubes, along with the fins, undergo rotation with spinning rates ranging from 0 rad/s to 15 rad/s, while the flow rate of the working medium varies from 0.15kg/s to 0.60kg/s. Improvements of Nusselt number and thermal performance factor are found as 55.45 %, and 47.45 %, respectively, for Nanofluid-6 than Nanofluid-1 at Re = 4739.30. Enhancement for thermal efficiency is 22.50 % for Case-1 with Nanofluid-6 at 15 rad/s tube spinning speed than 0 rad/s spinning speed. Thus, this study provides crucial insights for selecting the most effective modified model based on its thermal performance, helping to enhance both design and operational efficiency.

Dynamic thermal performance analysis and experimental study of cascaded packed-bed latent thermal energy storage integrated solar trough collectors

The instability of the renewable energy significantly impacts the thermal performance of solar thermoelectric systems. In this paper, a coupling system consisting of solar trough collector and double-layer cascaded packed-bed latent heat storage system (PLTES) is constructed to investigate thermal performance and operating parameters under dynamic conditions. Additionally, the experimental platform was upgraded to evaluate the dynamic charging/discharging process of the cascaded PLTES. The results show that under dynamic inlet heat flow, the PLTES exhibits only one peak temperature difference, and the average temperature is lower than that in the steady-state. The cascade-packed structure promotes a more uniform temperature and liquid phase distribution, resulting in a longer heat flow output. Higher mass flow rates of the heat flow increase convective heat transfer and reduce the temperature difference, though they have little effect on the energy efficiency. Conversely, an increase in capsule diameter significantly reduces the energy efficiency. Experimental results indicate that under dynamic conditions, the total charge-discharge capacity of the cascade system decreases by 0.5 MJ and 0.9 MJ, and the energy efficiency decreases by 0.15. Nevertheless, the energy efficiency of the cascaded PLTES (0.57) is higher than that of the single layer (0.5).

Experimental Investigation of a Parabolic Solar Trough Collector with Titanium-Coated Receiver to Heat Water in a Tank for Domestic Uses

Experimental Investigation of a Parabolic Solar Trough Collector with Titanium-Coated Receiver to Heat Water in a Tank for Domestic Uses

Review on the development of solar geothermal complementary power generation system

Nowadays, due to the burning of fossil energy has many negative impacts on the environment, people are looking for new sustainable energy sources that can replace fossil energy, and among them, geothermal energy and solar energy are more prominent, but the two energy sources alone have certain shortcomings, and since complementary solar geothermal energy systems compensate for some of the shortcomings of the two energy sources, much research has been done in this field. This essay summarizes the conclusion from those studies and identify the shortcomings. The largest losses in the system are always in the solar power system. The component with the highest losses may be the evaporator or the trough solar collectors with over 50%. In a solar-geothermal complementary power system, the two energy sources promote each other and the system is more efficient in the summer than in the winter. In a solar-geothermal Organic Rankine Cycle power generation system, Supercritical Organic Rankine Cycle can be a better option than subcritical Organic Rankine Cycle for solar geothermal hybrid power production and cost control. And hybrid power plants benefits will increase over time

Analysis of Soret and Dufour effects on radiative heat transfer in hybrid bioconvective flow of carbon nanotubes

Numerous heat transfer applications, such as heat exchangers, solar trough collectors, and fields including food processing, material research, and aerospace engineering, utilize hybrid nanofluids. Compared to conventional fluids, hybrid nanofluids exhibit significantly enhanced thermal conductivity. The aim of this work is to explore flow and heat transmission features under of magneto-hydrodynamic bioconvective flow of carbon nanotubes over the stretched surface with Dufour and Soret effects. Additionally, comparative dynamics of the carbon nanotubes (SWCMT − MWCNT/C2H6O2 with SWCMT − MWCNT/C2H6O2 − H2O) flow using the Prandtl fluid model in the presence of thermal radiation and motile microorganisms has been investigated. Novel feature Additionally, the focus is also to examine the presence of microorganisms in mixture base hybrid nanofluid. To examine heat transfer features of Prandtl hybrid nanofluid over the stretched surface convective heating is taken into consideration while modeling the boundary conditions. Suitable similarity transform has been employed to convert dimensional flow governing equations into dimensionless equations and solution of the problem has been obtained using effective, accurate and time saving bvp-4c technique in MATLAB. Velocity, temperature, concentration and microorganisms profiles have been demonstrated graphically under varying impact of various dimensionless parameters such as inclined magnetization, mixed convection, Dufour effect, Soret effect, thermal radiation effect, and bioconvection lewis number. It has been observed that raising values of magnetization (0.5 ≤ M ≤ 4), mixed convection (0.01 ≤ λ ≤ 0.05) and inclination angle (0° ≤ α ≤ 180°) enhance fluid motion rapidly in Ethylene glycol based Prandtl hybrid nanofluid (SWCMT − MWCNT/C2H6O2) when compared with mixture base working fluid of carbon nanotubes SWCMT − MWCNT/C2H6O2 − H2O). Raising thermal radiation (0.1 ≤ Rd ≤ 1.7) and Dufour number (0.1 ≤ Du ≤ 0.19) values improves temperature profile. Moreover, a good agreement has been found between the current outcome and existing literature for skin friction outcomes.

Experimental investigation and thermodynamic analysis of application of hybrid nanofluid in a parabolic solar trough collector.

In this research, thermal modeling has been done to investigate the effect of nanofluid on the performance of the linear parabolic collector. Therminol vapor/liquid phase fluid (VP-1) has been used as a base fluid; iron oxide nanoparticles have been used to produce mono-nanofluid; and iron oxide multi-walled carbon nanotubes nanocomposite has been used as nanoparticles to produce hybrid nanofluid. The fluid flow inside the absorber tube of the collector is assumed to be turbulent. The results show that when hybrid nanofluid and mono-nanofluid are used, the energy and exergy efficiencies of the collector are higher than those for the conditions of using the base fluid, but their amount is slightly lower with the use of hybrid nanofluid than when the working fluid is mono-nanofluid. According to the obtained results, the highest energy efficiency of the linear parabolic collector using nanofluid and mono-nanofluid is 70.2% and 70.4%, respectively, and the highest exergy efficiency is 35.7% and 35.9%, respectively. Despite this, the friction coefficient of mono-nanofluid compared to hybrid nanofluid was obtained on average about 9% higher. The results showed that the criterion for evaluating the performance of the collector (hydrodynamic thermal efficiency) when hybrid nanofluid is used is more than when mono-nanofluid is used.

Thermal transport energy performance on tangent hyperbolic hybrid nanofluids and their implementation in concentrated solar aircraft wings

Abstract The primary heat source from the sunlight is solar energy (SE), which is used in photovoltaic (PV) panels, solar power plates, PV, streetlights, and solar-based hybrid nanocomposites. Currently, research is focused on analyzing and improving the efficiency of SE, particularly for powering aircraft, by combining solar power with nanotechnology advancements. As such, this study focuses on examining concentrated solar power and proposes a method to improve the performance of solar airplanes by employing nanotechnology. Furthermore, the work is based on the investigation of the flow rate, thermal distribution, and entropy generation of the magnetized tangent hyperbolic hybrid nanofluid (HNF) along the interior parabolic solar trough collector of an aircraft wing. This work utilizes similarity variables to simplify the partial derivative model into ordinary differential equations. These equations are then solved using the Galerkin weighted residual approach with the help of MATHEMATICA 11.3 software. From the obtained outcomes, it is reflected that the HNFs have high thermal conductivity than the NF. Intensification of Weissenberg number improves the performance of airplane wings subjected to heat transmission. Therefore, this research contributes to improved thermal management in advanced nanotechnology and solar aircraft.

Modal signal analysis of parabolic shell structures with flexoelectric sensors

The flexoelectric effect, garnering extensive attention in recent years, is an electro-mechanical coupled gradient effect that widely exists in dielectric materials and holds great potential for applications in structural sensing and actuation. The parabolic shell structure, characterized by line focusing, finds widespread use in key structural components such as solar trough collectors and communication antennas. Distributed sensing of the structural states of these parabolic shells is critical for vibration control, health monitoring, and shape control of precision structural systems. Therefore, flexoelectric sensing research based on parabolic shell structure has become an important topic. This study establishes a mathematical model for flexoelectric sensing in a parabolic shell with four-sided simply supported boundary conditions. The model is based on the direct flexoelectric effect, and thin shell assumption, and incorporates specific Lamé parameters and curvature radius. The electro-mechanical strain gradient/signal generation characteristics and distributed modal flexoelectric signals on the parabolic shell are investigated. The sensing signal under the open-circuit conditions is deduced, and the flexoelectric sensing signal and sensing characteristics of different modes are analyzed. The formulation of the flexoelectric neural sensing signal for the parabolic shell structure is provided and divided into two components: a circumferential bending component and a longitudinal bending component. In the case studies, the effects of design parameters such as flexoelectric sensor thickness, size, and aspect ratios are evaluated and compared. The analysis and results of this study offer a theoretical foundation and reference for refining the design parameters of the flexoelectric sensor and determining its optimal sensing position, and potentially paving the way for new applications of flexoelectric sensing technology.

Research review on performance evaluation of a parabolic trough solar collector for hot water generation

This experimental study aimed to examine the impact of many parameters, including concentration ratio, optical efficiency, and thermal efficiency, on the performance of the trough solar collector. In the present day, nations throughout the globe exhibit a collective preoccupation with the issue of environmental pollution and its consequential impacts. However, it remains imperative for these nations to secure adequate energy resources in order to facilitate the progress and advancement of their respective countries. The utilization of conventional techniques, particularly those involving coal, fossil fuels, and organic matter, to generate the necessary energy yields a significant level of air pollution, which serves as the primary catalyst for global warming. The utilization of non-conventional methods for energy production is deemed more favorable in terms of environmental impact. However, the lack of economic viability serves as the primary deterrent for impoverished and emerging nations in adopting such non-conventional techniques. The geographical conditions have a significant role in determining the viability of nonconventional sources such as solar energy and wind energy. This study involved an analysis of the performance of a solar trough collector, with subsequent calculations of its efficiencies.

Solar chillers for air conditioning systems

Air conditioning systems can use heat energy to reduce electrical energy consumption. For this purpose absorption-type chillers are used. In these chillers only 10% of the energy is supplied as electrical energy and the rest is supplied as heat energy. At present, many chillers of this type are manufactured with solar heating devices. As a rule, flat panel solar heaters are used for this purpose. Unfortunately, the highest temperature of the heaters is slightly lower that is necessary for efficient work of absorption-type chillers. For this reason sometimes evacuated tube solar heaters are used to obtain sufficiently high temperature. Trough solar collectors have also been proposed for this purpose. This increases the cost of solar heaters. At present, this cost equals approximately 100 USD per square meter. We have developed a low-cost flat facet solar concentrator that can have a cost of 20-30 USD in mass production and provides a temperature of about 200ºC that is sufficient practically for all types of absorption type chillers. In this paper we shortly describe the design of the flat facet solar concentrator and its possible applications in air conditioning systems.

Assessment of a sustainable power generation system utilizing supercritical carbon dioxide working fluid: Thermodynamic, economic, and environmental analysis

Solar energy stands out as one of the most abundant and cost-effective resources for energy conversion systems, playing a pivotal role in addressing the world's growing energy demands and environmental concerns. This study focuses on a power generation system that integrates multiple technologies for efficient energy conversion, including a parabolic solar trough collector unit, a supercritical carbon dioxide Brayton cycle, and two dual-pressure organic Rankine cycles. The goal is to assess this system from various angles, including energy, exergy, exergoeconomic, and exergoenvironmental aspects. The base mode study results reveal an overall energy efficiency of 16.66 %, exergy efficiency of 17.88 %, a total net power generation of 17.32 MW, a payback period of 4.38 years, and a total exergoenvironmental impact rate of 126.75 Pt/h. Additionally, the study conducts a parametric investigation to analyze how the system performs under different conditions and how changes in design parameters affect its main outputs. Furthermore, the study utilizes a multi-objective particle swarm optimization algorithm and a decision-maker method to identify the most desirable condition for the system's performance. Three optimization scenarios are considered, and various specific costs for electricity are evaluated to determine the payback period and net present value.

Statistical analysis of radiative solar trough collectors for MHD Jeffrey hybrid nanofluid flow with gyrotactic microorganism: entropy generation optimization

PurposeA parabolic trough solar collector is an advanced concentrated solar power technology that significantly captures radiant energy. Solar power will help different sectors reach their energy needs in areas where traditional fuels are in use. This study aims to examine the sensitivity analysis for optimizing the heat transfer and entropy generation in the Jeffrey magnetohydrodynamic hybrid nanofluid flow under the influence of motile gyrotactic microorganisms with solar radiation in the parabolic trough solar collectors. The influences of viscous dissipation and Ohmic heating are also considered in this investigation.Design/methodology/approachGoverning partial differential equations are derived via boundary layer assumptions and nondimensionalized with the help of suitable similarity transformations. The resulting higher-order coupled ordinary differential equations are numerically investigated using the Runga-Kutta fourth-order numerical approach with the shooting technique in the computational MATLAB tool.FindingsThe numerical outcomes of influential parameters are presented graphically for velocity, temperature, entropy generation, Bejan number, drag coefficient and Nusselt number. It is observed that escalating the values of melting heat parameter and the Prandl number enhances the Nusselt number, while reverse effect is observed with an enhancement in the magnetic field parameter and bioconvection Lewis number. Increasing the magnetic field and bioconvection diffusion parameter improves the entropy and Bejan number.Originality/valueNanotechnology has captured the interest of researchers due to its engrossing performance and wide range of applications in heat transfer and solar energy storage. There are numerous advantages of hybrid nanofluids over traditional heat transfer fluids. In addition, the upswing suspension of the motile gyrotactic microorganisms improves the hybrid nanofluid stability, enhancing the performance of the solar collector. The use of solar energy reduces the industry’s dependency on fossil fuels.

Computational study of heat transfer and fluid flow in a solar trough collector with a ribbed surface and an MWCNT—Al2O3/water-based hybrid nanofluid

The parabolic trough solar collector (PTSC) is renowned for its impressive ability to harness solar energy effectively. Nevertheless, it does suffer from a low thermal efficiency [Formula: see text], which presents an exciting opportunity for its performance enhancement using novel coolant hybrid nanofluids (NFs) and reconfigured receiver tubes. This study performs computational simulations to analyze the thermal and hydraulic performance of PTSC equipped with a V-ribbed receiver tube for MWCNT—[Formula: see text]/water hybrid. All turbulent flow simulations are performed for different values of parameters (relative rib height [Formula: see text], relative streamwise pitch ratio [Formula: see text] and relative spanwise pitch ratio [Formula: see text] of V-ribbed receiver tube with different Reynolds number [Formula: see text] (10,000–50,000). Various performance indicators (Nusselt number [Formula: see text], friction factor [Formula: see text], and performance evaluation criterion) had been investigated to assess the collector's performance. The results indicate that the highest Nu achieved of 760 with [Formula: see text]. Additionally, the maximum [Formula: see text] of 0.29 was observed at [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. Furthermore, the peak enhanced [Formula: see text] of 1.9 was attained with [Formula: see text], specifically at [Formula: see text] of 50,000. The findings indicate that using a V-ribbed receiver tube augments the heat transfer of the solar collector by 134.57% at Re of 50,000 with hybrid NF.

Performance Prediction of a Dual-axis Tracking Solar Trough Collector Based on Artificial Neural Network

A dual-axis tracking parabolic trough solar collector, using a certain straight-trough tube, was set up to experimentally investigate the heat collecting performance. An artificial neural network(ANN) model was developed. Experimental data were used to train and predict the mean temperature of Heat transfer fluid in the solar trough collector based on the developed model. The Levenberg-Marquardt (LM) method was also applied to optimize the weights and thresholds for the classic BP Newton algorithm, providing an ANN model with 9 hidden nodes and 30,000 training times. The predicted values are all in good agreement with the experimental data, with a mean relative error of 0.21% and a maximum error of 1.2%. In comparison, the mean relative error of the one-dimensional steady-state model reaches 1.07%. It indicates that the ANN exhibits excellent performance in predicting the export temperature of the solar collector with a specific flow rate of Heat transfer fluid. This ANN model is promising to predict the performance of solar trough collectors under different operating and environmental conditions.

Computational analysis of melting radiative heat transfer for solar Riga trough collectors of Jeffrey hybrid-nanofluid flow: A new stochastic approach

Current investigation deals with the melting heat transfer for the Jeffrey hybrid-nanofluid flow in parabolic trough solar collectors through Darcy Forchheimer porous media over a variable thick vertical elongation Riga surface under the effect of solar radiation. The impacts of viscous dissipation and Joule heating are also investigated. Equations governing the Jeffrey’s hybrid nanofluid flow are higher-order non-linear partial differential equations (PDEs). These governing PDEs are transformed into the non-linear ordinary differential equations (ODEs) by introducing appropriate similarity transformations and dimensionless parameters. Runga Kutta’s fourth-order numerical scheme is implemented with the shooting technique to solve coupled higher-order ODEs. Results for velocity profile, temperature profile, drag coefficient and Nusselt number are discussed for various influential parameters. Artificial neural networking is also performed to predict Nusselt numbers in different cases and scenarios. The Artificial Neural Network gives the desired outputs with the highest possible accuracy. It is observed that the temperature profile rises with increase in Hartmann number, porosity parameter, and Forchheimer number. However thermal profile worsens with escalates in the exponential index. Radiant energy of the Sun is a renewable energy source available in considerable amounts in our living environment. A parabolic trough solar collector is an efficient solar collector that stores the concentrated incoming radiant energy from the Sun to fulfill the requirement of high temperatures in thermal energy storage systems. It has various applications in solar-powered appliances for cooking and air conditioning, solar-powered systems for treating wastewater, photovoltaic lighting, solar-powered cars, aircraft, etc.

Thermodynamic analysis and comparison of four type CBC-ORC energy systems with regenerator using improved lunar regolith for heat storage applied to lunar base

Closed Brayton cycle (CBC)-organic Rankine cycle (ORC) system is an important option for lunar base energy system. In order to deeply explore the potential of CBC-ORC applications at lunar base, the impact of different system constructions on system performance needs to be evaluated. This paper establishes four types CBC-ORC mathematical model with different position of regenerator, and evaluates the daytime and nighttime operation characteristics of the regenerators, including thermal efficiency, thermal efficiency and power generation. The results show that the CBC regenerator can significantly improve the thermal efficiency of the system during the lunar daytime, with an increase of 15 %. However, ORC regenerator has limited improvement on system performance (only 4.28 %). In addition, the CBC regenerator can reduce the heat exchange area of solar trough collector and radiator by 60.3 % and 57.94 %, respectively. The CBC regenerator can balance the exergy destruction of each equipment, especially the evaporator. Compared with the energy system without CBC regenerator, its exergy destruction is reduced by 58 %. In summary, different demands correspond to different energy systems. Type 4 should be selected when the system is affected by limited space, high energy conversion efficiency is accomplished in limited space. If it is only to achieve high power generation, Type 3 is the best choice for the lunar base.

Parabolic Solar Trough Collector: A Review

Parabolic Solar Trough Collector: A Review

Influence of spinning flower structure inserts in the thermal performance of LS-2 model of parabolic trough collector with ternary hybrid nanofluid

Parabolic solar trough collector is the most widely accepted technology to use inexhaustible energy. Present research work proposed LS-2 model of parabolic trough collector with various spinning flower inserts and three particles based nanofluid as a heat-carrying medium. Main intention of this examination is to lower the temperature gradient in fluid flow and provide uniform distribution of heat flux on the receiver's outermost surface. A total of ten cases of PTC are examined in ANSYS 22 Fluent. Nine steady receivers are equipped with spinning flower inserts and one without inserts. Hybrid nanofluids with 1% vol. content are attained by blending aluminum oxide, copper oxide, and graphene oxide with water as base fluid. This evolution focuses on the consideration of spinning inserts in the receiver with a range of speed from 0 to 15 rad/s. The flow rate is from 0.016 kg/s - 0.033 kg/s respectively. Highest enhancement for thermal efficiency and heat transfer coefficient are 30.87% and 98.34% for case-9 at 15 rad/s inserts speed than receiver without inserts using nanofluid-6 at 0.033 kg/s. Under the same condition, the highest increment for the pump work requirement is 21.29% for case-9 than receiver without inserts. This means increment of pump work is insignificant than thermal performance improvements.

Thermal performance evaluation of parabolic trough collector having different inserts and working with hybrid nanofluid

This study emphasizes the comparative investigation of the thermal capacity of parabolic solar trough collectors with spherical-shaped balls and two types of elliptical inserts (longitudinal orientation). Hybrid nanofluid is the heat-carrying liquid obtained by mixing CuO and Al2O3 nanoparticles in distilled water. Analytical investigations are conducted for 1% vol. concentration of hybrid nanoparticles in distilled water for varying proportions. Computational analysis is chosen to obtain thermal as well as flow trends in the tube receiver. The outcomes disclosed that 13.3%, 10.02%, and 16% improvements are noted for thermal efficiency, Nusselt number, and thermal performance index with elliptical inserts of minor diameter 12 mm in the receiver, respectively, than spherical ball inserts. The highest pump work of 35 W is associated with spherical inserts at 0.033 kg/s.

Performance of parabolic trough solar collector with spinning star inserts in receiver tube with hybrid nanofluid

To achieve better performance from parabolic solar trough collector, rotational motion in the heat-carrying liquid is imposed by installing spinning star inserts in the steady receiver. The goal of this analytical investigation is to reduce the temperature gradient in the fluid flow. A total of four cases for parabolic trough collectors are simulated in ANSYS 22R1 Fluent. Three steady receivers fitted with rotating star inserts and one without inserts is examined. Hybrid nanofluids of 1% volume content in water are obtained by mixing aluminum oxide and copper oxide. This examination considers rotating inserts in the receiver with a velocity ranging from 0 to 15 rad/s. The flow rate is from 0.016 kg/s to 0.033 kg/s. The outcomes are analyzed in terms of thermal efficiency, Nusselt number, outlet temperature, and pump work demand. It is observed that maximum improvement for thermal efficiency and Nusselt number are 38.03% and 50.90% for case 3 (star inserts with fin height of 25 mm and length of 4 mm) at 15 rad/s than receiver without inserts with nanofluid 1 (copper oxide 75%–aluminum oxide 25%) for 0.033 kg/s flow rate. At the same operating condition, the maximum increment for pump work demand is 20.41% for case 3 than receivers without inserts.