IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/appene/v309y2022ics0306261921017232.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

A thermal efficiency-enhancing strategy of parabolic trough collector systems by cascadingly applying multiple solar selective-absorbing coatings

Author

Listed:
  • Zhao, Kai
  • Jin, Hongguang
  • Gai, Zhongrui
  • Hong, Hui

Abstract

For a long time, the pathway for enhancing solar collector thermal efficiency of solar energy converting into heat has been blocked because state-of-the-art parabolic trough collectors (PTCs) suffer low thermal efficiency from severe reradiation heat loss. Based on the nonuniformity temperature distribution in the parabolic trough collector loop, a novel strategy of cascadingly applying multiple solar selective-absorbing coatings (SSCs) in different sections of the collector loop is proposed. Two systems were considered to implement the designed strategy: an ideal system with multiple ideal SSCs with related optimal cutoff wavelengths at various temperatures; and a multi-section system with multiple practical SSC materials. By setting up a two-dimensional heat transfer model, the thermal performance of the PTC systems was analyzed. The results showed that the ideal and the multi-section system had better thermal performance than a conventional system. The heat loss of the multisection system was reduced by 29.3%, and the thermal efficiency was enhanced by 4.3% with an operating temperature of 290–550 °C. This strategy is expected to provide a new possibility for the realization of cost-effective solar energy utilization.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhao, Kai & Jin, Hongguang & Gai, Zhongrui & Hong, Hui, 2022. "A thermal efficiency-enhancing strategy of parabolic trough collector systems by cascadingly applying multiple solar selective-absorbing coatings," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 309(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:309:y:2022:i:c:s0306261921017232
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.118508
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306261921017232
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.118508?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Piñeiro, Gervasio & Perelman, Susana & Guerschman, Juan P. & Paruelo, José M., 2008. "How to evaluate models: Observed vs. predicted or predicted vs. observed?," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 216(3), pages 316-322.
    2. Gupta, M.K. & Kaushik, S.C., 2010. "Exergy analysis and investigation for various feed water heaters of direct steam generation solar–thermal power plant," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(6), pages 1228-1235.
    3. Valenzuela, Loreto & López-Martín, Rafael & Zarza, Eduardo, 2014. "Optical and thermal performance of large-size parabolic-trough solar collectors from outdoor experiments: A test method and a case study," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 456-464.
    4. Benoit, H. & Spreafico, L. & Gauthier, D. & Flamant, G., 2016. "Review of heat transfer fluids in tube-receivers used in concentrating solar thermal systems: Properties and heat transfer coefficients," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 298-315.
    5. Padilla, Ricardo Vasquez & Demirkaya, Gokmen & Goswami, D. Yogi & Stefanakos, Elias & Rahman, Muhammad M., 2011. "Heat transfer analysis of parabolic trough solar receiver," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(12), pages 5097-5110.
    6. Sandeep, H.M. & Arunachala, U.C., 2017. "Solar parabolic trough collectors: A review on heat transfer augmentation techniques," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 1218-1231.
    7. Manikandan, G.K. & Iniyan, S. & Goic, Ranko, 2019. "Enhancing the optical and thermal efficiency of a parabolic trough collector – A review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 235(C), pages 1524-1540.
    8. Wang, Qiliang & Shen, Boxu & Huang, Junchao & Yang, Honglun & Pei, Gang & Yang, Hongxing, 2021. "A spectral self-regulating parabolic trough solar receiver integrated with vanadium dioxide-based thermochromic coating," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 285(C).
    9. Wang, Qiliang & Hu, Mingke & Yang, Honglun & Cao, Jingyu & Li, Jing & Su, Yuehong & Pei, Gang, 2019. "Performance evaluation and analyses of novel parabolic trough evacuated collector tubes with spectrum-selective glass envelope," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 793-804.
    10. Yang, Honglun & Wang, Qiliang & Huang, Xiaona & Li, Jing & Pei, Gang, 2018. "Performance study and comparative analysis of traditional and double-selective-coated parabolic trough receivers," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 206-216.
    11. Wang, Qiliang & Hu, Mingke & Yang, Honglun & Cao, Jingyu & Li, Jing & Su, Yuehong & Pei, Gang, 2019. "Energetic and exergetic analyses on structural optimized parabolic trough solar receivers in a concentrated solar–thermal collector system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 171(C), pages 611-623.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Mehrenjani, Javad Rezazadeh & Gharehghani, Ayat & Ahmadi, Samareh & Powell, Kody M., 2023. "Dynamic simulation of a triple-mode multi-generation system assisted by heat recovery and solar energy storage modules: Techno-economic optimization using machine learning approaches," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 348(C).
    2. Wang, Qiliang & Yao, Yao & Shen, Zhicheng & Yang, Hongxing, 2023. "A hybrid parabolic trough solar collector system integrated with photovoltaics," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 329(C).
    3. Stanek, Bartosz & Wang, Wujun & Bartela, Łukasz, 2023. "A potential solution in reducing the parabolic trough based solar industrial process heat system cost by partially replacing absorbers coatings with non-selective ones in initial loop sections," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 331(C).
    4. Waseem Iqbal & Irfan Ullah & Seoyong Shin, 2023. "Nonimaging High Concentrating Photovoltaic System Using Trough," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-15, January.
    5. Bartosz Stanek & Jakub Ochmann & Daniel Węcel & Łukasz Bartela, 2023. "Study of Twisted Tape Inserts Segmental Application in Low-Concentrated Solar Parabolic Trough Collectors," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-28, April.
    6. Krzysztof Dutkowski & Marcin Kruzel & Jacek Fiuk & Krzysztof Rokosz & Iwona Michalska-Pożoga & Marcin Szczepanek, 2023. "Experimental Studies on the Influence of Spatial Orientation of a Passive Air Solar Collector on Its Efficiency," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-13, May.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Ajbar, Wassila & Parrales, A. & Huicochea, A. & Hernández, J.A., 2022. "Different ways to improve parabolic trough solar collectors’ performance over the last four decades and their applications: A comprehensive review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    2. Ignacio Arias & Eduardo Zarza & Loreto Valenzuela & Manuel Pérez-García & José Alfonso Romero Ramos & Rodrigo Escobar, 2021. "Modeling and Hourly Time-Scale Characterization of the Main Energy Parameters of Parabolic-Trough Solar Thermal Power Plants Using a Simplified Quasi-Dynamic Model," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-27, January.
    3. Wang, Qiliang & Shen, Boxu & Huang, Junchao & Yang, Honglun & Pei, Gang & Yang, Hongxing, 2021. "A spectral self-regulating parabolic trough solar receiver integrated with vanadium dioxide-based thermochromic coating," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 285(C).
    4. Hachicha, Ahmed Amine & Yousef, Bashria A.A. & Said, Zafar & Rodríguez, Ivette, 2019. "A review study on the modeling of high-temperature solar thermal collector systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 280-298.
    5. Yang, Honglun & Wang, Qiliang & Zhong, Shuai & Kwan, Trevor Hocksun & Feng, Junsheng & Cao, Jingyu & Pei, Gang, 2020. "Spectral-spatial design and coupling analysis of the parabolic trough receiver," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 264(C).
    6. Moudakkar, Touria & El Hallaoui, Z. & Vaudreuil, S. & Bounahmidi, T., 2019. "Modeling and performance analysis of a PTC for industrial phosphate flash drying," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 166(C), pages 1134-1148.
    7. Hu, Tianxiang & Kwan, Trevor Hocksun & Zhang, Han & Wang, Qiliang & Pei, Gang, 2023. "Thermal performance investigation of the newly shaped vacuum tubes of parabolic trough collector system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 278(C).
    8. Wang, Qiliang & Li, Guiqiang & Cao, Jingyu & Hu, Mingke & Pei, Gang & Yang, Hongxing, 2022. "An analytical study on optimal spectral characters of solar absorbing coating and thermal performance potential of solar power tower," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 200(C), pages 1300-1315.
    9. Cheng, Ze-Dong & Men, Jing-Jing & Liu, Shi-Cheng & He, Ya-Ling, 2019. "Three-dimensional numerical study on a novel parabolic trough solar receiver-reactor of a locally-installed Kenics static mixer for efficient hydrogen production," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 250(C), pages 131-146.
    10. Wang, Qiliang & Pei, Gang & Yang, Hongxing, 2021. "Techno-economic assessment of performance-enhanced parabolic trough receiver in concentrated solar power plants," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 167(C), pages 629-643.
    11. Yılmaz, İbrahim Halil & Mwesigye, Aggrey, 2018. "Modeling, simulation and performance analysis of parabolic trough solar collectors: A comprehensive review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 225(C), pages 135-174.
    12. Georgios E. Arnaoutakis & Dimitris Al. Katsaprakakis, 2021. "Concentrating Solar Power Advances in Geometric Optics, Materials and System Integration," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-25, September.
    13. Stanek, Bartosz & Wang, Wujun & Bartela, Łukasz, 2023. "A potential solution in reducing the parabolic trough based solar industrial process heat system cost by partially replacing absorbers coatings with non-selective ones in initial loop sections," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 331(C).
    14. Varun, K. & Arunachala, U.C. & Elton, D.N., 2020. "Trade-off between wire matrix and twisted tape: SOLTRACE® based indoor study of parabolic trough collector," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 156(C), pages 478-492.
    15. Wang, Ruilin & Qu, Wanjun & Hong, Hui & Sun, Jie & Jin, Hongguang, 2018. "Experimental performance of 300 kWth prototype of parabolic trough collector with rotatable axis and irreversibility analysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 161(C), pages 595-609.
    16. Delise, T. & Tizzoni, A.C. & Menale, C. & Telling, M.T.F. & Bubbico, R. & Crescenzi, T. & Corsaro, N. & Sau, S. & Licoccia, S., 2020. "Technical and economic analysis of a CSP plant presenting a low freezing ternary mixture as storage and transfer fluid," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 265(C).
    17. Zaharil, H.A. & Hasanuzzaman, M., 2020. "Modelling and performance analysis of parabolic trough solar concentrator for different heat transfer fluids under Malaysian condition," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 22-41.
    18. Qiu, Yu & Xu, Yucong & Li, Qing & Wang, Jikang & Wang, Qiliang & Liu, Bin, 2021. "Efficiency enhancement of a solar trough collector by combining solar and hot mirrors," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 299(C).
    19. Amein, Hamza & Akoush, Bassem M. & El-Bakry, M. Medhat & Abubakr, Mohamed & Hassan, Muhammed A., 2022. "Enhancing the energy utilization in parabolic trough concentrators with cracked heat collection elements using a cost-effective rotation mechanism," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 181(C), pages 250-266.
    20. Kumaresan, G. & Sudhakar, P. & Santosh, R. & Velraj, R., 2017. "Experimental and numerical studies of thermal performance enhancement in the receiver part of solar parabolic trough collectors," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 1363-1374.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:309:y:2022:i:c:s0306261921017232. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/405891/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.