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Study on the thermal performance of a novel cavity receiver for parabolic trough solar collectors

Author

Listed:
  • Liang, Hongbo
  • Zhu, Chunguang
  • Fan, Man
  • You, Shijun
  • Zhang, Huan
  • Xia, Junbao

Abstract

In this research, a novel cavity receiver for the parabolic trough solar collector (PTC) is presented. A center tube and two inclined fins act as the absorber to absorb the solar energy concentrated by the parabolic trough reflector. Its manufacture is simple. Compared to the tube bundle absorber, it is more convenient to connect in series and avoids the possible non-uniform distribution of the flow in practical applications. An experimental setup was constructed to test the thermal performance of this kind of cavity receiver. The experimental collector efficiency was in the range of 34.18–48.57%. The used physical parameters and installation error in the experiment resulted in the relatively low collector efficiency. A three-dimensional heat transfer model was established and validated by the test results. Effects of thermal conductivity of the insulation materials, emittance of the glass cover and absorber, and optical parameters on the thermal performance of the cavity receiver were estimated in detail. The results quantitatively indicated the importance of improving the physical property parameters of the collector, e.g. if the optimal parameters were selected, the collector efficiency could reach 64.25%, which was comparable to the metal-glass evacuated tube receiver. It indicates that the performance improvement potential of this kind of cavity receiver is huge and the results can theoretically guide the improvement in manufacture and installation. The present study is beneficial for promoting the large-scale application of the PTC in a simple and convenient way and the development of solar thermal technologies. The experimental test of the collector with the optimized parameters of this research and detailed cost analysis will be performed in the future work.

Suggested Citation

  • Liang, Hongbo & Zhu, Chunguang & Fan, Man & You, Shijun & Zhang, Huan & Xia, Junbao, 2018. "Study on the thermal performance of a novel cavity receiver for parabolic trough solar collectors," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 222(C), pages 790-798.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:222:y:2018:i:c:p:790-798
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2018.04.030
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    5. Chen, Xinge & Liang, Hao & Wu, Gang & Feng, Chaoqing & Tao, Tao & Ji, Yaning & Ma, Qianlei & Tong, Yuxin, 2023. "Coupled heat and humidity control system of narrow-trough solar collector and solid desiccant in Chinese solar greenhouse: Analysis of optical / thermal characteristics and experimental study," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 273(C).
    6. Alireza Rafiei & Reyhaneh Loni & Gholamhassan Najafi & Talal Yusaf, 2020. "Study of PTC System with Rectangular Cavity Receiver with Different Receiver Tube Shapes Using Oil, Water and Air," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-24, April.
    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. Madadi Avargani, Vahid & Norton, Brian & Rahimi, Amir, 2021. "An open-aperture partially-evacuated receiver for more uniform reflected solar flux in circular-trough reflectors: Comparative performance in air heating applications," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 176(C), pages 11-24.
    9. Hai Wang & Mengjie Song & Haoteng Li, 2022. "Optical Performance Comparison of Different Shapes of Cavity Receiver in the Fixed Line-Focus Solar Concentrating System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-25, January.
    10. Shinde, Tukaram U. & Dalvi, Vishwanath H. & Patil, Ramchandra G. & Mathpati, Channamallikarjun S. & Panse, Sudhir V. & Joshi, Jyeshtharaj B., 2022. "Thermal performance analysis of novel receiver for parabolic trough solar collector," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 254(PA).
    11. 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).
    12. Qiu, Yu & Zhang, Yuanting & Li, Qing & Xu, Yucong & Wen, Zhe-Xi, 2020. "A novel parabolic trough receiver enhanced by integrating a transparent aerogel and wing-like mirrors," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 279(C).
    13. Norouzi, Amir Mohammad & Siavashi, Majid & Ahmadi, Rouhollah & Tahmasbi, Milad, 2021. "Experimental study of a parabolic trough solar collector with rotating absorber tube," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 168(C), pages 734-749.
    14. Liang, Hongbo & Fan, Man & You, Shijun & Xia, Junbao & Zhang, Huan & Wang, Yaran, 2018. "An analysis of the heat loss and overheating protection of a cavity receiver with a novel movable cover for parabolic trough solar collectors," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 158(C), pages 719-729.
    15. Gong, Jing-hu & Wang, Jun & Lund, Peter D. & Zhao, Dan-dan & Hu, En-yi & Jin, Wei, 2020. "Improving the performance of large-aperture parabolic trough solar concentrator using semi-circular absorber tube with external fin and flat-plate radiation shield," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 159(C), pages 1215-1223.
    16. Jafaryar, M. & Sheikholeslami, M., 2022. "Efficacy of turbulator on performance of parabolic solar collector with using hybrid nanomaterial applying numerical method," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 198(C), pages 534-548.

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