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Wind actions on large-aperture parabolic trough solar collectors: Wind tunnel tests and structural analysis

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  • Winkelmann, Ulf
  • Kämper, Christoph
  • Höffer, Rüdiger
  • Forman, Patrick
  • Ahrens, Mark Alexander
  • Mark, Peter

Abstract

Green energy structures are subject of on-going optimization, which involves the shape contours and the wind sensitivity of the structure. Current developments of parabolic troughs show that the aperture width increases to save assembling and operating costs to be more competitive on market compared to conventional power plantsis increased. Alternative structural concepts based on thin-walled, high-performance concrete shells combine structural stiffness and low self-weights despite large apertures to high-potential technologies. This paper presents wind tunnel tests on 3D-printed shell-like parabolic trough collector modules with an aperture width of 10 m and a module length of 30 m. Experimental investigations are performed on solitary modules (1:75 and 1:150) and on modules arranged in arrays (1:150). Pressure, pitching moment and force coefficients are determined for various pitch angles and wind directions. The coefficients are applicable to full-scale large-aperture collector modules. Subsequent numerical analysis shows trends towards effects of e.g. scaling, shadowing in solar fields regarding maximum internal forces for operation and stow mode. Results reveal that wind directions of 0°/30°/150°/180° and pitch angles of 0°/45°/60° are most significant. By means of the numerically determined internal forces and identified shadowing effects the solar field can be categorized into four characteristic sectors in which trough modules are mainly equally stressed.

Suggested Citation

  • Winkelmann, Ulf & Kämper, Christoph & Höffer, Rüdiger & Forman, Patrick & Ahrens, Mark Alexander & Mark, Peter, 2020. "Wind actions on large-aperture parabolic trough solar collectors: Wind tunnel tests and structural analysis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 2390-2407.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:146:y:2020:i:c:p:2390-2407
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2019.08.057
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    7. Yunhong Shi & Davood Toghraie & Farzad Nadi & Gholamreza Ahmadi & As’ad Alizadeh & Long Zhang, 2021. "The effect of the pitch angle, two-axis tracking system, and wind velocity on the parabolic trough solar collector thermal performance," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(12), pages 17329-17348, December.

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