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Improving the performance of large-aperture parabolic trough solar concentrator using semi-circular absorber tube with external fin and flat-plate radiation shield

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  • Gong, Jing-hu
  • Wang, Jun
  • Lund, Peter D.
  • Zhao, Dan-dan
  • Hu, En-yi
  • Jin, Wei

Abstract

An improved absorber tube (AT) design consisting of a semi-circular and an external flat fin with a flat-plate radiation shield inside an evacuated annulus is proposed for large aperture parabolic trough concentrator (PTC) systems. In the present design, the AT’s semi-circular part absorbs the most sun rays. The other rays originally absorbed by the AT’s upper part is intercepted by the external two fins. The flat-plate radiation shield reflects the external radiation energy from the AT’s upper half back to the AT. The trough has an aperture of 8m and an 80° half rim angle. The AT consists of a semicircle with a diameter of 100 mm and outer fins. The optical and thermal efficiency of this new design was up to 83.3% and 80.3%, respectively. The optical and thermal efficiency was 8%-units higher than that of the traditional optimal design. The maximum temperature always appears at the edge of the fin, which is up to 50 °C higher than that of the heat transfer fluid (HTF) at 0.5 m/s, which was the optimal fluid rate for the new design. The fins also contribute to the efficiency of the PTC: 6.5% to the optical and over 3.5% to the thermal efficiency. The improved AT design will help to plan more effective PTC systems.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:159:y:2020:i:c:p:1215-1223
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2020.06.059
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Shaaban, S., 2021. "Enhancement of the solar trough collector efficiency by optimizing the reflecting mirror profile," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 176(C), pages 40-49.
    2. Halimi, Mohammed & El Amrani, Aumeur & Messaoudi, Choukri, 2021. "New experimental investigation of the circumferential temperature uniformity for a PTC absorber," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 234(C).
    3. Gong, Jing-hu & Wang, Jun & Lund, Peter D., 2021. "Improving stability and heat transfer through a beam in a semi-circular absorber tube of a large-aperture trough solar concentrator," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 228(C).
    4. Gong, Jing-hu & Wang, Jun & Lund, Peter D. & Zhao, Dan-dan & Xu, Jing-wen & Jin, Yi-hao, 2021. "Comparative study of heat transfer enhancement using different fins in semi-circular absorber tube for large-aperture trough solar concentrator," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 169(C), pages 1229-1241.
    5. Fan, Qi & Wu, Lin & Liang, Yan & Xu, Zhicheng & Li, Yungeng & Wang, Jun & Lund, Peter D. & Zeng, Mengyuan & Wang, Wei, 2021. "The role of micro-nano pores in interfacial solar evaporation systems – A review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 292(C).
    6. Amein, Hamza & Kassem, Mahmoud A. & Ali, Shady & Hassan, Muhammed A., 2021. "Integration of transparent insulation shells in linear solar receivers for enhanced energy and exergy performances," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 171(C), pages 344-359.
    7. Fang, Shibiao & Mu, Lin & Tu, Wenrong, 2021. "Application design and assessment of a novel small-decentralized solar distillation device based on energy, exergy, exergoeconomic, and enviroeconomic parameters," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 164(C), pages 1350-1363.
    8. Gong, Jing-hu & Huang, Ji & Hu, Xiaojian & Wang, Jun & Lund, Peter D. & Gao, Caiyun, 2021. "Optimizing research on large-aperture parabolic trough condenser using two kinds of absorber tubes with reflector at 500 °C," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 2187-2197.
    9. Jing-hu, Gong & Yong, Li & Jun, Wang & Lund, Peter, 2023. "Performance optimization of larger-aperture parabolic trough concentrator solar power station using multi-stage heating technology," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 268(C).

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