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Influence of reflector installation errors on optical-thermal performance of parabolic trough collectors based on a MCRT - FVM coupled model

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  • Yang, Bin
  • Liu, Shuaishuai
  • Zhang, Ruirui
  • Yu, Xiaohui

Abstract

A three-dimensional optical-thermal model of parabolic trough solar collector (PTC) based on Monte Carlo Ray Tracing (MCRT) method and Finite Volume Method (FVM) was proposed. The simulation results are compared with experimental data to verify the feasibility and reasonability of the model. The model was used to analyze the effect of reflector installation errors on PTC performance. The results showed that the optical efficiency of about 82.61% and the collector efficiency of approximately 68.22% can be maintained if the reflector installation error (θ) is kept lower than 7 mrad. Compared with the case of unilateral installation error, the optical efficiency and the collector efficiency caused by bilateral installation error decrease faster as reflector installation error increased when the θ > 7 mrad. The increase of the peak value of the local concentration ratio (LCR) is observed under the conditions of θleft = 0, θright = θ and θright = -θleft = θ compared with the non-deformation case, indicating that the receiver may occur local overheating, which may shorten the service life of the receiver. Among them, the bilateral error with a geometry of θright = -θleft = 7 mrad damages the optical performance and thermal performance of PTC more seriously.

Suggested Citation

  • Yang, Bin & Liu, Shuaishuai & Zhang, Ruirui & Yu, Xiaohui, 2022. "Influence of reflector installation errors on optical-thermal performance of parabolic trough collectors based on a MCRT - FVM coupled model," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(C), pages 1006-1017.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:185:y:2022:i:c:p:1006-1017
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2021.12.102
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    3. Stanek, Bartosz & Węcel, Daniel & Bartela, Łukasz & Rulik, Sebastian, 2022. "Solar tracker error impact on linear absorbers efficiency in parabolic trough collector – Optical and thermodynamic study," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 196(C), pages 598-609.
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    6. Hou, Yu-tian & Yu, Xiao-hui & Yang, Bin & Liu, Shuai-shuai & Qi, Yao, 2023. "Optical performance investigation on flat receiver for parabolic trough solar collector based on the MCRT method," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 202(C), pages 525-536.

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