Thermal stress analysis of parabolic dish solar collector: Impact of geometric, operational, and environmental factors

Thermal stress induced by high-flux irradiation constitutes a critical constraint on the long-term reliability of parabolic dish solar collector (PDSC) receivers. To elucidate the complex thermomechanical behavior at a system level, this study develops a rigorously validated multi-physics model integrating Monte Carlo Ray Tracing, Finite Volume Method, and Finite Element Method (MCRT-FVM-FEM). Through a systematic parametric analysis of geometric, operational, and environmental variables, the study reveals an intrinsic trade-off between thermal efficiency and structural integrity. The results indicate that strategies intended to maximize thermal output—such as enlarging the reflector aperture or reducing the mass flow rate—inevitably exacerbate mechanical stress. Notably, the investigation identifies a dual effect of tracking error: while typically detrimental to optical efficiency, a controlled deviation of 6° is found to mitigate peak stress by 47.76 % through the homogenization of the temperature field. These findings provide a theoretical basis for stress-constrained optimization and offer guidance for developing adaptive control strategies that balance high-performance operation with long-term durability.