A numerical analysis of the energy behavior of a parabolic trough concentrator

Abstract

The solar power is a clean and a durable energy; there are several techniques for using them.When necessary to elevated temperatures of heat transfer fluid, this energy must concentration. This paper presents the efficiencies study of a linear solar concentrator of a parabolic trough type. This study was conducted on the device in Guemar area, this region is located in the state of El-Oued, which it is found in the south-east of Algeria. Six typical days were selected to conduct the study in them. The solar collector has been studied optically and thermally. The optical study was using SolTrace. Matlab was used as device of programmation to solve the non-linear system of mathematical equations. The method of finite differences in the implicit case was used as way of solution. The thermal efficiencies of the concentrator are very acceptable, it have exceeded 82 %.

Optical Modeling and Thermal Behavior of a Parabolic Trough Solar Collector in the Algerian Sahara

“…The parabolic trough solar concentrator has a copper tube on the cylindrical shape with a suitable selective layer located in the focal line of the parable. The selective surface that has a high absorption coefficient and a good absorbent of solar radiation, it has a high radiant emittance to Infrared waves [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]. The receiver tube is covered with a glass tube.…”

“…The direct solar radiation is concentrated on the absorber tube by a mirror on the shape of a parabola. A fluid heat transfer (HTF) moving into the copper tube and absorbs the heat that will use in many areas of industrial or household [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13].…”

“…The parabolic trough concentrator is the most promising technologies to take the place of nonrenewable (fossil and nuclear energies) especially in the industrial field (power plants, hybrid systems, desalination, air conditioning, refrigeration, irrigation, etc.) [3][4][5][6][7]15].…”

“…The parabolic trough solar concentrators are the most widely used in linear concentrators family for thermodynamic solar energy conversion, especially in industrial and domestic areas that require an operating temperature between 80 ° C and 160 ° C [4][5][6]16], but the flat solar collectors are used for low and medium temperature applications [9].…”

“…Figure (1) illustrated the monthly average of the overall radiation received on horizontal surfaces in the period between 1992 and 2002 on the national territory. In previou8s studies we have spoken to capture and exploitation of solar energy in the Algerian territory, in many fields [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]. This article will talk about the exploitation of solar energy by using the parabolic trough solar concentrator (PTC) to obtain the water steam with a very high temperature at site of Guemar, mandate of El-Oued, in country of Algeria.…”