Analysis and Optimization of a Novel Hexagonal Waveguide Concentrator for Solar Thermal Applications

Abstract

This paper analyzes a novel, cost-effective planar waveguide solar concentrator design that is inspired by cellular hexagonal structures in nature with the benefits of facile installation and low operation and maintenance cost. A coupled thermal and optical analysis of solar irradiation through an ideal hexagonal waveguide concentrator integrated with a linear receiver is presented, along with a cost analysis methodology, to establish the upper limit of performance. The techno-economic model, coupled with numerical optimization, is used to determine designs that maximized power density and minimized the cost of heat in the temperature range of 100–250 °C, which constitutes more than half of the industrial process heat demand. Depending on the incident solar irradiation and the application temperature, the cost of heat for the optimal design configuration ranged between 0.1–0.27 $/W and 0.075–0.18 $/W for waveguide made of ZK7 glass and polycarbonate, respectively. A techno-economic analysis showed the potential of the technology to achieve cost as low as 80 $/m2 and 61 $/m2 for waveguide made of ZK7 glass and polycarbonate material, respectively, which is less than half the cost of state-of-the-art parabolic trough concentrators. Overall, the hexagonal waveguide solar concentrator technology shows immense potential for decarbonizing the industrial process heat and thermal desalination sectors.

Fundamental Concepts and Recent Applications of Factorial Statistical Designs

“…Taguchi designs, according to reports, were effectively applied to evaluate the economic aspects of the operational conditions of advanced oxidation pre-treatment processes of a reverse osmosis concentrate, the mechanical properties and associated costs of pervious concrete mixtures, as well to analyze and optimize the design of a cost-effective planar waveguide solar concentrator (CAI et al, 2020;KANT et al, 2021;TAHERI and RAMEZANIANPOUR, 2021). Others designs, like the FF, CF, Central Composite and Mixed ones, were used to evaluate economic and environmental aspects of a continuous electrocoagulation process of nitrate removal, analyze the economic sustainability of a methanol production plant using renewable energy sources, and optimize the formulation of cleaning products with better properties and cost (OCHOA et al, 2017;BELLOTTI et al, 2019;KARAMATI-NIARAGH et al, 2019).…”