Recent experimental enhancement techniques applied in the receiver part of the parabolic trough collector – A review

Abstract

Recently, the thermal performance of the parabolic trough collector (PTC), augmented to be more applicable and efficient, received intensive research. These studies aimed to improve heat transfer in the receiver part, in order to decrease the heat loss, and enhance the heat transfer to the thermal fluid. Many previous review papers focused on the numerical sides rather than the experimental side. Several research papers recommended doing more research in the experimental field; in order to decrease the gap between the numerical and experimental results, as well as increase the confidence level of what has been done in the theoretical field researches. Regarding the recommendations of the recent papers to decrease the gap between numerical and experimental aspects, this review paper focused on the recent experimental research related to thermal enhancement performance in the receiver part of the parabolic solar collector. In this research, different categories of the enhancement methods are discussed in detail through this review, namely nanofluids, surface modifications, and inserts models or the two categories combined together. We discussed these categories for different parabolic troughs considering only the recent experimental research between the period from 2014 up to 2019. Some parameters were discussed, such as the main dimensions of the examined receiver and parabolic collector. Moreover, types of nanoparticle specifications and preparation methods with different base fluids were highlighted. In addition, we discussed different aspects of using inserts models and inlet and outlet surface modification methods. Finally, the main thermal efficiency and thermal performance enhancement results for each work were presented.

Thermal performance of inserting hybrid nanofluid in parabolic trough collector

“…On this basis various studies have been done to enhance the heat transfer of the receiver tube for the PTC. This enhancement can be reached using various methods, namely passive, active techniques or combined both methods [5]. One of the most recent ways that have taken a broad interest in recent years is the use of nanofluid that is clearly shown by an increase in the number of articles in this field [6].…”