Parametric Study of Parabolic Trough Solar Collector System: A Review

Abstract

The detailed thermal analysis of a parabolic trough collector (PTC) was carried out to predict the thermal performance. The analysis is based on the established theory of PTC—the radiation absorption, heat loss from the collector, and temperature distribution on the plate. An analytical program, suitable for use on a digital computer is developed for the purpose of studying the hourly behavior of a solar collector. The exergy output is optimized with respect to the inlet fluid temperature and the corresponding efficiencies and most of the performance parameters, such as, the exergy output, exergetic and thermal efficiencies, inlet temperature, ambient temperature etc. are to be optimized.  The relation between thermal efficiency & solar intensity is directly propositional to each other and along with it also depends on mass flow rate and concentration ratio.

Keywords: Parabolic trough collector, exergy, calculations, flowchart for MATLAB

Cite this Article:

Suchak HH, Mody VH. Parametric Study of Parabolic Trough Solar Collector System: A Review. Journal of Alternate Energy Sources & Technologies. 2015; 6(1): 46–50p.