A Linear Parabolic Trough Solar Collector Performance Model

Abstract

A performance model has been programmed for solar thermal collector based on a linear, tracking parabolic trough reflector focused on a surface-treated metallic pipe receiver enclosed in an evacuated transparent tube: a Parabolic Trough Solar Collector (PTSC). This steady state, single dimensional model comprises the fundamental radiative and convective heat transfer and mass and energy balance relations programmed in the Engineering Equation Solver, EES. It considers the effects of solar intensity and incident angle, collector dimensions, material properties, fluid properties, ambient conditions, and operating conditions on the performance of the collector: the PTSC. Typical performance calculations show that when hot-water at 165C flows through a 6m by 2.3m PTSC with 900 w/m^2 solar insulation and 0 incident angle, the estimated collector efficiency is about 55% The model predictions will be confirmed by the operation of PTSCs now being installed at Carnegie Mellon.