scholarly journals Analysing the Material Suitability and Concentration Ratio of a Solar-Powered Parabolic trough Collector (PTC) Using Computational Fluid Dynamics

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (20) ◽  
pp. 5479
Author(s):  
Mohammad Akrami ◽  
Husain Alsari ◽  
Akbar A. Javadi ◽  
Mahdieh Dibaj ◽  
Raziyeh Farmani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Production Rate ◽  
Water Scarcity ◽  
Concentration Ratio ◽  
Parabolic Trough ◽  
Parabolic Trough Collector ◽  
Maximum Production ◽  
Solar Powered ◽  
Maximum Production Rate

Solar-powered desalination is a sustainable solution for countries experiencing water scarcity. Several studies have presented different solutions to provide cleaner production in desalination systems. Parabolic trough collector (PTC) is one of these solutions that has proven to be superior among solar concentrators. Furthermore, a number of studies have investigated the use of PTC for distillation of saline water in response to water scarcity. In this study, a modified PTC model was developed, in which the heat exchanger was replaced by a condensation tube to reduce the energy consumption, and a black layer was introduced to the surface of the receiver to enhance its absorptance. As a reference case, the system productivity according to average solar intensities in Zagazig, located at 30°34′N 31°30′E in the North East of Egypt, is estimated. The results indicated that the maximum production rate that can be attained is 1.72 kg/h. Then, the structure of the system is evaluated with the aid of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modelling, in order to enhance its productivity. Many materials are examined and the results recognised copper as the most suitable material amongst marine grade metals (i.e., aluminium, galvanised steel and stainless steel) to construct the receiver tube. This is due to its superior thermal performance, satisfactory corrosion resistance, and acceptable cost. Afterwards, the selected receiver tube was employed to identify the optimal Concentration Ratio (CR). Consequently, a CR of 90.56 was determined to be the optimum value for Zagazig and regions with similar solar radiation. As a result, the system’s productivity was enhanced drastically, as it was estimated that a maximum production rate of 6.93 kg/h can be achieved.

Comparative Thermal Performance of a Parabolic Trough Receiver With Cu-Therminol®VP-1, Ag-Therminol®VP-1 and Al2O3-Therminol®VP-1 Nanofluids

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aggrey Mwesigye ◽  
Zhongjie Huan ◽  
Josua P. Meyer
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Thermal Performance ◽  
Thermal Efficiency ◽  
Base Fluid ◽  
Concentration Ratio ◽  
Volume Fraction ◽  
Parabolic Trough ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Flux Boundary Condition

As parabolic trough systems with high concentration ratios become feasible, convective heat transfer enhancement is expected to play a significant role in improving the thermal and thermodynamic performance of these systems. In this paper, the thermal performances of a high concentration ratio system using three different types of nanofluids were investigated. A system with a geometric concentration ratio of 113 and a rim angle of 80° was used in this study. The nanofluids considered were copper-Therminol®VP-1, silver-Therminol®VP-1 and Al2O3-Therminol®VP-1 nanofluid. For each nanofluid, the volume fraction of the nanoparticles in the base fluid was varied from 0–6%. The numerical solution was obtained using a finite volume based computational fluid dynamics tool. Temperature dependent properties were used for both the base fluid and the nanoparticles. An actual receiver heat flux boundary condition obtained using Monte Carlo ray tracing was coupled to the computational fluid dynamics code to model the thermal performance of the receiver. Results show that for each nanofluid used, the thermal performance of the receiver improves significantly. The thermal efficiency increases by about 12.5%, 13.9% and 7.2% for the copper-Therminol®VP-1, silver-Therminol®VP-1 and Al2O3-Therminol®VP-1 nanofluids, respectively as the volume fraction increases from 0 to 6%. The thermal efficiency improvement with silver-Therminol®VP-1 was the highest of the considered nanofluids owing to the relatively higher thermal conductivity of silver.

scholarly journals The effect of variations in reflector material on the performance of a solar-powered parabolic trough collector

2019 ◽  
pp. 757-762
Author(s):  
Ayub Setyaji ◽  
Nugroho Agung Pambudi ◽  
Bayu Rudiyanto ◽  
Basori Basori ◽  
Nyeyep Sri Wardani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parabolic Trough ◽  
Parabolic Trough Collector ◽  
Solar Powered

Aerodynamic Effect of Wing Mirror Usage on the Solaris 7 Solar Car and Demobil 09 Electric Vehicle

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 7868-7881
Author(s):  
T. Batuhan Korkut ◽  
Aytac Goren
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Polymer Composites ◽  
Electric Vehicle ◽  
Project Team ◽  
Aerodynamic Effect ◽  
Aerodynamic Performances ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics Cfd ◽  
Solar Powered ◽  
Optimisation Technique

This study focuses on the aerodynamic performances of two vehicles by Dokuz Eylul University Solaris Solar Car Project Team. The first vehicle (S7) is a solar-powered vehicle that is designed for World Solar Challenge and the second (D9) is an electric vehicle which is designed for Tubitak EV Challenge. Both vehicles are manufactured using polymer composites and challenged in mentioned races. In this research, a formal optimisation technique based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is used to determine the efficient aerodynamic structures under various scenarios. Results clearly show that strategists of the racing teams should take intoaccount the aerodynamic structure of the racing car. Especially before the races which based on efficiency, the apex line is determined, and mirrors should be replaced by back view camera.

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