Numerical modeling and experimental analysis of the thermal performance of a Compound Parabolic Concentrator. (5th March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Santos-González, I.; García-Valladares, O.; Ortega, N.; Gómez, V.H.
• Is Part Of: Applied thermal engineering. Volume 114(2017:Mar.)
• Page Start: 1152
• Page End: 1160
• Publication Date: 2017-03-05
• Subjects: Solar energy -- CPC -- Numerical model -- Characterization curves -- Experimental results -- Compound parabolic concentrator; Heat engineering -- Periodicals; Heating -- Equipment and supplies -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 621.40205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2016.10.100
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-4311

Abstract

Highlights: A detailed numerical simulation of a Compound Parabolic Concentrators is developed. A Compound Parabolic Concentrators prototype is designed built and characterize. A Compound Parabolic Concentrators experimental data consider the measurement accuracy errors. A Compound Parabolic Concentrators thermal efficiency curve is obtained numerically and experimentally. Model validation against a wide range of experimental data is successfully demonstrated. Abstract: A numerical model and experimental validation of Compound Parabolic Concentrators (CPC) for heat generation are presented in this work. A previous model developed has been carefully revised and modified in order to generalize it. The mathematical model consists in a one-dimensional numerical model to describe the thermal and fluid-dynamic behavior of the CPC. Governing equations (continuity, momentum and energy) for the fluid flow inside the CPC absorber tube, together with the energy equation for the absorber tube wall, cover, insulation and reflector, and the thermal analysis of the solar concentrator are solved iteratively in an individually manner as the most suitable and reliable numerical strategy for numerical convergence. A prototype of CPC was used to evaluate and validate the numerical model. This consisted of a cylindrical absorber with a real concentration ratio of 1.8, acceptance angle of 30°, and aperture area of 0.1764 m 2 . A measurement uncertainty analysis was carried out. The mean deviation of the model against experimental data for the thermal efficiency was ±6.4%, for the increment of temperature was ±0.2 °C and for the pressure drop was ±10.7%. According to these results, a good correlation has been obtained between numerical and experimental results.