A detailed mathematical model for thermal performance analysis of a cylindrical cavity receiver in a solar parabolic dish collector system. (September 2018) - Karimi, Reza
Abstract: In this study, a comprehensive mathematical model was developed and proposed for a cylindrical cavity receiver, placed at focal point of a parabolic dish collector (PDC) system. The main approach in the model is based on non-isothermal internal walls of receiver. The model was validated with experimental data and the statistical parameters of R 2, RMSE and MBE show that there is a good agreement between the model results and experimental data. The effect of some operational parameters such as, HTF mass flow rate and global solar irradiation intensity, and some geometrical parameters of solar receiver such as, receiver aperture diameter and its length on the thermal performance of the system were investigated. For the parabolic dish collector and its receiver, a new definition called as solar irradiation concentration ratio ( CR irr ), was proposed. For a receiver with geometrical concentration ratio ( CR geo ) greater than solar irradiation concentration ratio, by increasing in receiver aperture area up to 0.2 m the Heat Transfer Fluid (HTF) outlet temperature and receiver thermal efficiency are increased. For CR geo less than CR irr, the mentioned parameters decrease due to increasing in heat losses. The proposed model can be applied in Design for Manufacturing (DFM) of novel high performance solar receivers. Graphical abstract: Image Highlights: A cylindrical cavity receiver in a PDC system was studied theoretically and experimentally. A comprehensive mathematical model was developed based on non-isothermal internal walls of receiver. The effects of some operational and structural parameters on thermal performance of system were investigated. A new definition for studied PDC and its receiver, which is called as solar irradiation concentration ratio was proposed. The proposed model can be applied in DFM of novel high performance solar receivers.