A novel parabolic trough receiver by inserting an inner tube with a wing-like fringe for solar cascade heat collection. (June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Peng; Dong, Zhimin; Xiao, Hui; Liu, Zhichun; Liu, Wei
• Is Part Of: Renewable energy. Volume 170(2021)
• Page Start: 327
• Page End: 340
• Publication Date: 2021-06
• Subjects: Solar cascade heat collection -- Novel parabolic trough receiver -- Inner tube -- Wing-like fringe -- Overall efficiency; Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Énergies renouvelables -- Périodiques; Ressources énergétiques -- Périodiques; 333.794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2021.01.138
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-1481

Abstract

Abstract: In this work, a novel parabolic trough receiver (NPTR) with an inner tube and wing-like fringe was proposed to improve heat-collecting efficiency as well as provide different grades of thermal energy. Thermal oil and water, which flow respectively in absorber and the inner tube, are selected as high and low temperature heat transfer fluids. A three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics model was developed to investigate the performance of the NPTR. Effects of geometrical parameter and thermal conductivity of inner tube on the performance of NPTR were studied in details. Based on the results, the NPTR with β = 180° is recommended as the suggested design. Moreover, performance of the suggested design under different direct normal irradiances (300–1000 W/m 2 ) and inlet temperature of oil (400–650 K) were evaluated. Compared to the conventional parabolic trough receiver, the heat loss of NPTR is effectively reduced by 33.1–50.1%, and the overall efficiency can be improved by 0.61%–7.67%. Moreover, the proportions of oil and water heat gains in the total input solar energy are ranged in −18.8–63.5% and 8.39–77.6%, and the temperature gains of oil and water are ranged in −1.4–19.5 K and 5.4–18.8 K, respectively. Highlights: A parabolic trough receiver with an inner tube and wing-like fringe is proposed. A three-dimensional CFD model is developed to study the receiver performance. Performance under different parameters and conditions is studied in details. The heat loss of the novel receiver can be reduced by 33.1–50.1%. The overall efficiency of the receiver can be improved up to 7.67%.