Novel parabolic trough collector for obtaining solar energy: A numerical approach for design optimization

In the parabolic trough concentrator the distribution of the solar flux on the circumference of the absorber tube is non-uniform which leads to bending and stresses. As a result the absorber tube gets deflected and can damage the glass cover.

In this project a novel design has been proposed and numerically tested to examine non-uniform distribution of the temperature on the circumference of the tube and to simulate the corresponding deflection of the tube due to bending.

Simulations are conducted at different flow rates and corresponding Reynolds number is calculated.  Fluid-Solid interaction of approach as interdisciplinary study is carried out using ANSYS Workbench on receiver tube to ensure the robustness and design effectiveness under static loading conditions. Analysis is performed with the existing experimental data and static analysis is carried out to obtain the stability of the receiver pipe.

Meshing scheme used in this project splits our designed components into standard shapes and will calculate the stresses for the standard shapes. Accuracy of the calculations depends on number of shapes prepared for simulation. Meshing helps us find the precise loose points and vary our model accordingly. In the second phase of this project, water will be replaced by other working fluids to improve heat transfer properties.

PhD candidate Mr Erfan Keshavarzian is collaborating in this project.

Doctor Maryam Ghodrat

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Research interests include: Recycling and sustainability, process modelling, thermodynamic analysis, life cycle assessment of recyclable materials , advanced material and material for energy.