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Progress in concentrated solar power technology with parabolic trough collector system: A comprehensive review
Abstract and Figures
Advanced solar energy utilization technology requires high-grade energy to achieve the most efficient
application with compact size and least capital investment recovery period. Concentrated solar power (CSP)
technology has the capability to meet thermal energy and electrical demands. Benefits of using CSP technology
with parabolic trough collector (PTC) system include promising cost-effective investment, mature technology,
and ease of combining with fossil fuels or other renewable energy sources. This review first covered the
theoretical framework of CSP technology with PTC system. Next, the detailed derivation process of the
maximum theoretical concentration ratio of the PTC was initially given. Multiple types of heat transfer fluids in
tube receivers were reviewed to present the capability of application. Moreover, recent developments on heat
transfer enhancement methods for CSP technology with PTC system were highlighted. As the rupture of glass
covers was frequently observed during application, methods of thermal deformation restrain for tube receivers
were reviewed as well. Commercial CSP plants worldwide with PTC system were presented, including those that
are in operation, under construction, and announced. Finally, possible further developments of CSP plants with
PTC system were outlined. Besides, suggestions for future research and application guidance were also
illustrated.
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Supplementary resources (2)
... As a home usage of solar energy, a solar pump can also be used to produce water for the home garden and agriculture [16,17]. By choosing solar pumps in the home, a lot of factors of wattage and price can be achieved rather than the traditional kind of pumps [18,19]. One of the new advantages of solar techniques is solar cars [19]. ...
... By choosing solar pumps in the home, a lot of factors of wattage and price can be achieved rather than the traditional kind of pumps [18,19]. One of the new advantages of solar techniques is solar cars [19]. Solar cars use the necessary power from solar energy systems, and any other power source will not be included [19]. ...
... One of the new advantages of solar techniques is solar cars [19]. Solar cars use the necessary power from solar energy systems, and any other power source will not be included [19]. Moreover, replacing solar cars in transportation can also release zero emissions and that can save our green nature [20,21]. ...
This proposed surface plasmon resonance design (solar absorber) with constructed materials of iron (Fe), titanium (Ti), and tin selenide (SnSe2) with the used layers of resonator design (top), substrate layer (middle), and ground (bottom). The radiated power exhibited in this design for overall bandwidth is 2800 nm for the wavelength range explores 0.2 and 3 µm with 93.2%. The other two wavelength division on the overall wavelength is 1080 nm (1.2–2.8 µm), and 2080 nm (0.2–2.28 µm) with absorption configurations of 97.24% and 95.82%, respectively. According to the highest generated absorption by the highest wavelength points (micrometers) of 0.23, 0.49, 0.75, and 1.85, we can check the resulted absorptions on the overall range. To describe the specific presentation for this design, multiple sections have been used such as the Design and Parameter section for the construction steps and parameter assignments, the Results and Analysis section to exhibit the resulted absorptions in various parameter changes, and the Conclusion section. The proposed type of absorber can be applied in some heating systems of water, turbines, tubs, and so on. Moreover, compared to the other forms of electricity generation, this solar design can be more reliable to reduce home electric bills properly.
... Conventional solar concentrating technologies. Reproduced by kind permission of Elsevier from[142,143]. ...
Solar-boosted photo-technology stands out as a powerful strategy for photosynthesis and photocatalytic processes due to its minimal energy requirements, cost-effectiveness and operation under milder, environmentally friendly conditions compared to conventional thermocatalytic options. The design and development of photocatalysts have received a great deal of attention, whereas photoreactor development must be studied deeper to enable the design of efficient devices for practical exploitation. Furthermore, scale-up issues are important for this application, since light distribution through the photoreactor is a concurrent factor. This review represents a comprehensive study on the development of photoreactors to be used mainly for the photoreduction of CO2 to fuels, but with concepts easily transferable to other photosynthetic applications such as ammonia synthesis and water splitting, or wastewater treatment, photovoltaics combined to photoreactors, etc. The primary categories of photoreactors are thoroughly examined. It is also explained which parameters influence the design of a photoreactor and next-generation high-pressure photoreactors are also discussed. Last but not least, current technologies for solar concentrators are recalled, considering their possible integration within the photoreactor. While many reviews deal with photocatalytic materials, in the authors’ view, photoreactors with significant scale and their merged devices with solar concentrators are still unexploited solutions. These are the key to boost the efficiency of these processes towards commercial viability; thus, the aim of this review is to summarise the main findings on solar photoreactors for the photoreduction of CO2 and for related applications.
... A parabolic trough collector (PTC) is a highly advanced solar concentrating device that is utilized by the majority of operational power plants as a heat source [34]. It comprises a linear trough reflector with a parabolic form and an evacuated tube. ...
Solar-driven ejector cooling is a potential alternative for reducing overall energy usage. Hence, a review of solar-driven ejector refrigeration cycles, along with their integration with multi-generation systems, has been conducted, and they are structured into several sections. Initially, the basics of ejector technology, the standard ejector refrigeration cycle, and its performance parameters are discussed. Concise summaries of impactful studies on solar-driven ejector refrigeration cycles containing cycle modification and hybridization, working fluid selection, and available solar collectors, alongside thermal energy storage technologies, have also been added. The solar-driven multi-generation systems with ejector refrigeration cycles, as well as various recent studies on data-driven modeling of the ejector refrigeration cycle, are effectively discussed. Apart from this, the different challenges, along with the future outlooks of the solar-driven ejector refrigeration cycle, are also analyzed. Lastly, it is concluded that developing an energy-efficient solar-driven ejector refrigeration cycle may be a potential replacement for the existing electricity-driven vapor compression refrigeration cycle. Therefore, this review would be helpful for newcomers to understand complete incite ejector refrigeration cycles along with their integration with solar energy, which is essential for the sustainable development of human civilization in the current energy scenario.
... Besides, the system's tracking behavior occurs in both ways, via a single axis and two axes [4]. The one-axis tracking is mainly performed in Linear Fresnel reflectors and parabolic trough collectors (PTC) [5][6][7]. The two axes of tracking behaviors occur in collectors: solar dishes and central receiver systems [8][9]. ...
... Their design incorporates a curved mirror reflector that concentrates sunlight onto a receiver tube. Within this tube circulates a heat transfer fluid (HTF) responsible for absorbing the concentrated solar energy and conveying it toward the designated application (Fuqiang et al., 2017). Maximizing the overall performance of PTCs hinges on achieving efficient heat transfer within the receiver tube. ...
Parabolic trough collectors (PTCs) play a vital role in solar-thermal energy conversion, with the absorber tube being central to heat collection efficiency. This study investigates the potential for improving heat transfer within the PTC absorber tube using Fiberfrax 140 coated with Al 2 O 3 as a novel reflector material. The research is driven by the ongoing pursuit of enhanced PTC performance. A standard modeling approach was employed, utilizing Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis with SolidWorks Flow Simulation software, coupled with solar simulations to assess collector performance under varying conditions. Environmental parameters of Bauchi such as temperature, humidity, and wind speed were sourced from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet). Optimization techniques were implemented to establish the optimal design configuration. The optimal design parameters were determined as a focal length of 700mm and a rim angle of 90°. Simulations were conducted daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, encompassing the period of January to June. A mass flow rate of 0.2 kg/s, informed by existing literature, was employed in the simulations. The results indicate improved collector performance throughout the simulated period, with peak thermal efficiency ranging from70%to82%.
Thermal storage improves the dispatchability and marketability of parabolic trough power plants allowing them to produce electricity on demand independent of solar collection. One such thermal storage system, a thermocline, uses a single tank containing a fluid with a thermal gradient running vertically through the tank, where hotter fluid (lower density) is at the top of the tank and colder fluid is at the base of the tank. The thermal gradient separates the two temperature potentials. A low-cost filler material provides the bulk of the thermal capacitance of the thermal storage, prevents convective mixing, and reduces the amount of fluid required. In this paper, development of a thermocline system that uses molten-nitrate salt as the heat transfer fluid is described and compared to a two-tank molten salt system. Results of isothermal and thermal cycling tests on candidate materials and salt safety tests are presented as well as results from a small pilot-scale (2.3 MWh) thermocline.
Dispersing trace amounts of nanoparticles into the base-fluid has significant impact on the optical as well as thermo-physical properties of the base-fluid. This characteristic can be utilized in effectively capturing as well as transporting the solar radiant energy. Enhancement of the solar irradiance absorption capacity of the base fluid scales up the heat transfer rate resulting in higher & more efficient heat transfer. This paper attempts to introduce the idea of harvesting the solar radiant energy through usage of nanofluid-based concentrating parabolic solar collectors. In order to theoretically analyze the nanofluid-based concentrating parabolic solar collector (NCPSC) it has been mathematically modeled, and the governing equations have been numerically solved using finite difference technique. The results of the model were compared with the experimental results of conventional concentrating parabolic solar collectors under similar conditions. It was observed that while maintaining the same external conditions (such as ambient/inlet temperatures, wind speed, solar insolation, flow rate, concentration ratio etc.) the NCPSC has about 5–10% higher efficiency as compared to the conventional parabolic solar collector. Furthermore, some parametric studies were carried out which reflected the effect of various parameters such as solar insolation, incident angle, convective heat transfer coefficient etc. on the performance indicators such as thermal efficiency etc.
A solar collector is a device which helps to harnesses solar radiation into useful form of energy. Among various solar collectors, the parabolic trough collector (PTC) is considered to be the best option for medium temperature (150–400 °C) heat requirements. The popularity of solar parabolic trough technology has generated interest in higher efficiency energy recovery potential. The absorber tube, also called the receiver tube or heat collection element, is one of the main functional units of a solar PTC in addition to other elements like parabolic mirrors, metal support structure and tracking unit assembly. Parabolic mirrors reflect to a focal point and concentrate falling sun rays onto an absorber tube, which is made up of a long metallic structure covered by an evacuated glass envelope to reduce convective heat transfer losses. Many techniques were attempted to enhance the heat transfer potential in the receiver tube portion of a solar PTC which includes techniques such as half insulation receiver, cavity receivers, vacuum outer shell, inclusion of inserts, baffles, artificially roughened sinks, selective coatings etc. In some of the research works, nanoparticles were also used to enhance heat transfer properties of the heat transfer fluid. In this paper, detailed review of the experimental and numerical works carried out on heat transfer enhancement techniques which focus on minimization of heat loss, use of turbulators, addition of nanofluid and selective coatings in the receiver tube of a solar PTC are presented. Further the major reasons for heat loss in the receiver tube and comparative study of various heat transfer enhancement techniques are summarised.
Two type of receiver systems currently employed in solar parabolic trough collector technology are evacuated
annuli receivers and air filled annuli receivers. While former receiver finds its way into high temperature
grid-acquaintance solar parabolic trough collectors, latter are more inclined towards non-grid
solar thermal applications like low-temperature process heat. Evacuated receivers utilize vacuum
filled annuli to reduce down the convection losses; this makes them substantially expensive – while prizing
them as benchmark among receivers. Contrary, air filled annuli based receivers are relatively less
expensive but are sub-par in thermal performance relative to evacuated receivers. This work deals with
the air filled receiver system and would try to abridge the economy and efficiency between both types of
systems using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) based numerical simulation approach. A heat blocking
thermal insulation was tailored and fitted in the sun facing receiver annulus which does not receive concentrated
radiation of the Sun, and was simulated for the reduction in convective losses and for favourable
circumferential temperature distribution (CTD) around the absorber. Consequently, its convective
heat losses were investigated for varying wind speeds and mass flow rates of heat transfer fluid (HTF)
and were compared with mainstream air filled annuli receivers. Simulation results are compared with
experimentation in which wind velocity was in a range of 0.43–4.99 m/s. It has been found that glass
envelope temperature decreases with increase in wind velocity which directly insinuates the decrease
in convection losses around glass envelope. These comparative implications could be served as a point
of reference to develop solar parabolic trough collector for small scale process heat applications in India.
h i g h l i g h t s Thermal performance of solar parabolic trough collector with porous ring is investigated. Porous rings in receiver tube improves the heat transfer rate of solar collector. By decreasing the inner diameter of the porous rings, the Nusselt number increases. Heat transfer coefficient enhances by decreasing the distance between porous rings. a b s t r a c t In this article, three dimensional turbulent flow for Syltherm heat transfer fluid in absorber tube of solar system with turbulators is simulated. The thermo-hydraulic characteristics of solar parabolic trough collector with porous rings are investigated numerically. The numerical simulation is implemented by using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The impact of distance between rings and the inner diameter of the rings on the thermal performance of the collector are evaluated. The heat transfer fluid is Syltherm 800 and the analysis is carried out based on Re-Normalization-Group (RNG) k–e turbulent model. The results show that the heat transfer characteristics of solar parabolic trough collector enhances by inserting the porous rings in tubular solar absorber. Also, by decreasing the distance between porous rings, the heat transfer characteristic increases but by increasing the inner diameter of the porous rings, the Nusselt number reduces.
The optical performance of a parabolic trough solar collector (PTC) is studied comprehensively based on Monte Carlo Ray Tracing method (MCRT) and theoretical analysis. The MCRT models are established, and the theoretical equations of several critical parameters are derived firstly. And then the effects of different geometrical parameters on the optical performance are discussed in detail. It is revealed that the distribution of local concentration ratio around the absorber tube changes greatly, and cannot be divided into four parts as previous studies showed for some special parameter conditions. The theoretically derived parameters explain very well the different properties for the critical conditions. The variations of those parameters with different geometrical configurations are further displayed. Accordingly, the optical properties for different critical parameters are discussed. The size relationship between the reflected light cone and the absorber diameter affects the optical efficiency significantly because of the rays escaping effect. Practically, the absorber diameter should be larger than the size of the reflected light cone to avoid great optical loss caused by rays escaping. All the findings in this paper establish the foundation for further research on the optical-to-thermal energy conversion in the PTC system, and provide a reference for designing and optimizing PTC’s structure.
In this paper, the optimum thermal and thermodynamic operating conditions of a parabolic trough solar energy system working with copper-Therminol®VP-1, silver-Therminol®VP-1 and Al2O3-Therminol®VP-1 nanofluids as heat transfer fluids were investigated. Moreover, the influence of increasing concentration ratios on the thermal and thermodynamic optimum conditions was considered for concentration ratios between 88 and 113. To obtain the system’s precise thermal and thermodynamic performance, a well-validated numerical model, with a typical heat flux profile on the outer wall of the receiver’s absorber tube, was developed using a finite volume based computational fluid dynamics tool together with Monte Carlo ray tracing. Results show that silver-Therminol®VP-1 nanofluid gives the highest thermal performance owing to its comparatively better thermal transport properties, whereas Al2O3-Therminol®VP-1 showed the lowest thermal performance. Given the increase in the useful energy gain from the collector with heat transfer enhancement, the thermal efficiency was shown to increase by 13.9%, 12.5% and 7.2% for silver-Therminol®VP-1, copper-Therminol®VP-1 and Al2O3-Therminol®VP-1, respectively when the concentration ratio is 113. With increasing concentration ratios, the increase in thermal efficiency at a concentration ratio of 113 was shown to be about 5% higher than the increase at a concentration ratio of 88. The optimal thermal performance was nearly at the same flow rate of about 22.5 m³ h⁻¹ for all the nanofluids and concentration ratios. The optimal thermodynamic performance for low exergy destruction was mainly dependent on the inlet temperature used. Correlations for the Reynolds numbers that give improved thermodynamic performance were derived and presented.
Direct steam generation in parabolic-trough collectors is considered a promising option for reducing the cost of electricity produced in solar thermal power plants. Indeed, the use of water instead of thermal oil allows reaching high temperature levels and reducing plant complexity. Furthermore, the integration of thermal energy storage system and the hybridization of the plant with a biomass boiler permit further cost reduction. This paper focuses on the historical and technological development of the direct steam generation concept and the thermoeconomic analysis of a hybrid direct steam generation-biomass power plant equipped with a thermal energy storage system. The exergy balance and cost balance equations have been applied to each component of the plant in four different operating modes that take into account the intermittency of the solar source. Exergy results show that the solar field requires further development in order to reduce associated irreversibilities. Finally, it was found that the integration of a thermal energy storage system and hybridization with a biomass boiler reduce the final cost of electricity to 17.36c€/kW he.
