Design, Test

and Mathematical Modeling

of Parabolic Trough Solar Collectors

Contents

Introduction

Design and manufacture of prototypes

PTC testing

Mathematical model of a PTC

Annual simulation of performances

Introduction

1/5

electric energy

thermal energy

55%

45%

data based on Italian energy consumption (source: Ministero Sviluppo Economico

Introduction
industrial
61%

residential
39%

data based on Italian energy consumption

(source: Ministero Sviluppo Economico)

1/5

Introduction

1/5

100-200C
= 4 Gtep
(Italy)

data based on Italian energy consumption (source: Ministero Sviluppo Economico

Design and Manufacture of Prototypes

Univpm.01: design concept

2/5

Design and Manufacture of Prototypes

Univpm.01

hand lay-up molding method

2/5

EPS-fiberglass sandwich =
all-in-one realization of the frame
and the parabolic shape

Design and Manufacture of Prototypes

Univpm.01

hand lay-up molding method

2/5

EPS-fiberglass sandwich =
all-in-one realization of the frame
and the parabolic shape

Design and Manufacture of Prototypes

Univpm.01

hand lay-up molding method

2/5

EPS-fiberglass sandwich =
all-in-one realization of the frame
and the parabolic shape

Design and Manufacture of Prototypes

Univpm.01

2/5

parabolic trough main

characteristics
Focal distance (F)
Rim angle (r)
Parabola length (Lc)
Aperture area (Aap)
Sandwich thickness (t)

0.25 m
/2 rad
2.10 m
1.85 m2
0.05 m

Design and Manufacture of Prototypes

Univpm.02

2/5

parabolic trough main

characteristics
focal distance (F) 0.550 m
rim angle (r)
/2 rad
parabola length (Lc) 2.525 m
aperture area (Aap) 5.770 m2
sandwich thickness (t) 0.05 m
receiver characteristics
25 mm
inner Al diameter (dri)
outer Al diameter (dre)
30 mm
inner glass diameter (dvi)
46 mm
48 mm
outer glass diameters (dve)
receiver surface (Are) 0.249 m2
concentration ratio
C=Aap/Are=23.17

Design and Manufacture of Prototypes

2/5

parabolic trough main

characteristics
focal distance (F) 0.550 m
rim angle (r)
/2 rad
VARTM
parabola length (Lc) 2.525 m
vacuum assisted
aperture area (Aap) 5.770 m2
resin transfer molding process
sandwich thickness (t) 0.05 m

Univpm.02

receiver characteristics
25 mm
inner Al diameter (dri)
outer Al diameter (dre)
30 mm
inner glass diameter (dvi)
46 mm
48 mm
outer glass diameters (dve)
receiver surface (Are) 0.249 m2
concentration ratio
C=Are/Aap=23.17

PTC testing
Tests on Univpm.01

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test bench elements

hydraulic circuit
movement system
instruments:
temperature, mass flow rate and DNI
water as working fluid
temperature range:
25-75C

PTC testing
Results of the tests

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PTC testing
Design and realization of a test
bench
able to work with water and heat
transfer oil
testing temperature tange 10 - 150C
tests in compliance of standards:
- ASHRAE St. 93/2010
- UNI-EN 12975

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Mathematical model of a PTC

Global efficiency

Thermal efficiency

and
Optical efficiency

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Mathematical model of a PTC

Geometrical effects
(optical model)

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Mathematical model of a PTC

Geometrical effects
(optical model)

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Mathematical model of a PTC

Geometrical effects
(optical model)

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Mathematical model of a PTC

Intercept factor
(optical model)
- materials
- manufacture and assembly
- operation

Random errors

Nonrandom errors (deterministc

values)
and

4/5

Mathematical model of a PTC

Intercept factor
(optical model)

Universal error parameters

4/5

Mathematical model of a PTC

Thermal model - definition

4/5

Mathematical model of a PTC

Thermal model remarks and
implementation

- fourth order nonlinear algebraic system

- properties of fluid and air considered as a function of
temperature
- iterative process for the solution of the system
- laminar, transitional and turbolent flow of the
fluid
- implementation for both atmospheric and evacuated
receiver
- implemented both for water and heat transfer oil as circulating
fluids

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Mathematical model of a PTC

4/5

Thermal model results

cal

Mathematical model of a PTC

4/5

good agreement between exp and calculated efficiencies

Thermal model results
average difference 3.82 %
max difference 14.05 %

cal
exp

Mathematical model of a PTC

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Thermal model results

cal
opt

Mathematical model of a PTC

Thermal model results

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Annual simulation of performance

5/5

Annual simulation of performance

Simulation results: average day of the month of
november

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Annual simulation of performance

Simulation results: monthly collected energy

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Annual simulation of performance

5/5

Simulation results: total energies

total DNI
fallen in PTC

producible
useful

Annual simulation of performance

5/5

Simulation results: total energies

PES = 0.85 MJ/m2