Studies on performance characteristics of a solar parabolic trough concentrator with a variable area absorber

The design of a suitable absorber that incorporates an efficient heat transfer augmentation technique is one of the vital parameters that affect the performance of a solar parabolic trough concentrator (PTC). The variable area absorber discussed in this paper provides appreciable augmentation in heat transfer without increasing the pressure drop materially and thus helps in enhancing the performance efficiency of PTC significantly. A computer aided parametric study of this phenomena has been dealt in this paper. The performance of PTC of proposed design has been analysed mathematically and a rigorous simulation model has been developed. The mathematical analysis has been substantiated by elaborate experimental data.

Keywords: parabolic trough concentrator, focusing collectors, variable area absorbers, VAA, heat transfer augmentation, simulation, mathematical modelling, economical design, renewable energy, solar energy, solar power, absorber design