Evaluation of Heat Flux Distribution Uniformity around the Receiver Tube of Parabolic Trough Collector based on Six Statistical and Geometrical Indices

In addition to the total amount of heat flux (HF), its distribution around the receiver tube has an outstanding effect on the outlet temperature (T-0) and thermal efficiency (eta(th)) of parabolic trough collectors (PTCs). According to former researches, whatever the heat flux around the receiver tube is more uniform, the collector efficiency increases. But no index has yet been provided for the evaluation of HF distribution. In this paper, the quality of HF distribution around the receiver tube of LS-3 PTC is investigated by definition of six statistical and geometrical indices, including S.D, A.E, Int, Avg, U-st, and B-st. To investigate these indices, first, the HF around the receiver tube should be varied by the change of focal length (f) and using Compound Parabolic Concentrator (CPC). Second, the above-mentioned indices are calculated based on the statistical formulations. Third, the receiver tubes affected by the miscellaneous HF distributions (as boundary conditions) are simulated using one validated numerical method. Finally, the correlations between the specified indices and T-0 are investigated. According to the results, the index of Int indicates the number of sun rays hit on the receiver tube. Thus this index can represent optical efficiency (eta(opt)). Also, the inverse of both U-st and B-st parameters are introduced as the indices of uniform HF around the receiving tube. In other words, the statistical and circumferential uniformities of HF values are two effective parameters in the definition of the HF uniformity. Meanwhile, the regression expresses the effect of U-st is 84 times more than B-st on T-0 and eta(th). Also, the overall efficiency can increase up to 2.61% using the CPC-type reflector. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The quality of heat flux distribution around the receiver tube of LS-3 PTC is investigated by defining six statistical and geometrical indices. Different HF distributions are simulated using validated numerical methods, with results showing that the index of Int represents the number of sun rays hitting the receiver tube. The inverse of U-st and B-st parameters are introduced as indices of uniform heat flux distribution, with U-st having a larger impact on T-0 and eta(th) compared to B-st.