Influence of reflector installation errors on optical-thermal performance of parabolic trough collectors based on a MCRT - FVM coupled model

A three-dimensional optical-thermal model of parabolic trough solar collector (PTC) based on Monte Carlo Ray Tracing (MCRT) method and Finite Volume Method (FVM) was proposed. The simulation results are compared with experimental data to verify the feasibility and reasonability of the model. The model was used to analyze the effect of reflector installation errors on PTC performance. The results showed that the optical efficiency of about 82.61% and the collector efficiency of approximately 68.22% can be maintained if the reflector installation error (theta) is kept lower than 7 mrad. Compared with the case of unilateral installation error, the optical efficiency and the collector efficiency caused by bilateral installation error decrease faster as reflector installation error increased when the theta > 7 mrad. The increase of the peak value of the local concentration ratio (LCR) is observed under the conditions of theta(left) = 0, theta(right) = 0 and theta(right) = -theta(left) = 0 compared with the non-deformation case, indicating that the receiver may occur local overheating, which may shorten the service life of the receiver. Among them, the bilateral error with a geometry of theta(right) = -theta(left) = 7 mrad damages the optical performance and thermal performance of PTC more seriously. (c) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

A three-dimensional optical-thermal model of parabolic trough solar collector (PTC) was proposed using Monte Carlo Ray Tracing (MCRT) method and Finite Volume Method (FVM). The model was validated by comparing simulation results with experimental data. It was found that the optical efficiency and collector efficiency of PTC can be maintained at high levels when the reflector installation error is kept below a certain value.