Performance analyses and heat transfer optimization of parabolic trough receiver with a novel single conical strip insert

Parabolic trough collectors are the crucial component of the concentrated solar power plant, which can meet heat demand and mitigate energy shortages. However, their operation suffers from defects of high local temperature and poor wall temperature uniformity. To alleviate this issue, an enhanced parabolic trough receiver (PTR) with a novel single conical strip insert is proposed and numerically investigated in detail. Furthermore, the effects of structural parameters of the conical strip on the enhanced PTR are investigated, and multi-objective optimization is conducted to determine the optimal parameters. Finally, the performance of the optimal enhanced PTR is evaluated under different operating conditions. The results show two symmetrical longitudinal vortices are formed in the absorber tube due to the guidance of the conical strip, which is beneficial to enhancing fluid mixing and heat transfer. Accordingly, the temperature uniformity of the absorber tube and the actual efficiency are effectively improved. Compared to the smooth PTR, the tube wall temperature is dropped by up to 168 K, and the actual efficiency is improved by 3.3% at most. Moreover, the entropy generation and exergy destruction are reduced by 22.2%-49.3% and 30.6%-45.9%, respectively. This research may guide designing the PTR for efficient and safe operation.

Automated summary

This research proposes an enhanced parabolic trough receiver with a novel single conical strip insert and investigates its performance through numerical simulations. The results show that the conical strip improves the temperature uniformity of the absorber tube and the actual efficiency, while reducing entropy generation and exergy destruction.