Wind loads on Linear Fresnel Reflectors' technology: a numerical study

The wind effect on the Fresnel technology is one of the main design stresses for the metallic structure, primary reflectors, receivers and solar tracking system. Therefore, in order to quantify its impact and compare it to a more mature technology (the Parabolic Trough), a first study of the wind load on a Linear Fresnel Reflector (LFR) collector with an air-stable absorber tube receiver (with protective cover glass) has been undertaken. The drag, lift and momentum coefficients of the receiver and primary reflectors have been calculated using a bi-dimensional CFD model based on the COMSOL Multiphysics (R) software. The impact of the transversal wind speed has been studied. Moreover, the interaction between the receiver and the primary reflectors has been quantified. Finally, a comparison to Parabolic Trough collectors has been made, which confirms the much lower wind load of LFR technology for an equal mirror aperture area, and thus the much lighter structures required for resisting these wind loads and/or the larger operation range with respect to wind speed. (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.