3-D numerical simulation of heat transfer and turbulent flow in a receiver tube of solar parabolic trough concentrator with louvered twisted-tape inserts

High temperature and higher-thermal efficiency for CSP cycles are main goals to improve trough collector's technologies. For a parabolic trough collector the major factor for optimum heat transfer from sun to the heat transfer fluid passing in the absorber tube is to have high convection heat transfer coefficient. Literature shows that absorber tubes with various tape inserts are used and recommended to produce high convection coefficient. Typical twisted-tape (TT) enhances heat exchange between tube surface and working fluid by generating turbulent swirling flow. In this study, enhancement of convection coefficient in the receiver tube of a solar parabolic trough concentrator that the absorber tube is equipped with a new perforated louvered twisted-tape (LTT) is studied numerically. For numerical simulations three different twist ratios (TR), TR=y/W= 2.67, 4, 5.33 (y is the length required for one twist and W is the width of the tape) are used in an experimental laboratory trough collector. Flow is assumed turbulent due to louvered perforated surface and rotational shape of the tape. For thermal boundary condition, non-uniform wall solar heat flux is determined by Soltrace code on the outer surface of the absorber tube. Heat transfer rate and pressure drop are determined for fully developed condition for several Reynolds numbers based on the tube diameter and flow mean velocity. Results show that the heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop increase significantly in comparison with a typical plain twisted-tape in the tube and a plain tube. (C) 2013 M. Yaghoubi. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license