Parabolic trough solar concentrator performance using oil Heat transfer fluid

Abstract

This study involves an experimental analysis of parabolic trough solar collectors (PTSC) that
were designed, constructed, and assessed to evaluate their performance using evacuated tube
receivers for the production of heated transformer oil. The PTSCs employ aluminum sheets
configured as parabolic cylinders to concentrate and reflect solar radiation The glass tube
measured 1.50m in length A nickel foil-based reflective material was affixed to increase the
reflection process. The produced PTSC demonstrates considerable efficacy.
The uncoated PTSC1, at 11:45 am, with solar radiation intensity of 811 W/m² and ambient
temperature of 43°C, attained the maximum transformer oil temperature of 123°C and a thermal
efficiency of 38%. Conversely, the coated PTSC attained a temperature of 200°C and a thermal
efficiency of 52% under solar radiation intensity of 700 W/m² and an ambient temperature of
43°C. The results indicate that, at a rim angle of 45.41°, PTSC-2 featuring a black-coated
receiver tube outperforms PTCS-1 with a non-coated receiver tube.