Wind load and structural analysis for standalone solar parabolic trough collector

• Published in: Renewable energy Vol. 173; pp. 688 - 703
• Main Authors: Natraj, Rao, B.N., Reddy, K.S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2021
• Subjects: Parabolic trough collector; Slope deviation; Solar energy; Wind analysis; Wind analysis; Slope deviation; Parabolic trough collector; Solar energy
• ISSN: 0960-1481; 1879-0682
• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2021.04.007

Solar energy is one of the emerging technologies and the use of concentrating power technology is increasing in solar power plants. Parabolic trough collector is a concentrating solar power technology that is situated in the open terrain and subjected to wind loads. The structural stability of these devices under such loads determines the ability to accurately concentrate the rays at the absorber tube, which affects the overall optical and thermal efficiencies. A detailed numerical analysis is carried out at different wind loads and design conditions. It is observed that for a change in velocity from 5 m/s to 25 m/s, slope deviations increase from 1.21 mrad to 3.11 mrad at the surface of the reflector exceeding the shape quality of the mirror panels. Higher yaw angles and pitch angles of 60° and 120° are observed to be decisive in the design of collectors. Roof-mounted collectors experience a 40% higher drag force than ground-mounted collectors at a 0° pitch angle. For the Aluminium trough, the slope deviation at the surface of the reflector is higher by 4.62% than glass. The study will be helpful for engineers and scientists in the design of the parabolic trough collectors. •Estimation of displacement and slope deviations caused due to the wind and gravity load.•Maximum displacements are 36.5% higher at 60° yaw angle than 0°.•Higher yaw angles are decisive in the design of collectors.•Drag force increases nearly 25 times for change in velocity from 5 m/s to 25 m/s.•Pitch angles of 60° and 120° are decisive in the design of parabolic trough collector.