Three-dimensional numerical study of heat transfer characteristics in the receiver tube of parabolic trough solar collector

• Published in: International communications in heat and mass transfer Vol. 37; no. 7; pp. 782 - 787
• Main Authors: Cheng, Z.D., He, Y.L., Xiao, J., Tao, Y.B., Xu, R.J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Computer simulation; Coupled heat transfer; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equipments, installations and applications; Exact sciences and technology; Flux; Heat transfer; Heat transfer characteristics; Mathematical models; Monte Carlo methods; Monte Carlo Ray-Trace Method; Natural energy; Parabolic trough collector; Receivers; Solar collectors; Solar energy; Solar energy flux distribution; Solar thermal conversion; Theoretical studies. Data and constants. Metering; Tubes; Heat transfer characteristics; Parabolic trough collector; Solar energy flux distribution; Monte Carlo Ray-Trace Method; Coupled heat transfer
• ISSN: 0735-1933; 1879-0178
• DOI: 10.1016/j.icheatmasstransfer.2010.05.002

The solar energy flux distribution on the outer wall of the inner absorber tube of a parabolic solar collector receiver is calculated successfully by adopting the Monte Carlo Ray-Trace Method (MCRT Method). It is revealed that the non-uniformity of the solar energy flux distribution is very large. Three-dimensional numerical simulation of coupled heat transfer characteristics in the receiver tube is calculated and analyzed by combining the MCRT Method and the FLUENT software, in which the heat transfer fluid and physical model are Syltherm 800 liquid oil and LS2 parabolic solar collector from the testing experiment of Dudley et al., respectively. Temperature-dependent properties of the oil and thermal radiation between the inner absorber tube and the outer glass cover tube are also taken into account. Comparing with test results from three typical testing conditions, the average difference is within 2%. And then the mechanism of the coupled heat transfer in the receiver tube is further studied.