Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Automated Stand for Measuring Thermal and Energy Characteristics of Solar Parabolic Trough Concentrators

  • SOLAR ENERGY CONCENTRATORS
  • Published:
Applied Solar Energy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper analyzes the optical, geometric, and thermal characteristics of a solar parabolic trough collector, which consists of an optical concentrator, cylindrical heat receiver, and Sun-tracking system. Optical-geometric and energy parameters such as geometric concentration, aperture width, coverage angle, receiver diameter, focal length, energy distribution, and energy concentration are considered. The analysis shows that the shape (angle of incidence) of solar radiation has a great influence on the optical-energy characteristics of the parabolic trough collector. An increase in the coverage angle increases the maximum geometric concentration and concentrator accuracy parameter, while a decrease in the receiver diameter increased the density of the reflected sunlight in the focal plane. Since a larger coverage angle usually indicates a larger span of the circumferential angle of the absorber, it is possible to obtain higher concentrated solar radiation from the reflector than the original low solar radiation directly from the Sun. On the basis of the analysis, an automated stand has been developed for measuring the thermal and energy characteristics of solar parabolic trough collectors. The experimental setup consists of a parabolic trough collector, a measuring tank, a converter, a meter, a level gauge, temperature sensors, and electric valves. Consumption (energy generated) is measured with a graduated water tank. By measuring the volume and temperature of the water passed through the solar collector, it is possible to estimate its efficiency. When the graduated tank is full, the discrete-output level gauge opens the electrical drain valve. The energy characteristics of the solar parabolic trough plant are determined on the basis of statistical processing of the experimental data.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 4.
Fig. 5.

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  1. Lovegrove, K. and Stein, W., Concentrating Solar Power Technology. Principles, Developments and Applications, Woodhead Publishing Series in Energy, vol. 21, Cambridge: Woodhead, 2012, 1st ed.

  2. Amir Shahsavari and Morteza Akbari, Potential of solar energy in developing countries for reducing energy-related emissions, Renewable Sustainable Energy Rev., 2018, vol. 90, pp. 275–291. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2018.03.065

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Valenzuela, L., et al., Optical and thermal performance of large-size parabolic-trough solar collectors from outdoor experiments: A test method and a case study, Energy, 2014, vol. 70, pp. 456–464. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2014.04.016

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Manikandanetal, G.K., Enhancing the optical and thermal efficiency of a parabolic trough collector—A review, Appl. Energy, 2019, vol. 235, pp. 1524–1540. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2018.11.048

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Hamzeh Jamali, Investigation and review of mirrors reflectance in parabolic trough solar collectors (PTSCs), Energy Rep., 2019, vol. 5, pp. 145–158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2019.01.006

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. El Ydrissi, M., et al., Techno-economic study of the impact of mirror slope errors on the overall optical and thermal efficiencies—case study: Solar parabolic trough concentrator evaluation under semi-arid climate, Renewable Energy, 2020, vol. 161, pp. 293–308. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2020.07.015

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Zhao, Z., et al., Experimental study of pin finned receiver tubes for a parabolic trough solar air collector, Sol. Energy, 2020, vol. 207, pp. 91–102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2020.06.070

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Abdurakhmanov, A.A., Kuchkarov, A.A., Mamatkosimov, M.A., et al., The optimization of the optical-geometric characteristics of mirror concentrating systems, Appl. Sol. Energy, 2014, vol. 50, pp. 244–251. https://doi.org/10.3103/S0003701X14040033

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Zakhidov, R.A. and Klychev, Sh.I., Maximum concentrating power of parabolic trough mirrors, Appl. Sol. Energy, 1993, vol. 29, no. 4, pp. 56–58.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Mukhitdinov, M.M. and Ergashev, S.F., Solnechnye parabolotsilindricheskie ustanovki (Solar Parabolic Trough Plants), Tashkent: Fan, 1995.

  11. Klychev, Sh.I., Zakhidov, R.A., Bakhramov, S.A., et al., Solar radiation concentration in parabolic trough system with focusing wedge, Appl. Sol. Energy, 2009, vol. 45, no. 2, pp. 99–101.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Kuchkarov, A., et al., Calculation of thermal and exergy efficiency of solar power units with linear radiation concentrators, Appl. Sol. Energy, 2020, vol. 56, no. 1, pp. 42–46. https://doi.org/10.3103/S0003701X20010089

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Kalogirou, S.A., Parabolic trough collectors for industrial process heat in Cyprus, Energy, 2002, vol. 27, no. 9, pp. 813–830.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Martinot, E., Renewables 2005. Global Status Report, Washington, DC: Worldwatch Institute, 2005. www.ren21.net.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Popel, O.S., Efficiency of using solar water heaters in the climatic conditions of central Russia, Energosberezhenie, 2001, no. 1.

  16. Vissarionov, V.I., Belkina, S.V., Deryugina, G.V., Kuznetsova, V.A., and Malinin, N.K., Energeticheskoe oborudovanie dlya ispol’zovaniya netraditsionnykh i vozobnovlyaemykh istochnikov energii. Spravochnik (Power Equipment for the Use of Non-traditional and Renewable Energy Sources. Reference Book), Vissarionov, V.I., Ed., Moscow: VIEN, 2004.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Mathur, S.S., Kandpal, T.C., and Negi, B.S., Optical design and concentration characteristics of linear Fresnel reflector solar concentrators. Mirror elements of varying width, Energy Convers. Manage., 1991, vol. 31, no. 3, pp. 205–219.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Klychev, Sh.I., Mukhitdinov, M.M., Bakhramov, S.A., et al., Calculation methodology for the parabolic trough collector–tube receiver system for solar thermal power plants, Geliotekhnika, 2004, no. 4, pp. 50–54.

  19. Ergashev, S.F., Effectiveness of solar water-lift system with parabolic cylindrical solar energy collector and jet pump, Appl. Sol. Energy, 2007, vol. 43, pp. 17–18. https://doi.org/10.3103/S0003701X07010069

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Umarov, G.Ya., Zakhidov, R.A., and Vainer, A.A., Teoriya i raschet geliotekhnicheskikh kontsentriruyushchikh sistem (Theory and Calculation of Solar Concentrating Systems), Tashkent: FAN, 1977.

  21. Ergashev, S.F. and Nigmatov, U.Zh., Solar parabolic trough installations, design features and calculation of individual parameters, Universum: Tekh. Nauki: Elektron. Nauchn. Zh., 2020, no. 11 (80). https://7universum.com/ru/tech/archive/item/10890 .

  22. Kuchkarov, A.A., Kholov, S.R., Abdumuminov, A.A., et al., Optical energy characteristics of the optimal module of a solar composite parabolic-cylindrical plant, Appl. Sol. Energy, 2018, vol. 54, pp. 293–296. https://doi.org/10.3103/S0003701X18040114

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Akhmedov, Kh., Akbarov, Sh.K., Zakhidov, R.A., et al., The concentrating power of composite parabolic cylindrical concentrators, Geliotekhnika, 2001, no. 2, pp. 53–57.

  24. Aparisi, P.P., Experimental setup for obtaining high temperatures, Ispol’zovanie solnechnoi energii (The Use of Solar Energy), Moscow: Izd. Akad. Nauk SSSR, 1957, pp. 151–152.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Kuchkarov, A.A., Lineino-kontsentriruyushchie sistemy solnechnogo izlucheniya (Solnechnye kontsentratory energeticheskogo naznacheniya) (Linear Concentrating Systems of Solar Radiation (Solar Energy Concentrators)), Palmarium Academic Publishing, 2019. www.amazon.com/Lineino-kontsentriruyushchie-sistemy-solnechnogo-izlucheniya-energeticheskogo/dp/ 6202383577.

  26. Ergashev, S.F., Otakulov, O.Kh., Abdurakhmonov, S.M., and Yusupov, E.A., An automated stand for measuring, recording and processing the results of the energy characteristics of solar parabolic trough plants, Materialy V mezhdunarodnoi konferentsii “Opticheskie i fotoelektricheskie yavleniya v poluprovodnikovykh mikro- i nanostrukturakh” (Proc. V International Conference “Optical and Photoelectric Phenomena in Semiconductor Micro- and Nanostructures”), Fergana, 2020, pp. 363–366.

Download references

Funding

The study was carried out as part of the state program of the Ministry of Innovative Development of the Republic of Uzbekistan under the project of fundamental research T-F-3-19 of the Fergana Polytechnic Institute.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tashkent University of Information Technologies, Fergana Branch, 150118, Fergana, Uzbekistan

    Yo. A. Yusupov

  2. Fergana Polytechnic Institute, 150107, Fergana, Uzbekistan

    O. H. Otaqulov, S. F. Ergashev & A. A. Kuchkarov

Authors
  1. Yo. A. Yusupov
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. O. H. Otaqulov
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. S. F. Ergashev
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. A. A. Kuchkarov
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. A. Kuchkarov.

Additional information

Translated by M. Chubarova

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Yusupov, Y.A., Otaqulov, O.H., Ergashev, S.F. et al. Automated Stand for Measuring Thermal and Energy Characteristics of Solar Parabolic Trough Concentrators. Appl. Sol. Energy 57, 216–222 (2021). https://doi.org/10.3103/S0003701X21030117

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.3103/S0003701X21030117

Keywords:

Search

Navigation