Design, Evaluation, and Testing of a Moderately Concentrating, Nontracking Solar Energy Collector

1981 ◽  
Vol 103 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Olvera ◽  
R. B. Bannerot
Keyword(s):  
Solar Energy ◽  
Heat Loss ◽  
Thermal Performance ◽  
Heat Recovery ◽  
Concentration Ratio ◽  
Side Wall ◽  
Recovery Factor ◽  
Design Evaluation ◽  
Optical Efficiency ◽  
Overall Heat Loss Coefficient

The thermal performance of a moderately concentrating, nontracking, trough-like solar energy collector is predicted based on a series of experimental evaluations of its components. Four reflector designs were constructed and tested. Two were one-facet side wall (reflector) designs; two were two-facet designs. Six simple tubular, nonevacuated receiver designs were tested. A collector utilizing one of the reflector designs, geometric concentration ratio of 2.6, and one of the receiver designs was constructed and tested. The predicted performance (an effective overall heat loss coefficient of 4.6 W/m2–°C, an optical efficiency of 0.71 and a heat recovery factor of 0.95) closely approximated the actual thermal performance of the collector. The component evaluations are discussed in such detail that the analysis could easily be extended to other designs by the reader.

scholarly journals Thermodynamic Analysis of a Conceptual Fixed-Bed Solar Thermochemical Cavity Receiver–Reactor Array for Water Splitting Via Ceria Redox Cycling

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Song Yang ◽  
Lifeng Li ◽  
Bo Wang ◽  
Sha Li ◽  
Jun Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gas Phase ◽  
Thermal Performance ◽  
Heat Recovery ◽  
Concentration Ratio ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Fuel Efficiency ◽  
Fixed Bed ◽  
Redox Cycling ◽  
Linear Matrix ◽  
Solar Thermochemical

We propose a novel solar thermochemical receiver–reactor array concept for hydrogen production via ceria redox cycling. The receiver–reactor array can improve the solar-to-fuel efficiency by realizing the heat recuperation, reduction, and oxidation processes synchronously. A linear matrix model and a lumped parameter model are developed to predict thermal performance of the new solar thermochemical system. The system thermal performance is characterized by heat recovery effectiveness of solid-phase and solar-to-fuel efficiency. Investigated parameters include reduction temperature, oxygen partial pressure, number of receiver–reactors, concentration ratio, and gas-phase heat recovery effectiveness. For baseline conditions, the solid-phase heat recovery effectiveness and the solar-to-fuel efficiency are found to be 81% and 27%, respectively. For perfect gas-phase heat recovery and a solar concentration ratio of 5,000, the solar-to-fuel efficiency exceeds 40%.

Thermal performance assessment of a cylindrical box solar cooker fitted with decahedron outer reflector

2021 ◽  
pp. 0958305X2110707
Author(s):  
B C Anilkumar ◽  
Ranjith Maniyeri ◽  
S Anish
Keyword(s):  
Heat Loss ◽  
Figure Of Merit ◽  
Average Energy ◽  
Loss Coefficient ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Superior Performance ◽  
Renewable Energy Resources ◽  
Minimum Entropy ◽  
Optical Efficiency ◽  
Overall Heat Loss Coefficient

One of the important issues humankind globally faces in recent years is the scarcity of non-renewable energy resources. Solar energy is considered safe and renewable, which can fulfil the demand and supply chain requirements. Solar box cookers (SBCs) are popular in domestic cooking due to their ease of use and handling. The prime objective of the present work is to develop and test the performance of a cylindrical SBC fitted with decahedron-shaped reflector (CSBC-FDR). The CSBC is designed using minimum entropy generation (MEG) method. Through experiments, we observed that absorber plate attains peak temperature of about 138°C–150°C with the aid of decahedron reflector. The first figure of merit (F1) is found to be 0.13, indicating better optical efficiency and low heat loss coefficient for the SBC. The second figure of merit (F2) is obtained as 0.39, which indicates good heat exchange efficiency (F') and less heat capacity for cooker's interior. The average energy efficiency, exergy efficiency, and standardized cooking power values are 21.93%, 3.04%, and 25.28W, respectively. These results show that the present CSBC-FDR is able to cook food in a shorter period with better efficiency. The experimental and numerical values of overall heat loss coefficient of the developed SBC are in close agreement. The experimentally assessed performance parameters reveal superior performance of the present cylindrical SBC in comparison with many conventional rectangular and trapezoidal box solar cookers.

Heat Transfer and Thermal Balance Analysis of an Aluminum Electrolysis Cell Side Lines: A Heat Recovery Capability and Feasibility Study

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaser Mollaei Barzi ◽  
Mohsen Assadi
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Heat Loss ◽  
Heat Recovery ◽  
Side Wall ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Energy Utilization ◽  
Heat Extraction ◽  
Electrolysis Cell ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
Side Walls

In this study, a preliminary investigation is carried out concerning the possibility and feasibility of recovering part of the side walls heat loss to use it in an energy utilization system. For this purpose, a simple smart heat transfer model is developed for the aluminum smelter side lines accounting for the dynamic ledge profile variations and phase change. Using the model, the total side wall heat loss is estimated and evaluated in different operating conditions of the cell. The system flexibility and self-adjustment ability are taken in to account to find the appropriate solution for the heat extraction system. Using the above-mentioned analysis, the heat recovery strategy and also the possible and applicable alternatives for the side walls heat collection and utilization system are investigated.

Heat Transfer Performance of a Parabolic Trough Receiver Using SWCNTs-Therminol®VP-1 Nanofluids

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aggrey Mwesigye ◽  
Josua P. Meyer
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Solar Energy ◽  
Thermal Performance ◽  
Thermal Efficiency ◽  
Concentration Ratio ◽  
Heat Transfer Performance ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Transfer Performance ◽  
Parabolic Trough ◽  
Flow Rates

In this paper, the potential for improved thermal performance of a high concentration ratio parabolic trough solar energy system working with high thermal conductivity single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and Therminol®VP-1 nanofluid is numerically investigated. In the numerical analysis, the practical heat flux profiles expected for parabolic trough receivers were obtained using Monte-Carlo ray tracing and coupled with a computational fluid dynamics tool using user defined functions to investigate the thermal performance of the parabolic trough solar energy system. A parabolic trough system with a concentration ratio of 113 was considered in this study and heat transfer fluid inlet temperatures between 400 K and 650 K were used. The volume fraction of SWCNTs in the base fluid was in the range 0% to 2.5% and the flow rates used were in the range 0.82 to 69.41 m3/h. Results show improvements in the convective heat transfer performance and receiver thermal efficiency as well as a considerable reduction of the receiver thermal losses with increasing volume fractions. The heat transfer performance increases up to 64% while the thermal efficiency increases by about 4.4%. Higher increments are observed at low flow rates and inlet temperatures. The receiver thermodynamic performance also increases significantly with the use of nanofluids. Entropy generation rates reduce by about 30% for the range of parameters considered.

Sustainable Cooling with Hybrid Concentrated Photovoltaic Thermal (CPVT) System and Hydrogen Energy Storage

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 40-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Burhan ◽  
Muhammad Wakil Shahzad ◽  
Kim Choon Ng
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Solar Energy ◽  
Optimization Algorithm ◽  
Concentration Ratio ◽  
Cooling System ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Hydrogen Energy ◽  
Adsorption Chiller ◽  
Back Plate

Standalone power systems have vital importance as energy source for remote area. On the other hand, a significant portion of such power production is used for cooling purposes. In this scenario, renewable energy sources provide sustainable solution, especially solar energy due to its global availability. Concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) system provides highest efficiency photovoltaic technology, which can operate at x1000 concentration ratio. However, such high concentration ratio requires heat dissipation from the cell area to maintain optimum temperature. This paper discusses the size optimization algorithm of sustainable cooling system using CPVT. Based upon the CPV which is operating at x1000 concentration with back plate liquid cooling, the CPVT system size is optimized to drive a hybrid mechanical vapor compression (MVC) chiller and adsorption chiller, by utilizing both electricity and heat obtained from the solar system. The electrolysis based hydrogen is used as primary energy storage system along with the hot water storage tanks. The micro genetic algorithm (micro-GA) based optimization algorithm is developed to find the optimum size of each component of CPVT-Cooling system with uninterrupted power supply and minimum cost, according to the developed operational strategy. The hybrid system is operated with solar energy system efficiency of 71%.

scholarly journals Study on the Variable-Temperature Drying Process of Corn Drying in an Industrial Corn-Drying System Equipped with a Self-Adaptive Control Heat Exchanger

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 2772
Author(s):  
Bin Li ◽  
Zhiheng Zeng ◽  
Xuefeng Zhang ◽  
Ye Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Adaptive Control ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Heat Loss ◽  
Thermal Performance ◽  
Variable Temperature ◽  
The Other ◽  
Drying Process ◽  
Drying Kinetic ◽  
Drying System ◽  
Self Adaptive

To realize energy-saving and efficient industrial grain drying, the present work studied the variable-temperature drying process of corn drying in a novel industrial corn-drying system with a heat recycling and self-adaptive control function. The drying kinetics, thermal performance, heat-loss characteristics and the heat-recycling performance of the drying system under different allocations between flue gas and hot air were investigated, and the optimized drying process was proposed and compared with two constant drying processes. The results showed that the optimized drying process exhibited better drying kinetic and thermal performance than the two constant drying processes. More specifically, the total heat loss, total energy consumption and specific energy consumption of the optimized drying process were ascertained to be 36,132.85 MJ, 48,803.99 MJ and 7290.27 kJ/kg, respectively, which were lower than those of the other two processes. On the other hand, the thermal efficiency of the drying chamber for the optimized drying process was ascertained to be varied within the range of 6.81–41.71%. Overall, the validation results showed that the optimized drying process can significantly improve the drying performance of the drying system.

Evacuated Tube Heat Pipe Solar Collectors Applied to Recirculation Loop in a Federal Building: SSA Philadelphia

Solar Energy ◽  
2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andy Walker ◽  
Fariborz Mahjouri ◽  
Robert Stiteler
Keyword(s):  
Solar Energy ◽  
Heat Pipe ◽  
Heat Loss ◽  
Heating System ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Solar Array ◽  
Solar Collectors ◽  
Water Heating ◽  
Evacuated Tube ◽  
Recirculation Loop

This paper describes design, simulation, construction and measured initial performance of a solar water heating system (360 Evacuated Heat-Pipe Collector tubes, 54 m2 gross area, 36 m2 net absorber area) installed at the top of the hot water recirculation loop in the Social Security Mid-Atlantic Center in Philadelphia. Water returning to the hot water storage tank is heated by the solar array when solar energy is available. This new approach, as opposed to the more conventional approach of preheating incoming water, is made possible by the thermal diode effect of heat pipes and low heat loss from evacuated tube solar collectors. The simplicity of this approach and its low installation costs makes the deployment of solar energy in existing commercial buildings more attractive, especially where the roof is far removed from the water heating system, which is often in the basement. Initial observed performance of the system is reported. Hourly simulation estimates annual energy delivery of 111 GJ/year of solar heat and that the annual efficiency (based on the 54 m2 gross area) of the solar collectors is 41%, and that of the entire system including parasitic pump power, heat loss due to freeze protection, and heat loss from connecting piping is 34%. Annual average collector efficiency based on a net aperture area of 36 m2 is 61.5% according to the hourly simulation.

Effect of Corrugated Cover Directional Transmittance on the Thermal Performance of a Solar Collector

1981 ◽  
Vol 103 (2) ◽  
pp. 144-152
Author(s):  
T. F. Smith ◽  
S. Chaidar
Keyword(s):  
Solar Energy ◽  
Periodic Function ◽  
Thermal Performance ◽  
Solar Collector ◽  
Radiative Heat ◽  
Structural Strength ◽  
Heat Losses ◽  
Light Weight ◽  
Fiberglass Composite ◽  
Reduced Costs

The benefits of light weight, structural strength, and reduced costs without significant reduction of transmission of solar energy of a corrugated fiberglass composite cover promise wide utilization of this cover in solar collectors to suppress convective and radiative heat losses from the absorber panel. In order to evaluate the thermal performance of a collector with a corrugated cover, the directional transmittance of the cover must be available. A study was undertaken to develop a model for the directional transmittance of a corrugated cover as represented by a sinusoidal periodic function. As an application of this model, hourly and daily thermal efficiencies of a solar collector with a corrugated cover are presented.

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