Title: Design and theoretical performance analysis of linear Fresnel reflector solar concentrator with a tubular absorber

Authors: R. Manikumar; A. Valan Arasu

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kamaraj College of Engineering and Technology, Virudhunagar-626001, Tamil Nadu, India. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Madurai-625015, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract: A linear Fresnel reflector solar concentrator (LFRSC) system is used nowadays for operation at intermediate temperature ranges by using solar energy. Considerable attention is being paid to the design, fabrication and testing of solar concentrators. The performance of the system depends on the design parameters, mass flow rate, desired temperature difference, tracking accuracy, etc. In the present work, a MATLAB simulation program was developed to get the optimum values of the concentrator design parameters including width of the reflector, diameter of the tubular absorber and height of the absorber from the reflector plane. The optimum value of each design parameter was used to find the maximum concentrated power and concentration ratio. A detailed performance analysis including the effect of mass flow rate, fluid inlet temperature, concentrator aperture area, concentration ratio on the fluid outlet temperature and efficiency were made for four various reflective materials. Results have been plotted graphically and discussed.

Keywords: linear Fresnel reflector solar concentrators; LFRSC; concentrated power; concentration ratio; instantaneous collection efficiency; mass flow rate; optical efficiency; concentrator aperture area; solar energy; solar power; simulation; solar concentrator design.

DOI: 10.1504/IJRET.2012.047478

International Journal of Renewable Energy Technology, 2012 Vol.3 No.3, pp.221 - 236

Received: 21 Nov 2010
Accepted: 17 Jun 2011
Published online: 29 Oct 2014 *

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