Title: Performance analysis of linear Fresnel reflector concentrating solar system with varying reflector width using analytical and ray trace techniques

Authors: M. Babu; A. Valan Arasu

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kings College of Engineering, Pudukkottai 613303, Tamil Nadu, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Madurai 625015, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract: In this paper, a theoretical model of linear Fresnel reflector concentrating solar (LFRCS) system encompassing all the governing parameters is developed by taking into account the influences of parameters on the designs output. The design of linear Fresnel reflector (LFR) system with horizontal absorber performance is evaluated major from the insight of concentration ratio. The parameters for this system are derived from its geometrical representation. The effect of different design parameters on the concentration ratio is thoroughly investigated. The formulae being iterative in nature are solved computationally using programs written in MATLAB. Optimal design parameters are selected so as to minimise the material and land requirements. The concentration ratio obtained by the analytical technique is 31.44 and the concentrated power obtained is 3 kW. Ray trace technique is used to investigate the distribution of local concentration ratio (LCR) on the surface of the absorber for the design.

Keywords: solar power; solar energy; LFR design; linear Fresnel reflector; horizontal absorber; varying width; LCR; local concentration ratio; analytical techniques; ray tracing; concentration ratio; concentrated power; performance evaluation.

DOI: 10.1504/PIE.2015.073092

Progress in Industrial Ecology, An International Journal, 2015 Vol.9 No.2, pp.121 - 134

Received: 11 Apr 2015
Accepted: 26 Jul 2015
Published online: 16 Nov 2015 *

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