A Novel Non-Tracking Solar Collector for High Temperature Application
THE 25TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON EFFICIENCY, COST, OPTIMIZATION, SIMULATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF ENERGY SYSTEMS JUNE 26-29, 2012, PERUGIA, ITALY
Wattana Ratismith and Anusorn Inthongkhum
Energy Research Institute, Chulalongkorn University,10330, Bangkok, Thailand
Abstract:
A parabolic trough solar collector is improved the efficiency by a novel design of compound parabolic trough solar collector where the aim is three-fold. Firstly, one aim is to achieve day-long collection efficiency without the need for mechanical tracking of the sun. Secondly, the collector must be designed to operate efficiently under diffuse solar irradiation as experienced for example in rainforest climate. Thirdly, one seeks to achieve as a high an output temperature as possible. Newly developed system consists of multiple compound parabolic troughs facing the sun at different angles. The salient feature of this design is that the system can collect the sunlight energy at every angle without any moving parts at the same time can receive the diffused light, the maximum efficiency of the collector is 32% and has an ability to achieve high output temperature, the maximum temperature at header of evacuated tube is 235 degrees Celsius, and is therefore suitable for high temperature application such as industrial uses or cooling application.
