Mathematical modelling and analysis of parabolic collector

Abstract

Abstract The emphasis on utilizing solar energy is increasing now-a-days. Solar collectors are used to absorb solar radiation and transfer the heat to a working substance. Parabolic trough solar collectors are employed in several applications including in solar power plants. A significant number of researches are being done and efforts are being made to enhance the performance of the solar collectors. In this analysis, we tested the performance of parabolic trough solar collector in different absorber tube conditions: bare copper tube, copper tube enclosed in a glass tube without any heat transfer fluid and with Nano fluid as heat transfer fluid. The experiment was performed with three different working fluids (Water, Ethylene glycol, CuO-water based Nano fluid) in each condition and in each case, instantaneous efficiency, optical efficiency, heat removal factors, inlet and outlet exergies have been calculated. The efficiency was observed to be greater when using Nano fluid as heat transfer fluid.