‘Available online at wwu.sciencedirect.com ScienceDirect Energy Procedia nergy Procedia $7 2014) 401 2013 ISES Solar World Congress Heat transfer analysis and modeling of a parabolic trough solar collector: an analysis Anténio Marcos de Oliveira Siqueira’; Paulo Eduardo Neves Gomes"; Larissa Torrezani Eliene Oliveira Lucas"; Geraldo Magela da Cruz Pereira’* Federal Univer of Vigo. Chemsry Departmen, ve, PH, Ralf tn, Vigoua (MG), 36870-200, rac Abstract In recent years a nationally and internationally concern about enerey production has been outstanding. The production of electricity in contrast (its increasing consumption, in addition to the environmental impact of is generation hasbeen subject of studies and research in order to find solutions to the problem. In this context, renewable energies are configured with a high potential to increasingly integrate energy matrix. In Brazil, the solar energy i intersting. in this regard, de to the area availabilty for installation of solr plants and 0 sola radiation incident dung the year. Thus, in order to encourage and ficlitate stadies around the parabolic slat concentrators used in these plants, the present work aims to develop and implement « mathematical model to calculate flow parameters and heat transfer applied 19 parabolic ough solar collectors. Asa result, a simple and handy software that allows variation of parameters of the concentrator was cfeted in order to evaluate its thermal performance. It pemits insertion of customized values and meteorological data ‘with greater flexibly, Results of numerical simulation shows thatthe mathematical model developed is reasonable and the program has shown tobe very useful as a desig tool, asi is possible to determine the thermal efficiency optical, thermal loses, among others, !m addition wo presenting the radial and axial temperature profile, anda time-based eliciency profile (© 2014 The Authors Published by Hever Li This ean. open acces ancl under the CC HY-NC-ND license (hpereativecommonsorgliensestby-ne-n4/3.09, Selection andor perseview under esponsitity of SES. 1. Introduction Parabolic trough collectors are the most developed technology with regard to electricity generation by solar thermal y [1], Parabolic trough power plants consist of large fields of parabolic trough collectors, a heat transfer fluid/steam generation system, @ Rankine steam turbine!generator cycle, and optional thermal storage andior fossil-fired backup systems. The collector field is made up of a large field of single-axiseracking parabolic trough solar collectors; itis ‘modular in nature and comprises many parallel rows of solar collectors, normally aligned on a north-south horizontal axis fey The parabolic tough collectors are reflectors curved around an axis in linear parabolic shape, which collet parallel rays around a single focus line, where a long pipe receiver is placed for heating the heat exchange fluid, The heat collector clement (HCE) consists of a stainless stee] tube with a selective coating of metal-ceramie enclosed by an evacuated + Comesponding autho Tel Ema adres anon sigue 1876-6102 © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ld. Ths is an open acess arile under the CC BY.NC-ND license (eupiereaivecommonsorpiceseahy-ne-ni3. 0), Selection and/or per review under responsiblity of SES. oi: 10.1016}.egypro.2014.10.193402 Antonio Marcor de O ira Siquira et al. / Energy Procedia 57 (2014) 401 —410 antireflective glass tube. The vacuum envelope primarily serves to significantly reduce thermal losses at high operating temperatures and to protect the surface of the absorber from oxidation. The vacuum in the LICE should be below the conduction band Knudsen gas to reduce convective losses in the annular space, which is typically maintained close to 0.0001 mm Hg. The metal-ceramie multilayer cover is placed over the steel tube to provide optimum optical properties with high absorptivity of direct solar radiation and low thermal emissivity at the temperature of operation to reduce eat radiation, The glass eylinder has an otter antireflective coating to reduce Fresnel reflective losses from glass surface, ‘maximizing the solar transmittance [2] A detailed solar power plant simulation and analysis ofits components is needed forthe design of parabolic trough solar systems. Thus, a heat transfer analysis and modeling of a parabolic trough solar collector are presented inthis paper. The proposed methodology is used to obtain optimum parameters and conditions such as operating conditions and parasitic Tosses. This steady state, single and bidimensional model comprises the fundamental radiative and convective heat transfer and energy balance relations programmed in Visual Basic NET language. It considers the effects of solar intensity and incident angle, collector dimensions, material properties, fuid properties, ambient conditions and operating conditions on the performance of the collector for use in a power plant Nomenclature accommodation coefficien Acs cross-sectional area b interaction coelicient D diameter Jf ftietion factor convection coefficient k conduction coefficient Nu Nusselt number P pressure Pe perimeter ofthe bracket Pr Prandtl number 4! heat transfer rate per unit length Ra Rayleigh number Re Reynolds number T temperature Greeks Y specific heat ratio 5 molecular diameter © emissivity 6 direct normal solar incidence angleAmtinio Marcos de Oliveira Sigueia eta. / Energy Procedia $7 (2014) 401 410 molecular mean free path nm — piconstan @ ——Stefan-Boltzmann constant Subseript 1 eat wansfer uid 2 absorber tube inner surface 3 absorber tube outer surface 4 glass envelope inner surface S glass envelope outer surface 6 ambient 7 oy abs absorber tube ap aperture cond conduction conv convection env glass envelope hhce heat colletor element rad radiation std standard conditions SolAbs solar absorption408 Antonio Marco de Oliveira Sigueira etal. / Energy Procedia 5? (2014) 401 410, 2. Heat transfer modsling ‘The heat transfer analysis ean star with unidimensional model at radius direction and then expand de concepts along, the flow direction in a bidimensional model [3]- This unidimensional assumes that all temperatures, heat fuxes and thermodynamic properties are uniform around the HCE ircumference unless indicated different ‘The unidimensional analysis system covers al the equations of energy balance between the HTF and the atmosphere, necessary 10 estimate the terms ofthis balance, which may depend on th type of solar collector, the condition of the HCE, the optical properties and conditions of environment (Fig. 1~Simpifed sshmatc ofa fragment of HCE © @ (yur (2) Inne surface ofthe absorber tube (3) Outer suface ofthe absorber tube (4) nce surface ofthe glass envelope (5) Outer surface ofthe glass envelope (6) Ambient ( Sky 6) Fig | ~Simplifed schematic of fragment of HE Convection is one of the heat transfer process. It comprises the heat transfer uid (HIT), the annulus between the absorber and glass envelope and outside of the glass envelope. Newton's law of cooling should be used in these cases, with f= Nu k/D: Gone = RDA Thoe — Testa) o ‘The HIF convection (@;2conv) depends on Nusselt number in laminae condition, Nu = 48/11; or turbulent condition, with adapted Gnielinski correlation [4], valid for 0.5 Pry $2000 and 3000 SReS5x10®, where all the fuid properties ae evaluated at the ITTF average temperature ny = LLB CRe= 1000) op, py yor 2 14:127(5/8)"(Pr.3 1) ‘The friction factor (f) can be calculated with Petukhov corelation valid for 3000 Re < 5 X 10% f = (0.790 In Re — 1,64)- 8) Outside the glass envelope forced convection can happen in presence of wind. In this case should be used the Zukauskas's contlation, valid for 0.7 S Pr S500 and 1S Re S 108 [4], where n= 0.37, for Pre 10 orn= 0.36, for Pr, = 10, and coefciens for determining the Nusselt number are described by Ineropera and DeWitt [4} Mum creme (2) ° Otherwise, natural convection is held in absence of wind with Churchill and Chu correlation forthe Nusselt number in a Jong isotherm cylinder [4, valid for Ra S_ 10°Amtinio Marcos de Oliveira Sigueira eal. / Energy Procedia $7 (2014) 401 410 405 ° as r= {oon 0387R | Tr OSs97 PE there is vacuum (less than 1 tor) in annular space, the heat transfer will be free molecular convection [5]. The convection coefficient h is valid for Ra < (D,/(D, ~D3))*, but can slightly overestimates the heat transfer for very low pressures (lower than 0.0001 tort) h va o D,/2In(D,/D,) + BAD,/D, + 1) (2 ay(y-5) o 2aly +1) 2.331 x 107°°Cr + 273.15) @ Pa The molecular diameter, interaction and accommodation coefficients and the free mean path differs from each annulus gs, but literature can show some values for ar [6]. However, if there is no vacuum, will be natural conveetion between {wo horizontal eylinders with the Raithby and Holland correlation (7), also valid for Ra < (D,/(Dy ~ D3))* 2.425k(T, — 7.) (Pr Ra/ (0.861 + Pr)}* © Gecone = (14 @o08)F The heat raster through bath wall ofthe absorber tube (Qfscoa) sid lass envelope (sont) ae called wit the Fourier Law [4]: 2k Thor ~ Tea) ao) For ~ TiDinner Deuter) ‘The conductivity of glass envelope is 104 Wim K for Pyrex® [8]. In this case, it is assumed that antireflective trealment on either inner or outer sides does nol introduce thermal resistance and causes no effect at glass emissivity. The absorber tube include 3041, 3161 and 321H stainless steel with conductivity described by Danis [9]; and cooper with constant conductivity (10), ke = 400 Wim K. The two radiations heat transfers are between the absorber tube and glass envelope and fiom the glass envelope to ambient, For the first one (@S4ya); itis assumed gray surfaces, diffuse reflections and iradiations, no participations ofthe annulus gas and opaque glass to infrared radiation. The deviations resulted by these considerations should be relatively small [3] onb3(T$ ~ 74) ap Sera TS = e)Ds/(& DD)06 Antonio Mercor de Olivera Siquera et al / Energy Pocedia 8? (2014) 401 410 For the glass envelope to ambient radiation heat transfer, itis considered thatthe envelope is a small object into other ‘enormous, the sky. The sky temperature is evaluated as 8 °C below the ambient temperature [3] rraa = ame (TS — TH) ay The absorption of solar energy by glass envelope (@jsoiaps) and absorber tube (QSsoi4es) are Weated as thermic fluxes for simplification, They are a function of optical losses that include shadowing and tracking efficiency, and errors caused by geometry and reflection defects, drt on mirrors and on TICE, and general errors. A suggestion of these values ean be ‘ound in literature [3]. To improve the accuracy, a term of dtect solar incidence angle is considerate for eases in which the irradiation is not normal tothe aperture [11], with (eq. 13) and without (eg. 1) glass envelope: K = cos8 + 0.0008840 — 0.000053690 a3) K = cos 8 + 0,00035126 — 0,000031376* «aay ‘The 8 value must be given in degres and the correlations are for LS-2 collector type, but are considerate for all ease. ‘The multiplication of these apical terms results in a total oles elficieney forthe glass ecWelope (ny) andthe absorber tube (ane. ‘The ather parameters are the ansmitance (x), emissivity (€) and absorptance (a) of the glass envelope and the selective coating on the absorber tube, For the glass envelope, its values are constants and independent of temperature as the absorpance ofthe selective coating, but the emissivity ofthe selective coating is function of temperature. The present work suggests values from Solel Solar System Lid of Israel and Luz International Lid. GBsovaes = 4 Menv enw as) GE Mane ane 16) Bsoia0s ‘The last heat transfer term considered in this present work isthe losses through the bracket, In this case, the bracket is treated as infinite fin with base temperature 10°C lower than the absorber tube Aeonapraceer = VE PEK ACS(Toase ~ Ts)/Lrce an The conduction coefficient ofthe carbon stel is about 48 Wm" Kat 600 K [3]. In bidimensional model is made an estimation of the number of brackets in each subdivision of the HCE instead of use the heat transfer per unt length and summed in a total value, By the same way as the convection outside of the glass envelope, the convection coefficient must bbe evaluated with or without wind presence. The outlet emperature esults of a global energy balance. In bidimensional analysis, this balance is foreach subdivision IS]. The present work also includes a pressute drop analysis for bidimensional model with the Colebrook correlation for Darey friction factor. (Gisounnes + Asoiznss — Geratt ~ Giacons)Mbaperture — Geonasracketsorats 8) Touts The 3. Programming The heat transfer model was implemented based on VB.NET programming. The resultant algorithm, solved by successive substitution and simple iteration, involves a system of five (envelope case) or three (n0 envelope case)Amtinio Marcos de Oliveira Sigueira eal. / Energy Procedia $7 (2014) 401 410 40 ‘equations. Each equation solves to @ temperature including HTF temperature, absorber tube surfaces temperatures and glass envelope surfaces temperatures. In addition, all models are solved for a time instant, enabling time series analysis, Initially, the collector is fractionated in “n subdivisions and each one is calculated with unidimensional model. For the HITF, the outlet of “n" subdivision must be the inlet for “n ~ 1” subdivision. For the absorber tube and glass envelope all temperatures and properties into a subdivision is considered homogencous, but continuous between the subdivisions. ig 2 —Appleaion main window The algorithm starts with an initial prediction of the temperatures for each “n” subdivision which tums it possible to caleulate all heat transfer terms. For the HTF and absorber tube surfaces temperatures, energy balance equations are used to recalculate these temperatures and compound the iteration method. If exists glass envelope, its surfaces temperatures are evaluated based on numeric methods as false position and bisection. All recalculated temperatures are used as new initial guesses for each unidimensional model calculations until they converge to a fixed value according to a tolerance pre- established. By this time, is incremented a new collector subdivision until its length ends. ‘The resultant application has a user-iriendly interface enabling an easy choice of all necessary configurations. It has as ‘options three collector types and its configurations and twenty two fluid types. The main necessary operation conditions to be completed are HIF flow rate, inlet temperature, wind speed, ambient temperature, annulus pressure, dinect normal ‘neident irradiation and solar incident angle. In addition to the options predefined, the configurations of collector, fluid and ambient conditions can be set in user-defined values allowing a preat flexibility. A resume of al selected eonditions can be viewed also on the main window. ‘Once selected the desired conditions, the application solves through the mathematical model using the inputs set and presents the outputs of total and optical efFiciency; temperature of the fluid and surfaces as inner and outer absorber tube and glass envelope; and heat exchanges such as heat gain and total losses. In addition, it shows two charts of axial and ragial temperature profile, which allows the user to understand and follow the process of heating In order to get a more complete analysis, if the user disposes of a time series meteorological data such as ambient temperature, wind speed and ditcet solar irradiation of the hours of @ day, one can input them to calculate the collector efficiency profile for a day. The information presented in this chat is especially important if one wants to dimension solar plant in a specific localization408 Antonio Marco de Oliveira Sigueira etal. / Energy Procedia 5? (2014) 401 410, 4. Numerical Simulation In order to evaluate and compare the resulls generated by the program, was established a standard operating condition and collector configuration and thus vary each parameter at a time. Operating parameters established include irradiation 950 Wim’, volumetric flow rate 0.01 mils, inlet temperature 22 °C, no wind speed, annular pressure 0.0001 mmHg, incident angle 0°, presence of glass envelope, collector type LS-3, selective coating Solel UVAC Cermet avg, type of absorber 321H and work fluid Therminol VP. The results obtained were 73% efficiency and outlet temperature of the HTF 269.79" C. as 5 gt throng — ot wr B ttceey . : ute is 5 om my ws © so 100 1300 > Iraision Wr Ai emp Fig 2 ~The influence of) ambient temperature and () solr iradition at eficieney sn LITE outlet epee Inereasing radiation the outlet temperature ofthe fluid and the thermal losses also increase. Therefore, the efficiency initially inereases and then stabilizes (Figure 2a). The inerease in ambient temperature implies reduction in heat loss and ‘thus the efficiency and HTF outlet temperature increase (Figure 2b). Increase incidence angle causes a decrease indirect sola radiation on the concentrator and therefore causes a reduction in efficiency and output temperature of the fhuid (Figure 3a). The inlet temperature of the fluid critically infTuence efficiency, since the heat losses inerease with increasing temperature, and this eauses a deercase in efficiency, However, the exit temperature rises proportionally (Figure 3b). 20 my 2 400 2 : wo im 2603 a0 2 sete 3 3 Outlet Maid 288 g 100 3 temperoture 2 a Incident ange [egress] Ine Md emperature (1)Amtinio Marcos de Oliveira Sigueira eal. / Energy Procedia $7 (2014) 401 410 Fig ~The aflenc fa aiaton ident angle nd (b) HU ill temperate alice and HT lel temperate ‘The selective coating type has a strong influence on each energy rate component, since each coating has different ‘emissivity and absorplance values. Thus, since HCE. performance is very sensitive to the optical properties of the selective coatings, any manufacturing variances in coatings could result insignificant energy losses (Figure 4). 198 am i Som - Biack CemstCemeta”Cemnat Camm ave Selective costing Fig. 4~ The inuence of selective coating type a feleny and HTF out temperature 5, Conclusion Based on the importance of solar energy and its potential in Brazil it was developed software capable of predicting results of thermal performance of a parabolic trough collector based on @ mathematical model according to available literature already consolidated in order to encourage and facilitate studies around the parabolic solar concentrstors used in solar plants TThe results of « numerical simulation reveal thatthe present mathematical modeling is suitable for analyze and study parabolic solar concentrators. The program proved to be very useful as a design tool, being possible to determine the thermal and optical efficiency, thermal losses, among others, in addition to presenting the radial and axial profile of temperature. The main contributions of this Work are the custom inputs on several parameters, especially for collector dat, that allows the user work with self-made collector; application free of user initial values and limits for variables; and insertion of meteorological data, such as radiation and wind speed as a function of time, enabling a wide analysis of system performance throughout the day. In this latter ase, asa result, there isa graph of efficiency hours,410 Antonio Mercor de Olivera Siquera et al / Energy Pocedia 8? (2014) 401 410 With this program, one can study the individual variables influence on parabolic trough collector behavior keeping other variables constant, with the advantage of simulation in regard of cost and time expenses, Therefore, the use of simulation models combines ease-ofsuse and low operating costs, as well as being a great educational and rescareh tool The application can be useful not only in electric power generation plants but also at situations where the fluid is used as a thermal energy source, as in industrial units, Acknowledgements The authors acknowledge for the Federal University of Vigosa (UFV) and the Fundagio de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG) for all suppor in this research. References [n) Mis D_ Advances isla thermal lect technology Solar Bergy’20076 18-31 [2] Price H, Lopfen F, Keamey D, Zara E, Cohen G, Gee R, Mahoney R_ Advances in paaboi ough solar power echlogy. Solar Energy Enginoerng 20021242 108-128 [3] Fomstl RE. Heat wansfer analysis and modeling of a parabolic ough solar receiver implemented in Engineering Eguations Slit. National Renee Energy Laboratory, Golde, 203 IM neoper FP, DeWit DP. Fadamentals of heat ad mas tranafer de New Yor: Joa Wiley snd Sons, 2007, [s] Rata A Hickox C, Gating D Teeniques fr eduing teal conduction and munca convection het loses in aula ceiver geome. Het Transfer 197, 101, 108-13, [6] Marshall N| Gat enolopadia New Vor: Hse, 1978 [7] Bejan, A. Conection heat rane. 2nd, New Yor: Sb Wiley and Sons 1995 [8] Toulon YS, Deine DP. Thrmophonica properties of mater, Rada properties, nowt mole. Vol 8, New York: Penom Poblshing: 197, [9] Danis. R. Atay digest, somcebook, tans ets, Materials Pa: ASM ltr 200, [10] ASM Handbook Conumiee Metal handbook Properties and selection = Nonferrous aloe and pare metal. Vol 2, Metals Pak: American Society for Mets, 1978 [11] Dudley VE, Kolb, G, Mahoney, AR Tat rela: SES LS-2 Solar Collector. Abuauscque: SANDIA National Laboratori 1994