Experimental performance investigations on various orientations of evacuated double absorber tube for solar parabolic trough concentrator

Abstract

The parabolic trough concentrator is a widely used concentrator to harness and concentrate on the solar energy. The performance of the parabolic trough concentrator depends upon its various parameters like reflecting surface, mass flow rate, concentration ratio, heat transfer fluid, rim angle, tracking of system, evacuation of absorber, and absorber tube. An absorber tube or receiver is the most important parameter that has an effect on the enhancement of heat transfer which was further specified by its material, surface coating, length, diameter, type of flow through it, number of absorber tube, various orientations of double tube, internal flow obstructions like twisted tape, different shape insertion in it etc. Different researchers had worked on different modifications of the absorber tube to increase the effective heat transfer. In this present experimental work, an investigation of the evacuated double tube absorber with its various orientations carried out for the designed and developed prototype of PTC.