Development of a Small-Sized Parabolic-Trough Collector. Final Results of Capsol Project
Abstract
Small-sized parabolic-trough collectors, PTCs, are the concentrating solar system technology with the highest potential for thermal energy demand at temperatures up to 250ºC. The main applications in this temperature range are industrial process heat production, heat-powered refrigeration and cooling (especially double-effect absorption chillers) and low-temperature heat demand with high consumption rates (domestic hot water, space heating and swimming pool heating). A representative number of such facilities, mainly located in the United States, have been installed during the last three decades. Recently, private business and public institutions have shown a growing interest in this technology. The CAPSOL project undertakes the design, construction and testing of an innovative small-sized PTC for temperatures up to 250ºC. Three Spanish partners are participating, the Plataforma Solar de Almería, PSA, the University of Almeria, and the company Composites y Sol S.L. The testing was done in a solar optical and thermal performance test facility, designed and erected at the PSA. After the development and assessment of a first prototype, CAPSOL-01, some improvements were made and a second prototype, CAPSOL-02, was developed and assessed. Commercial version of CAPSOL collector is already on the market. This paper focuses on the final results of this project.