Optical Simulation of a Polar Parabolic Trough Collector in a Subtropical Region
Abstract
In this paper, it is reported the performance of a solar radiation concentrating system, to be applied in the direct steam production of electric energy with a low micro turbine. Such system consists of an ensemble of a trough collector and a receiver, through which water flows as heating fluid. The trough collector is inclined according to the latitude coordinate, parabolically curved and one-axis tracked. The assembly is analyzed via computational tools based on Tonatiuh Ray-Tracing methodology. The computational analysis allows distinguishing the polar parabolic trough collector from the classic parabolic trough collector. Due to a reduction in the cosine effect in polar parabolic trough collector, there is a significant improvement in the cosine optical efficiency all throughout the year, especially in the winter season. The Polar parabolic trough collector is promising for concentrated solar power systems at subtropical latitudes and provides a better use of the solar resource for the processes involved in getting heat or generating electricity, especially in medium and low scale applications.