Experimental and CFD analysis for heat transfer of solar parabolic trough receiver tube

What is it about?

This paper discusses the improvement of heat transfer rate and flow characteristics of fluid in the Solar Parabolic Trough Collector (PTC) receiver tube for different geometrical consideration. Numerical analysis using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) was performed receiver tubes with circular, square, and elliptical geometrical shapes, with and without twisted tape insert. for receiver tubes with circular, square, and elliptical geometrical shapes, either with or without twisted tape inserts. The results of CFD numerical analysis were validated with the experimental results. The comparison graphs for friction factor, Nusselt number as well as thermal performance are plotted with respect to Reynolds number. Results shows that, the change in the geometrical shape of the receiver tube and tube with insets affects the internal and external convection heat transfer coefficients and rate of heat transfer. It was suggested that to use twisted tape inserts in the receiver tube for better heat transfer rate in Solar PTC.

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Photo by American Public Power Association on Unsplash

Photo by American Public Power Association on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This paper investigates the impact of different geometrical considerations on heat transfer and flow characteristics in Solar Parabolic Trough Collector (PTC) receiver tubes. Utilizing Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), the study compares circular, square, and elliptical tube shapes, both with and without twisted tape inserts. The validated results demonstrate significant effects on internal and external convection heat transfer coefficients, emphasizing the importance of utilizing twisted tape inserts for enhanced heat transfer rates in Solar PTC systems.

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