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Performance of a parabolic trough solar collector
Thesis (MScEng (Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005.
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| Other Authors: | |
| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
2008
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| _version_ | 1867613875063488512 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Brooks, Michael John |
| author2 | Harms, T. M. |
| author_browse | Brooks, Michael John Harms, T. M. |
| author_facet | Harms, T. M. Brooks, Michael John |
| author_sort | Brooks, Michael John |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | University of Stellenbosch |
| description | Thesis (MScEng (Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/1821 |
| institution | Stellenbosch University (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:43:05.531Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| publishDate | 2008 |
| publishDateRange | 2008 |
| publishDateSort | 2008 |
| publisher | Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch |
| publisherStr | Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| spelling | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/1821 Performance of a parabolic trough solar collector Brooks, Michael John Harms, T. M. University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering. Dissertations -- Mechanical engineering Theses -- Mechanical engineering Parabolic troughs Solar collectors Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering Thesis (MScEng (Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. Parabolic trough solar collectors (PTSCs) constitute a proven source of thermal energy for industrial process heat and power generation, although their implementation has been strongly influenced by economics. In recent years, environmental concerns and other geopolitical factors have focused attention on renewable energy resources, improving the prospects for PTSC deployment. Further work is needed to improve system efficiencies and active areas of research include development of advanced heat collecting elements and working fluids, optimisation of collector structures, thermal storage and direct steam generation (DSG). A parabolic trough collector, similar in size to smaller-scale commercial modules, has been developed locally for use in an ongoing PTSC research programme. The aim of this study was to test and fully characterise the performance of the collector. Specialised logging software was developed to record test data and monitor PTSC performance in real-time. Two heat collecting elements were tested with the collector, one unshielded and the other with an evacuated glass cover. Testing was carried out according to the ASHRAE 93-1986 (RA 91) standard, yielding results for the thermal efficiency, collector acceptance angle, incidence angle modifier and collector time constant. Peak thermal efficiency was 55.2 % with the unshielded receiver and 53.8 % with the glass-shielded unit. The evacuated glass shield offered superior performance overall, reducing the receiver heat loss coefficient by 50.2 % at maximum test temperature. The collector time constant was less than 30 s for both receivers, indicating low thermal inertia. Thermal loss tests were conducted and performance of the trough’s tracking system was evaluated. The measured acceptance angles of 0.43° (unshielded) and 0.52° (shielded) both exceeded the tracking accuracy of the PTSC, ensuring that the collector operated within 2 % of its optimal efficiency at all times. Additionally, experimental results were compared with a finite-volume thermal model, which showed potential for predicting trough performance under forced convection conditions. 2008-07-01T08:18:02Z 2010-06-01T08:34:10Z 2008-07-01T08:18:02Z 2010-06-01T08:34:10Z 2005-03 Thesis http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/1821 en University of Stellenbosch application/pdf Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch |
| spellingShingle | Dissertations -- Mechanical engineering Theses -- Mechanical engineering Parabolic troughs Solar collectors Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering Brooks, Michael John Performance of a parabolic trough solar collector |
| title | Performance of a parabolic trough solar collector |
| title_full | Performance of a parabolic trough solar collector |
| title_fullStr | Performance of a parabolic trough solar collector |
| title_full_unstemmed | Performance of a parabolic trough solar collector |
| title_short | Performance of a parabolic trough solar collector |
| title_sort | performance of a parabolic trough solar collector |
| topic | Dissertations -- Mechanical engineering Theses -- Mechanical engineering Parabolic troughs Solar collectors Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/1821 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT brooksmichaeljohn performanceofaparabolictroughsolarcollector |