Research Information System
Thesis Type: Postgraduate
Institution Of The Thesis: Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Turkey
Approval Date: 2017
Student: RAHUL SINGH
Supervisor: DEREK KEITH BAKER
Abstract:In this thesis, a linear Fresnel collector has been designed to supply solar heat for industrial process. Firstly, optical analysis using ray tracing is done to determine the effects of collector’s parameters, such as height of receiver, mirror width and profile, gap between adjacent rows and slope deviation. Afterwards, one-dimensional thermal model is presented which predicts surface temperatures of receiver components and heat loss. The results obtained from both optical and thermal studies are then benchmarked against published data and then applied to design a linear Fresnel collector for an ice cream factory located in Konya (Turkey). The collector’s thermal performance is investigated for different weather conditions along with monthly outputs. Furthermore, flux distribution on absorber tube for different sun positions is studied as well. According to parametric study, slightly curved mirrors are able to collect significantly more solar energy compared to flat ones and optimal optical efficiency is achieved for particular range of collector parameters. The peak thermal efficiency and maximum solar fraction is found to be 66.35% and 33.6% (in July) respectively. Additionally, it is observed that most of the solar radiation is concentrated on the bottom section of the absorber tube; however, same is not true for high values of incidence angle. Therefore, non-uniform flux distribution should be taken into consideration for more accurate thermal analysis of the receiver.