Study on the performance of flat-plate collectors with a bottom-mounted non-tracking broken line type reflector

• Published in: Renewable energy 2024-12, Vol.237, p.121644, Article 121644
• Main Authors: Qiu, Guodong, Wang, Yedong, Chen, Yanfeng, Cai, Weihua
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Broken line type reflector; Collection performance; computer software; Flat-plate collector; heat; Optimization design; renewable energy sources
• ISSN: 0960-1481
• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2024.121644

The current flat-plate collectors commonly utilize non-tracking reflectors, primarily in a flat configuration, which is not optimal because it has a large reflection loss at varying solar altitude angles. Broken line type structures have been proven to exhibit better light concentration effects. However, existing research has focused solely on broken line type reflector installed at the top of the collector, leaving a gap in the study of broken line type reflector installed at the bottom. This paper investigates this aspect. Mathematical models for the performance analysis of collectors with/without bottom-mounted reflectors are established. The accuracy of the models is verified using the light tracing software, TracePro. The study includes the simulation analyses of the collector's performance and reflection losses under different conditions. The results indicate that the plate type reflector and broken line type reflector increase the heat collection by 27.92 % and 34.4 %, respectively. So the reflector can make the collector effectively operate in a wider range of ambient temperatures and radiation intensity. Increasing the horizontal length of the collector or adopting a series arrangement can effectively reduce reflection losses. This study provides theoretical guidance for the optimization design of flat-plate collectors with bottom-mounted broken line type reflectors.