Conical receiver for a paraboloidal concentrator with large rim angle

• Published in: Solar energy 2012-04, Vol.86 (4), p.1053-1062
• Main Authors: Hernández, Nestor, Riveros-Rosas, David, Venegas, Eduardo, Dorantes, Rubén J., Rojas-Morín, Armando, Jaramillo, O.A., Arancibia-Bulnes, Camilo A., Estrada, Claudio A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Cavity receiver; Conical receiver; Design optimization; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; Geometry; Natural energy; Paraboloidal concentrator; Simulation; Solar collectors; Solar concentrator; Solar energy; Solar thermal conversion; Temperature
• ISSN: 0038-092X; 1471-1257
• DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2011.09.008

► Design of a receiver for a paraboloidal concentrator with 90° rim angle. ► Spherical, cylindrical, and conical receivers compared by ray tracing. ► Conical receiver that absorbs radiation on inner and outer surfaces. The design and optimization of novel type of receiver for a paraboloidal concentrator with 90° rim angle is carried out by means of detailed ray tracing simulations. Cylindrical, conical, and spherical geometries are compared and their dimensions optimized. The chosen design is based on a conical cavity, which differs from similar receivers developed for concentrators with smaller rim angles. In particular, the receiver is able to catch concentrated solar energy both on its outer side and on the inner walls. Water flows inside the receiver along the conical geometry, in a double layer configuration. The receiver was built and implemented in a 90° rim angle paraboloidal concentrator. Thermal efficiency of the system is evaluated for different flow rates and inlet temperatures, both in stationary and in transient regimes, and results for fluid temperatures are compared with the results predicted by a thermal model. The time constant is evaluated.