Optical and Thermal Performance Analysis of Solar Parabolic Concentrator

In this work, the effect of reflectivity of the reflector, absorptivity of the absorber, intercept factor and beam solar radiation in the thermal performance of a solar parabolic concentrator (SPC), are investigated. The optical energy input of a solar thermal collector is important, to achieve the maximum thermal performance. Polished aluminium, steel sheets and glass, with low iron content are used as the reflector materials. The absorber coating is black chrome and nickel for the improved heat absorption rate. The reflectivity of the reflector and the absorptivity of the absorber surface are the most influencing parameters, for the optical and thermal performance of SPC. An increase of 0.2 reflectivity or absorptivity, enhances the optical efficiency by 18%. The maximum temperature attainable over the absorber is 650 C, during the outdoor testing, without passing the fluid through the absorber.