A Review of Parabolic Trough Collector and Its Modeling

Abstract

Use of renewable energy and integration of existing technologies are the areas of research which need more ideas and analysis, so that diminishing energy resources and technological competitiveness can be confronted. Parabolic trough collectors (PTCs) are one of those technologies that relate to the above issues and need more attention. PTC is a member of concentrating solar power technology that aims at conversion of solar energy to thermal energy for purposes like electricity generation and steam generation for different applications. Other members of concentrating solar power technology are (i) linear Fresnel reflectors, (ii) central receiver (or solar tower) system with heliostat reflectors and (iii) parabolic dish. In this paper, only PTC which is the most established and proven technology available today for collecting solar energy is discussed with emphasis on its modeling. Based on this, an exhaustive review of articles published in the area of modeling and simulation of PTC with an appropriate focus on its applications has been made, and future directions are provided.