Numerical investigation to assess the output performance of concentrated solar parabolic dish system

Abstract

In this study, a standalone solar parabolic dish Stirling system is mathematically modeled and simulated using MATLAB to investigate the effects of material design and opt-geometrical parameters on output performance of the system. The concentrator diameter, rim angle, dispersion angle, incidence angle, solar angle, receiver emissivity, receiver absorbance, receiver thermal conductivity, and concentrator reflectance are the major parameters considered for investigation. The effects of the aforementioned parameters have been rigorously observed on Geometrical Concentration Ratio (G.C.R), receiver temperature, receiver thermal loss, output power, and overall efficiency of the system. In addition, the optimized values of the studied parameters have also been identified to establish the optimal geometrical configuration of the system. The results revealed that the maximum output power and the overall efficiency of the system have been calculated at 45° rim angle, 0.4° dispersion angle, 0° incidence angle, and 0.3° solar angle. At these optimal angles, receiver thermal loss may be significantly minimized while maintaining the desired G.C.R. The results, for the purpose of validation, have also been compared with theoretical and experimental dataset from the contemporary literature and found in good agreement.