Effect of Greenhouse Gases on the Behaviour of Parabolic Trough Collector Based on CFD Simulation

Abstract

Energy extraction by solar energy harnessing method is one of the most futuristic approach to accelerate towards green technologies. The parabolic trough solar collectors are most widely used entities in entire world for solar water heaters. The existing problem of low rate of water heating is disadvantageous for its commercial use. Hence the study focuses on observing the effect of greenhouse when the evacuated tubes are equipped with most common greenhouse gas CO_2 (Carbon dioxide). The simulations were carried out on Ansys (FLUENT) at steady state conditions. The parameters observed to compare the rate of boiling are Cell Reynolds number, Surface skin friction and the average steady state temperature. The greenhouse gas seems effective in increasing the rate of boiling due to which the Cell Reynolds number has increased in both minima and maxima.