Modelling and Exergetic Analysis of a Parabolic Trough Solar Collector

Abstract

A parabolic trough collector was subject of a thermal study considering heat exchange mechanisms involved in the conversion process of solar energy into heat. The physical model presented was developed with assumptions related to steady state conditions. A code, developed under Matlab, allowed to estimate, by an iterative calculation, all temperatures encountered in the studied system and to calculate, consequently, various efficiencies: optical, energetic and exergetic. After validation of the model, a parametric analysis was carried out in order to consider the influence of the main model parameters on the exergetic behavior of the solar system.