| Author | Biswas, Aurosree |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.ET-12-11 |
| Subject(s) | Solar energy--Simulation methods
|
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the
degree of Master of Science in
Energy, School of Environment, Resources and Development
|
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Concentrating solar collectors are very useful for high temperature applications in
industries as well as power generation. Since concentrating collectors' use mainly the
direct radiations from the sun, their usage have been rather limited to the mid-latitudes and
very little work has been done in the tropical region. The percentage of diffuse radiation in
the tropical climate can be as high as 50%, causing a big set-back for this technology's
development in the region. The parabolic trough concentrator type has been studied
extensively by many researchers, and has been used in the industrial and the power
generation sector. Since tracking the sun to maintain the efficiency of the system is
important, due to the bulkiness and others issues with the parabolic trough, researchers
have developed the Horizontal Linear Fresnel Concentrating systems which overcomes
many of the limitations in the parabolic trough.
In this research, a two-stage linear Fresnel concentrator was studied. Optical analysis was
performed using the Monte Carlo raytrace simulation tool (SolTRACE). Optimal system
design was determined and annual performance of the system was assessed by using 5
years radiation data obtained from the meteorological station of Asian Institute of
Technology, Thailand. The optical efficiency and acceptance angle of the system was
analysed. Theoretical average flux distribution of 8 kW/m2 was obtained on a flat receiver
with average optical efficiency of 70% throughout the year for an optimal system with
primary concentrator area of 4.32 m
2
. The acceptance angle test of the system was broken
down into two paits, the altitude acceptance angle and the azimuthal acceptance angle. A
value of 1° and 0.1° were obtained for the altitude and azimuthal acceptance angle,
respectively.
Experimental study was performed on a prototype of total primary area of 1.08 m
2
• Solar
cells were used to measure the flux distribution on the flat receiver. When theoretical
model was analysed with the experimental outputs for average flux distribution and optical
efficiency, Relative Root Mean Square Difference (RRMSD) were within 15% for both.
During the experimental analysis, the average flux distribution of 6 kW/m2 was obtained
for the prototype.
In conclusion, the optical performance of a two-stage linear Fresnel concentrator was
assessed in this study by simulation and then validated by experimental study. The average
flux distribution on the receiver unit and the optical efficiency of the system were
relatively high compared to parabolic trough or linear Fresnel systems. Parameters such as
distance between the reflectors and the receiver, the size and type of the receiver were
found to have significant influence on the performance of the system.
|
| Year | 2012 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Energy and Climate Change (Former title: Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (DEECC)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Energy Technology (ET) |
| Chairperson(s) | Kumar, S. |
| Examination Committee(s) | Mohanty, B. ;Salam, P. Abdul |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | AIT Fellowship |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2012 |