Abstract
In this work, the effect of vortex shedding on the solar collector performance of the parabolic trough solar collector (PTSC) was estimated experimentally. The effect of structure oscillations due to wind vortex shedding on solar collector performance degradation was estimated. The performance of PTSC is evaluated by using the useful heat gain and the thermal instantaneous efficiency. Experimental work to simulate the vortex shedding excitation was done. The useful heat gain and the thermal efficiency of the parabolic trough collector were calculated from experimental measurements with and without vortex loading. The prototype of the collector was fabricated for this purpose. The effect of vortex shedding at different operation conditions was examined. The variation of angles of attack and wind velocity leads to different values of vortex loading coefficients and shedding frequencies. The relation between the dynamic characteristics and solar collector performance was evaluated. The finite element method was used to estimate the dynamic characteristic of the solar collector in addition to experimental work to evaluate the relation between the dynamic behavior of the collector and its performance.
References
[2] Yaghoubi M, Sefidbakht S, Kenary A. Performance variation of 250kW solar thermal power plant for various locations in Iran. In: Proceedings of second international conference on energy research & development, State of Kuwait, 2002. p. 765–75.
[3] Paidoussis M.P., “Fluid-Structure Interaction Vol.2: Slender Structures and Axial Flow”, Elsevier Academic Press, London, 2004.
[4] Mukund R. Patel “Wind and Solar Power systems: Design, Analysis, and Operation”, Taylor & Francis, second edition, 2006.
[5] Holmes JD, Banks RW, Roberts G. Drag and aerodynamic interference on microwave dish antennas and their supporting towers. J Wind Eng Ind Aerodyn 1993;50:263–9.
[6] [6]Raddu A, Axinte E. Wind forces on structures supporting solar collectors. J Wind Eng Ind Aerodyn 1989;32:93–100.
[7] L. Chevalien, J. Norton, Wind loads on solar collector panels and support structure, Aerospace Engineering Department, Texas A&M University (1979).
[8] G.A. Kopp, D. Surry, Wind loads on solar array, Wind and Structures. 5, (2002) 393-406.
[9] Alan G. Davenport, Milos Novak, “Vibration of structures induced by wind”, McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc., New York, 1966.
[10] R. K. Foran, “ Vibration and flow field characteristics of a solar concentrator”, M.Sc. thesis, Texas Tech University, 1984.
[11] R. D. Blevins, “Flow-induced vibration”, second edition., Kreiger, Malibar, 1994.
[12] J.A. Peterka, N. Hosoya, R.C. Gee and D. Kearney,” Wind Tunnel Tests of Parabolic Trough Solar Collectors” National Renewable Energy Laboratory, NREL/SR-550-32282, May 2008.
[13] Garg. H. P. and Prakash J., "Solar Energy Fundamentals and Applications", Tata McGraw-Hill Publishing Company Limited, Tenth reprint, 2008.
Copyright: Open Access authors retain the copyrights of their papers, and all open access articles are distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided that the original work is properly cited. The use of general descriptive names, trade names, trademarks, and so forth in this publication, even if not specifically identified, does not imply that these names are not protected by the relevant laws and regulations. While the advice and information in this journal are believed to be true and accurate on the date of its going to press, neither the authors, the editors, nor the publisher can accept any legal responsibility for any errors or omissions that may be made. The publisher makes no warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein.