Prediction and optimization of the performance of parabolic solar dish concentrator with sphere receiver using analytical function

TL;DR

This paper develops an analytical model to predict and optimize the performance of parabolic solar dish concentrators with sphere receivers, considering real sun distribution and optical errors, leading to improved efficiency.

Contribution

It introduces an analytical function for intercept factor calculation and a quick optimization process for maximizing net heat efficiency under various optical errors.

Findings

Intercept factor depends on rim angle and optical error.

Maximum efficiency is 20% higher than solar trough and tower systems.

Optimization improves energy capture under different optical conditions.

Abstract

Parabolic solar dish concentrator with sphere receiver is less studied. We present an analytic function to calculate the intercept factor of the system with real sun bright distribution and Gaussian distribution, the results indicate that the intercept factor is related to the rim angle of reflector and the ratio of open angle of receiver at the top of reflector to optical error when the optical error is larger than or equal to 5 mrad, but is related to the rim angle, open angle and optical error in less than 5 mrad optical error. Furthermore we propose a quick process to optimize the system to provide the maximum solar energy to net heat efficiency for different optical error under typical condition. The results indicate that the parabolic solar dish concentrator with sphere receiver has rather high solar energy to net heat efficiency which is 20% more than solar trough and tower system including higher cosine factor and lower heat loss of the receiver.