Performance Evaluation and Integration of Solar Thermal Systems

Abstract

In this study performance of two solar concentrators, namely compound parabolic newlineconcentrator and Scheffler concentrator, is evaluated experimentally and theoretically. newlineThis work has been carried out to select an appropriate technology to integrate with newlinethe heat treatment process of turmeric rhizomes. A prototype plant of the compound newlineparabolic concentrator is installed for direct steam generation. The plant comprises the newlineparabolic reflector, glass covered receiver pipe, steam separator, and feed pump. Heat newlinetransfer analysis is carried out, and a characteristic equation is obtained for prediction newlineof thermal efficiency of compound parabolic concentrator plant. The experimental newlineanalysis results show that hour angle and solar beam intensity has significant effect on newlinethermal efficiency of compound parabolic concentrator. The theoretical analysis newlinereveals the steam generation rate from compound parabolic concentrator system is newlinedepends on the direct normal irradiance and ambient temperature. Steam generated newlinefrom the compound parabolic concentrator plant is supplied to the turmeric-blanching newlineunit, and performance for turmeric blanching is evaluated experimentally. The overall newlinethermal efficiency of the compound parabolic concentrator for turmeric blanching is newlineless to make it commercially viable technology. newlineIn the context of India, Scheffler concentrator is being promoted for cooking and lowtemperature newlineapplications. A 16-m2 Scheffler concentrator is installed for direct steam newlinegeneration for the research work. Several experiments were conducted with glazed newlineand unglazed receiver to evaluate the performance of Scheffler concentrator. Effect of newlinethe declination angle, solar beam intensity, ambient temperature, and wind speed on newlinethe thermal performance of the Scheffler concentrator under local climatic conditions newlineis analyzed. Experimental and theoretical results shows that thermal efficiency newlinedecreases with a reduction in aperture area. Thermal efficiency of the Scheffler solar newlineconcentrator decreases from January to May due to the