Performance analysis of parabolic trough solar collectors

Objective: This thesis study was conducted to compare the data of parabolic trough solar field located in ADU Central Campus with the theoretical data obtained from the Engineering Equation Solver (EES) program, and to determine the average heat gains, losses, optical and thermal efficiencies of the solar field for the months of May, June, August and for the year 2020 in which the field operated full time. Material and Methods: ADU Parabolic Trough Solar Field was analytically modeled, all calculations and analyses were carried out using data belong to the days in which the field operated full time. EES program was used to determine theoretical calculations and general performance of the field. Data of Direct Normal Insolation (DNI), wind speed, ambient temperature and inlet temperatures of heat transfer fluid (HTF), angle of incidence were introduced to EES program, and model validation of the system was performed and graphic results obtained were examined. Average 1 day in month was considered for the specific days belong to year 2020 in annual analysis, and data belong to these days were introduced to EES and needed calculations were performed. Results: It was determined that the average theoretical values obtained from EES converged to actual values with the differences of 4,54% for the average useful heat; 11,62% for outlet temperatures; 8,51 % for heat losses; 4,38% for thermal efficiency. Conclusion: As a result of model validation, it was determined that the average error did not exceed 11,62% for the months of May, June and August, and the solar field operated with an average useful heat of 470,89 kW, an average thermal efficiency of 41,96% and optical efficiency of 80,16%. Moreover, the solar field was exhibited the performance as annual average optical efficiency of 69,85%, average thermal efficiency of 35,1%, average heat loss of 209,3 kW, average heat gain of 323,93 kW.