Optical Design and Performance Analysis of the Medium Temperature Parabolic Trough Collector by Simulation Method

Abstract

The parabolic trough heat collection technology was mainly used in the field of high-temperature power generation, and there was less research on the application of medium temperature heat utilization. In view of the huge heat demand in the medium temperature range (120°C-240°C) in the industrial field, trough solar thermal technology for the medium temperature heat energy recovery have unique technical advantages and wide perspective applications. In this study, based on the meteorological resources of Ejina Banner (Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region) and the heat demand, we propose a design for small sized parabolic trough collector, aperture width is 2.55m, focal length is 0.721m, and rim angle is 83°. The optical efficiency of this collector is 77.05% calculated by Monte Carlo ray tracing (MCRT) method, and the heat flux intensity distribution of the collector is simulated by the Soltrace. Finally, the results can provide some support and technical references for the medium temperature application.