Thermal Behaviour of a Solar Dish Collector with Flat Mirrors Using CFD Analysis

Abstract

In this work a Solar Thermal Generator is analysed from an energy point of view. It is a dish collector that is part of a concentrating solar grid system. The analysed plant is used for the generation of low enthalpy thermal energy as an integration to the hot water production plant for some student residences of the University of Calabria (Italy). A thermal model is developed that simulates the behaviour of the plant with the aim of analysing its performance and optimizing the design of its fundamental parts from an energy point of view. The optical model of the solar collector is carried out for a particular external condition. The emissive characteristics of the absorber is determined with the use of a thermal imaging camera. To identify the main parameters that affect the functioning and the thermal balance of the capturing system, a thermo-fluid dynamic analysis is performed. The results show which are the main causes of loss. It is possible to understand the weight of each factor in the energy balance.