A mathematical model has been derived and used to develop a three-dimensional concentrating solar collector as presented in this article. The developed solar collector gives the required flux distribution along the longitudinal direction of tubular absorber. The model requires inputs like the profile of required flux distribution, local solar flux, dimensions of the absorber, and the distance of absorber from the reflector. The model is developed under the most common assumptions and showed a high validity of 99.99%. The effects of inputs on the design geometrical parameters such as curvature, steepness, surface area, and aperture diameter, which affect the manufacturing, space limitations, and cost analysis, are presented and discussed. It is shown that decreasing the initial radius, solar flux, and slope of flux distribution required at the absorber surface results in a less steep reflecting surface (RS), which is also favored with increase in absorber's radius and initial angles. Smaller reflecting surface area can be obtained by using larger values of initial radius, solar flux, and slope of the absorber flux distribution. Smaller initial curvatures can also be obtained by increasing initial angle, absorber's radius, and slope of flux distribution. Decreasing the initial radius, initial angle, and absorber's radius can limit the aperture's diameter such that it could fit the space limitation. Locations' high solar flux would reduce the aperture's diameter.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
January 2017
Research-Article
Optimal Design of a Solar Collector for Required Flux Distribution on a Tubular Receiver
Muhammad Ibrar Hussain,
Muhammad Ibrar Hussain
Mechanical Engineering Department,
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals,
Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
e-mail: ibrar@kfupm.edu.sa
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals,
Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
e-mail: ibrar@kfupm.edu.sa
Search for other works by this author on:
Esmail M. A. Mokheimer,
Esmail M. A. Mokheimer
Mem. ASME
Mechanical Engineering Department,
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals,
P. O. Box: 279,
Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia;
Center of Research Excellence in Renewable
Energy (CoRERE),
King Fahd University
of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM),
P. O. Box: 279,
Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
e-mail: esmailm@kfupm.edu.sa
Mechanical Engineering Department,
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals,
P. O. Box: 279,
Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia;
Center of Research Excellence in Renewable
Energy (CoRERE),
King Fahd University
of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM),
P. O. Box: 279,
Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
e-mail: esmailm@kfupm.edu.sa
Search for other works by this author on:
Shakeel Ahmed
Shakeel Ahmed
Centre for Refining & Petrochemicals,
Research Institute,
King Fahd University of Petroleum
and Minerals (KFUPM),
Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
e-mail: shakeel@kfupm.edu.sa
Research Institute,
King Fahd University of Petroleum
and Minerals (KFUPM),
Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
e-mail: shakeel@kfupm.edu.sa
Search for other works by this author on:
Muhammad Ibrar Hussain
Mechanical Engineering Department,
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals,
Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
e-mail: ibrar@kfupm.edu.sa
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals,
Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
e-mail: ibrar@kfupm.edu.sa
Esmail M. A. Mokheimer
Mem. ASME
Mechanical Engineering Department,
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals,
P. O. Box: 279,
Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia;
Center of Research Excellence in Renewable
Energy (CoRERE),
King Fahd University
of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM),
P. O. Box: 279,
Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
e-mail: esmailm@kfupm.edu.sa
Mechanical Engineering Department,
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals,
P. O. Box: 279,
Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia;
Center of Research Excellence in Renewable
Energy (CoRERE),
King Fahd University
of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM),
P. O. Box: 279,
Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
e-mail: esmailm@kfupm.edu.sa
Shakeel Ahmed
Centre for Refining & Petrochemicals,
Research Institute,
King Fahd University of Petroleum
and Minerals (KFUPM),
Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
e-mail: shakeel@kfupm.edu.sa
Research Institute,
King Fahd University of Petroleum
and Minerals (KFUPM),
Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
e-mail: shakeel@kfupm.edu.sa
1Corresponding author.
Contributed by the Advanced Energy Systems Division of ASME for publication in the JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESOURCES TECHNOLOGY. Manuscript received February 10, 2016; final manuscript received November 26, 2016; published online December 21, 2016. Editor: Hameed Metghalchi.
J. Energy Resour. Technol. Jan 2017, 139(1): 012006 (8 pages)
Published Online: December 21, 2016
Article history
Received:
February 10, 2016
Revised:
November 26, 2016
Citation
Ibrar Hussain, M., Mokheimer, E. M. A., and Ahmed, S. (December 21, 2016). "Optimal Design of a Solar Collector for Required Flux Distribution on a Tubular Receiver." ASME. J. Energy Resour. Technol. January 2017; 139(1): 012006. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4035361
Download citation file:
Get Email Alerts
Cited By
Related Articles
Modeling and Experimental Evaluation of the Effects of Reflective Film and Vacuum on the Performance of Concentric Double Tube Direct Flow Solar Collector
J. Energy Resour. Technol (December,2022)
Thermal Radiation in Rayleigh-Be´nard Instability
J. Heat Transfer (February,1990)
Maximization of Exergy Gain in High Temperature Solar Thermal Receivers by Choice of Pipe Radius
J. Heat Transfer (May,1991)
Dynamic Advanced Exergetic, Exergoeconomic, and Environmental Analyses of a Hybrid Solar City Gate Station
J. Energy Resour. Technol (October,2021)
Related Proceedings Papers
Related Chapters
Cemented Carbides and Cermets
Brazing Handbook, Volume 3, 6th Edition
Sizing an Active Solar Collector for a Pool
Everyday Heat Transfer Problems: Sensitivities to Governing Variables
Energy Balance for a Swimming Pool
Electromagnetic Waves and Heat Transfer: Sensitivites to Governing Variables in Everyday Life