Title: Exergy analysis on solar heat collection of three-dimensional compound parabolic concentrator

Authors: Yoshiki Nishi; Qi Xie

Addresses: Department of Systems Design for Ocean-Space, Faculty of Engineering, Yokohama National University, 79-5, Tokiwadai, Hodogaya, Yokohama, Kanagawa 2408501, Japan ' Devision of Systems Integration, Graduate School of Engineering, Yokohama National University, 79-5, Tokiwadai, Hodogaya, Yokohama, Kanagawa 2408501, Japan

Abstract: This study presents a thermal model for the optimum design of the three-dimensional compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) considering the maximisation of exergy delivery. The model in this study has been validated by comparing the computed collector temperature with the measured one. A good agreement has been confirmed. The optimum temperatures of the collector and the thermal medium are calculated. Reduction of heat loss from the collector to ambient air can enhance the maximum exergy, but it is accompanied by shift of the optimum temperature. The heat extraction process has been examined by assuming that it is composed of two steps of heat flow: the first from the collector to the medium and the second from the medium to the final objective. The analysis shows how the exergy efficiency varies in response to the design change in the second step and where the overall optimised design can be found in a diagram between heat transfer coefficient and temperature.

Keywords: CPC; compound parabolic concentrator; exergy analysis; solar heat collection; optimum design; solar energy; solar power; thermal modelling; exergy efficiency; heat transfer coefficient; temperature.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEX.2013.056136

International Journal of Exergy, 2013 Vol.13 No.2, pp.260 - 280

Received: 21 Apr 2012
Accepted: 30 Sep 2012
Published online: 31 Aug 2013 *

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