Performance Analysis of a Parabolic Trough Collector

TRNSYS® software simulates a parabolic trough collector (PTC) with a phase change material (PCM) solar water heating system. The simulation predicts hot water supply during morning and evening peak demand. The main heat transfer fluid (HTF) in PTC is lauric acid (LA), whereas the secondary HTF is water. The research simulates a medium-temperature, concentrated parabolic trough collector without solar tracking. TRNSYS® simulation components have been fully explored utilizing a Type 1245 parabolic trough collector with a Type 533 horizontal storage tank with heat exchangers, which meets home and industrial hot water needs. The storage tank is vertically stratified to adjust the HTF temperature from the collector. The findings indicated that LA, with a thermal conductivity of 0.862 kJ/h-mK, gives a peak energy gain of 17,600 kJ/h in February and 4000 kJ/h in July, and a 950 F temperature increase for Chandigarh, India. The city’s weather yields 24% yearly collector efficiency.