Development And Testing Of Parabolic Through Collectors For Domestic Applications

International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 10 Issue: 06 | Jun 2023 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072
© 2023, IRJET | Impact Factor value: 8.226 | ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal | Page 329
Development And Testing Of Parabolic Through Collectors For
Domestic Applications
Kaustubh Balapure1, Kaustubh Kedar2, Raviraj Alandikar3, Dr. P. S. Patil4
1234Student, Dept. Mechanical Engineering, JSPM Rajarshi Shahu college of engineering, Thathawade
Pune,Maharashtra, India
4Professor, Dept. Mechanical Engineering, JSPM Rajarshi Shahu college of engineering, Thathawade Pune,
Maharashtra, India
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Abstract – Global energy demand is expected to increase
by more than 60% over the next few decades. Nowadays,
home water heaters are getting more and more expensive,
and we need to find another reliable way. Solar energy isthe
most useful source of clean energy to replace fossil fuels. A
parabolic trough collector is one of the best ways to
sustainably produce hot water. Inexpensive, easy to
manufacture and easy to carry, it offers additional cost
savings opportunities compared to other available models.
The purpose of this research is to harness solar energy for
home use. Experiments were performed using grade 204
stainless steel for the reflector and copper tubing for the
absorber and mirror. The results show a slight increase in
water outlet temperature compared to the simple parabolic
trough collector. This document contains comprehensive
content. An overview of this simple parabolic trough
collector, along with geometric analysis, thermal efficiency,
and applications are presented. Applications of PTC include
water desalination, water heating, and increasing thepower
available to generate steam.
Key Words: Solar Energy, PTC, Household, Reflector,
Absorber, Steam.
1.INTRODUCTION
Solar energy is an important component of renewable
resources and is considered one of the best sources of
energy available to mankind. In recent decades, the energy
demands of the industrial and commercial sectors have
continued to grow, resulting in an over-reliance on energy
generated using fossil fuel technologies, increasing the
release of pollutants into the atmosphere, whichcontributes
to global warming and environmental degradation. human
health. It is interesting to note that steam is just one type of
water that has changed phases in industry. Steam is used as
an economical and simple means of heating in a variety of
applications, including plant operations in the chemical,
textile, polymer, and paint industries.
There are many ways to convert this solar energy into
other forms of energy, such as electricity, hot water, space
heating, and desalination. Currently, the most promising
technology capable of converting this solar energy into
thermal form is the solar concentratororsolarpanel.Energy
is converted in such a way that the reflected solar rays are
linearly focused on the absorber, and heat is transferred
from the absorber to the HTF. In general, there are different
types of solar collectors, including: B. Parabolic Trough
Collector (PTC),compositeParabolicTroughCollector(CPC),
and Flat Plate Collector.
Basically, a parabolic trough concentrator that reflects
solar energy directly to a receiver or absorber tubeplacedat
the focal line of a parabola is called a parabolictrough,a type
of linear concentrating solar collector. Form a light
concentrator (PTC). A larger collector opening area
concentrates the direct solar energy reflected onto the
smaller outer surface of the receiver tube, resulting in the
heating of the liquid flowing through the receiver tube. This
converts solar radiation into thermal energy in the form of
sensible or latent heat in the fluid. This thermal energy can
be used to run the Rankine cycle to generateelectricityusing
steam turbines in "solar thermal" power plants or to run
industrial activities that require thermal energy (food
industry, petrochemical industry, etc.) can. . A parabolic
trough concentrator concentrates solar radiation, which is
then absorbed by a receiver in the focal line, converted to
thermal energy and transported to the HTF. As the man who
created the second law of thermodynamics.
1.1 Geometric Description
The geometry of parabolic shape can be defined by the
following formula:
By using the aperture (W) and the focal distance (f) the
rim angle (ϕr) is defined as shown below:

Fig. 1.1 Geometrical Description of PTC
The total collector aperture (Aa) is calculated as
The absorber (Aro) is the outer area of the tube:
The ratio of collector aperture (Aa) to the absorber area (Ab)
i.e., concentration ratio can be calculated as:
1.2 Thermal Analysis
The useful heat production from modified parabolic trough
collector can be defined as:
The solar irradiation falling on the collector can be
calculated by the product of aperture area (Aa) and direct
beam solar irradiation (Gb)
The thermal efficiency of the solar collector ( ) can be
calculated as the ratio of useful heat to the solar irradiation.
2. EXPERIMENTAL SETUP AND WORKING
2.1 Selection of Materials
A crucial component of the design and construction of
parabolic trough collectors(PTCs)isthematerial choice.The
chosen materials should have characteristics that satisfythe
demands of PTC components, such as reflectors, support
structures, receiver tubes, and heat transfer fluids. It's
crucial to think about things like mechanical and thermal
qualities, cost, availability, durability, compatibility with
other components, and environmental considerationswhile
choosing materials. Materials should also be assessed for
their ability to be manufactured, maintenance needs, and
possibility for recycling or reuse.
2.2 Components of PTC
Experimental setup includes –
1. Parabolic Trough Reflector
2. Wooden Supports for Trough Reflector
3. Receiver Tube
4. Tap/Valve
5. Pipes/Elbows
Parabolic Trough Reflector
It is a metal sheet that is often composed of steel and bent
into a parabola shape. A stainless-steel sheet could be
employed in the experimental setup. It belongs to the (SS
204) grade. The sheet can be coated with mirrors because it
will be used to reflect solar light, making the surface
extremely reflective. By screwing the sheet to plywood
sheets with round plywood cuts, it is bent and supported. A
heat transfer fluid (HTF) is included in the receiver tube,
which is where the concentrated solar radiation is directed
after being reflected by the parabolic trough reflector. The
concentrated solar energy is absorbed by the HTF, which
then heats up and reaches high temperatures. Following
that, a heat exchanger is used to transmitthethermal energy
of this heated fluid.

Fig -2.1: Reflector
Wooden Supports for Trough Reflector
The parabolic reflector can be supported usinga variety of
materials. Typically, plywood sheets are utilized because
they are lightweight and shield the reflector from the wind.
To preserve the bending support for the parabolic sheet,the
plywood sheets are cut into a semi-circular form. The
material also makes up the stand that is below the reflector.
The stand could be disassembled for travelling purposes
because of the way it was built. The reflector's weight and
stress must be supported by wooden supports that are
strong enough to handle them. The reflector, especially in
windy places, can be large and subject to wind loads. To
ensure that the wooden supports can effectively withstand
the load, careful engineering anddesignconsiderationsmust
be made.
Fig -2.2: Reflector Upper Support Stand for Parabolic Shape
Fig -2.3: Reflector Support Stand Extended View
Receiver Tube
The receiver tube is the part that absorbs thermal energy
and transmits to the flowing fluid. Focusing requiresspecial
attention. The material ofthe receivertubeaffectstheoptical
and thermal performance of the collector. The receiver tube
can also be coated with a matt black heat resistant PU paint.
A copper tube is used for the receiver. Receiver tubes are
exposed to high temperatures,
typically 300°C to 550°C, depending on the specific
application and PTC system design. So the receiving tube
must be able to do this and can withstand such high
temperatures without deforming or compromising its
structural integrity. Here is the CAD model of the assembly
and the actual model.
Fig -2.4: Absorber tube Strip Placement and Mounting

Fig -2.5: Actual Rod
Tap/Valve
In a Parabolic Trough Collector (PTC) system, valves or
faucets are essential components for controlling liquid flow
in the system. The specific type and configuration of valves
and cocks used in a PTC system will depend on factors such
as system design, size,andoperatingrequirements.Common
types of valves and cocks used in PTC systems include ball,
gate, globe, and control valves. These valves can beoperated
manually or automatically with a remote control and
actuators for precise adjustment. Proper valve and tap
selection, installation, and maintenance are critical to
ensuring the reliability and efficiency of your PTC system.
Material compatibility, pressure and temperature ratings,
fluid properties, system safety requirements, etc. must be
considered when selecting a valve or faucet for a PTC
system.
Fig -2.6: Valve/Tap
Pipes/Elbows
A parabolic trough collector (PTC) system's fluid
circulation and heat transfer operations depend heavily on
pipes. Pipe sizing, insulation, material choice, and pressure
drop are the crucial components of pipes and valves include
pipe joints and fittings, piping layout, and piping
arrangement. When constructing and installing pipes in a
PTC system, it's necessary to follow all applicable laws,
standards, and safety regulations. To guarantee the
dependability, effectiveness, and safety of thepipingsystem,
thorough engineering analysis, including pressure drop
calculations, thermal modelling, and stress analysis, should
be carried out.
2.3 Instruments And Devices for Measurement
A variety of parameters need to be measured in order to
observe how the setup operates.Asetofpreciseinstruments
is required in order to measure anything.
a) Thermocouples for temperature and heat-related
parameters.
b) Volumetric tank for mass flow measurement.
c) A stopwatch to check time-related limits.
d) Thermometer
2.4 Assembly
It is significant to keep in mind that the particular
assembly procedure can change depending on the
manufacturer, design constraints, and project needs. When
assembling a PTC system, it is advised to adhere to the
manufacturer's instructions and seek the advice of
knowledgeable experts to ensure appropriate component
installation, alignment, and performance. This will help the
PTC withstand strong winds and rain. Body fitting shouldbe
improved without sacrificing any components. The fluid
should be flowed properly. Water leaks, pipe damage, and
other issues need to be addressed. Focusing on solar
radiation requires a level mounting surface. Thorough
testing and commissioning processes are carried out when
the assembly is finished to ensure the functionality and
performance of the PTC system. This may include tests to
assess solar concentration, thermal efficiency, fluid flow
rates, pressure levels, and system safety. Here is the cad
model of assembly and actual model.

Fig -2.7: Assembly
Fig -2.8: Actual Model
Table -1: Technical Specification of solar parabolic trough
Collector
2.5 Working
A PTC is a line-focusing type of reflector that directs
sunlight into a straight line after it hits a parabola-shaped
reflector. The parabola's focal point is where the sun's
radiation is concentrated. By placinga receivertubenearthe
focal point, it is possible to extract the thermal energy
contained in solar radiation. The material used to construct
this receiver has good heat conductivity. It transports the
fluid inside with heat from the sun's rays. Ametal orwooden
stand supports the entire setup. To capture the most solar
radiation, the reflector's acceptance angle is manually
adjusted. The deflected light from the reflector is focused
first on the supporting mirrors, then on the collector. This
boosts the sun's energy intensity.
3. BILL OF MATERIAL/COSTING
Table -2: Overall Cost of PTC
4. RESULT
The experiment, aimed at creating an inexpensive parabolic
trough collector for home use using specular reflectors,
copper tube absorbers and a mirror assembly, was
considered successful and allowed water to drop
significantly to 75 degrees Celsius. can be accomplished
without major problems. Consider that not so high quality
materials were usedduetobudgetconstraints.Ourparabolic
trough collector is very light and portable, allowing us to
record heating phenomena at different locations, under
different weather conditions andtimeframes.Belowarethe
test results.
The wind speed was 9 km/hr. and the weather was clear
and sunny, humidityon31.7%andoutsidetemperature was
38°C and cloud coverage was 10%. at Nagpur Maharashtra.
Parameters Specifications
Reflector Material Stainless Steel (Grade – 204)
No. of Mirrors 1
Focal Length 360.12 cm
Linear Diameter 1199.08 cm
Diameter 1100
Depth 210
Volume 99784836.66
Focal Length / Diameter 0.33
Area 950331.8 cm2
Absorber Material Copper
Absorber length 91.44 cm
Sr. No. Name Of the Component QTY COST
1 Wooden Stand 4 500
2 Wooden Supp. Frame 2 800
3 Wooden Upp. Frame 2 300
4 Flow Control Valve 1 100
5 Cupper Rod 1 300
5 Pipes/Elbows 2 150
6 Metal Pipe Holder 2 50
7 Screws 4 50
Total- 2250

Table -3: Temperature variation wrt to time of water and
absorber pipe.
Time (in Hour) Tw
(water temp in
deg. Cel.)
Tp
(absorber pipe
Temp in deg.
Cel.)
10:30 27.3 27.3
11:00 37.1 39.2
11:30 45.6 47.8
12:00 54.3 55.8
12:30 65.1 67.5
01:00 66.2 68.9
01:30 68.6 71.3
02:00 70.5 73.5
Chart -1:: Theoretical estimation of performance of PTC
assisted with mirrors on November 23, 2022
5. COCLUSION
This paper wraps up a succinct analysis of the different
geometrical and thermal characteristics of the parabolic
trough collector. The structure of the PTC, which can
increase efficiency and reduce working costs, is its most
crucial component. The working fluid, also known
as heat transfer fluid (HTF), is the second-most important
factor. Water is typically used as a heat transfer fluid.
Although. The reflector has a significant impact on
the PTC's performance. Polished SS-204 sheet, aluminium
foil, and silver-coated PVC sheet are a few low-cost
substitutes. The absorber should be very absorbent with
minimal heat loss. ThePTC'sperformanceversatilityenables
it to be applied in a variety of domestic and commercial
settings. Mirror integration can also enhance PTC's thermal
performance by lowering solar radiation loss.
Based on the literature, we can speculate that nanofluids
can be used to improve performance, but this is anemerging
area that still needs to be explored. Parabolic trough
collectors replace older solar collectordesigns.Itcanreplace
traditional hot water supply methods.
Our experiment is developed with the goal of providing an
in-depth examination of PTC and multiple applications
utilizing a parabola with a mirror finish and an evacuated
tube configuration in mind. The performance of the
structural and optical performance, thermal performance,
and applications are the essential parameters of a PTC that
are summarized in graphical form asshownabove.700ml of
fluid can be produced while it is still in the pipe. In order to
execute a constant flow through the pipe and obtain
continuous water heating, more research is required. PTC
structure is considered to be the most important parameter
for PTC design, costandperformance.Structural changescan
improve performance and reduce running costs. The heat
transfer fluid is his second mostimportantparameter,asour
work has shown. Water is the most common working
medium. With stainless steel in this case, thereflectorwould
be the most expensive part of his PTC. The receiver should
have low heat loss and absorb high levels of radiation. Glass
tube covers, selective coatings on receiver tubes, pin-fin
inserts, and porous media within the tubes can also be used
to improve PTC efficiency. The Parabolic Trough Collector
(PTC) is an established technology that harnesses solar
energy and converts it into usable heat energy. Throughout
this discussion, we have explored various aspects of PTC,
including design, components, operating principles, and
experimental considerations.
6. REFERENCES
1) Devender Kumar & Sudhir Kumar, 2017, Thermal
performance of solar parabolic trough collector at
variable flow rates: An experimental investigation.
2) H. Jafari Mosleh a , S. Jahangiri Mamouri a , M.B. Shafii a,
2015, A. Hakim Sima b, A new desalination systemusing
a comb ination of heat pipe, evacuated tube and
parabolic through collector.
3) Ali Jaber Abdulhameda,b,⁎ , Nor Mariah Adama , Mohd
Zainal Abidin Ab-Kadira , Abdul Aziz Hairuddina, 2018,
Review of solar parabolic-trough collector geometrical
and thermal analyses, performance, and applications
4) Sunil Nain , Vishal Ahlawat , Sanjay Kajal , Parinam
Anuradha , Ashutosh Sharma , Tej Singh, 2021,
Performance analysis of different U-shaped heat
exchangers in parabolic trough solar collector for air
heating applications.
5) Sahil Thappa1 · Aditya Chauhan1 · A. Sawhney2 · Y.
Anand1 · S. Anand1, 2020, Thermal selective coatings
and enhancement characteristics for efficient power
generation through parabolic trough collector.
6) Dinesh Kumar Suppan & R. Siva Subramanian, 2020,
Performance analysis of parabolic troughsolarcollector
by varying the absorber surface

7) A.V. Arasu and T. Sornakumar,“Design,manufactureand
testing of fiberglass reinforced parabola trough for
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8) K.S. Reddy and K.R.K, “Solar collector field design and
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Development And Testing Of Parabolic Through Collectors For Domestic Applications

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