Thermal Storage by Parabolic Trough Solar Collector in Ouargla Region

Abstract

The Parabolic Trough Collector (PTC) is one of the most widely used collectors in industrial applications for water heating and hot steam production. Significant efforts have been made to improve its efficiency and effectiveness.

In this experimental work, (PTC) has been integrated with a thermal storage system. A theoretical and experimental study was conducted to test the performance and effectiveness of thermal energy storage using paraffin wax as a phase change material (PCM) for latent heat storage. The study was carried out from 07:00 AM to 03:00 PM, utilizing a tank coupled with the PTC system to compensate for interruptions during periods of no sunlight. The study demonstrated the efficiency and impact of paraffin wax on the operation of this solar system, particularly during the phase change stage in the charging phase.

The useful heat gain, solar energy collected per hour, and solar energy stored per hour by the solar collector were determined. The peak was observed at noon and was found to vary with changes in solar radiation. The amount of useful energy acquired by the fluid continues to increase after noon, reaching a maximum value of 5585.64 W due to the transfer of heat from the storage material to the fluid.

In contrast, in the absence of the storage material, the amount of useful energy reaches a maximum value at noon, estimated to be 864.70 W, and then decreases after noon due to heat losses. It was noted that the charging efficiency, when the storage material is present, initially reaches a maximum value of 82.96% and then decreases as solar energy is converted into useful heat for the fluid on one hand and stored heat in the storage material on the other.

In addition, a numerical model was developed using PTC and PCM, and the validity of this model was verified by comparing it with the experimental work.