Integrated system of flat plate collector and Scheffler solar concentrator for enhancing thermal efficiency and steam generation rate

ABSTRACT

Scheffler concentrators are used for heating water and producing steam. Flat plate collectors are normally used for low-temperature water heating. In this research work, the performances of a flat plate collector and a Scheffler solar concentrator were studied individually. After careful study of the results, an integrated system was developed to enhance the efficiency. Also, the experimental results were checked and validated through CFD. Flat plate collector shows higher efficiency in heating water up to 50∼60°C and hence this feature is used for pre-heating the water fed to the Scheffler concentrator. As a result, Scheffler concentrator’s thermal efficiency is improved significantly by about 6%. The steam generation rate of integrated system is also increased when compared to that of individual Scheffler concentrator. This study uses experimental works along with numerical methods to substantiate the results providing a good visualisation of the receiver’s performance.

KEYWORDS:

• Solar
• thermal
• concentrators
• characterisation
• performance
• Scheffler

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.