Experimental Investigation of the Thermal Performance on a Solar Parabolic trough Collector in the Caribbean Region

摘要

The main objective of this paper is to present a new tool to design parabolic trough collectors(PTC),based on the theoretical heat transfer principles,solar radiation models and weather conditions at the Colombian Caribbean Region,connect equations to find PTC dimensions,build one PTC for specific process conditions and compare predictions of the model and experimental performance.Related to the findings of this study,experimental performance data differs from model predictions,real efficiencies are lower than theoretical results.Finally,the use of solar energy should be increased at commercial and residential buildings,it makes necessary to create tools for new solar powered systems using parabolic trough collector.