In this study, efficiency of a parabolic trough collector (PTC) has been analyzed by employing a fin inside the semicircular absorber. As the concentrated solar flux is higher at the focal point, the triangular fin is placed at the focal point on the semicircular absorber to enhance the heat transfer. Ray tracing simulations of the PTC system have been conducted by using SolTrace software. ANSYS Fluent software is used to perform the thermal analysis of the receiver. The results of the PTC system with finned semicircular absorber have been compared with the conventional system, Reynolds numbers 0.28 × 10⁵ to 3 × 10⁵ and for inlet temperatures from 350K to 600K. The thermal efficiency of the PTC has been improved (up to 0.67%) with fins.

heat transfer enhancement, semicircular finned absorber, parabolic trough collector, concentrated solar power.

Received: May 6, 2022;  Accepted: July 20, 2022; Published: September 30, 2022

How to cite this article: Ramesh Kumar Donga and P. Suresh Kumar, Enhancement of heat transfer in a semicircular absorber of PTC receiver using a fin, JP Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer 29 (2022), 91-103. http://dx.doi.org/10.17654/0973576322045

This Open Access Article is Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

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