What is parabolic trough solar collector?

Parabolic trough (solar) collectors (PTCs) are technical devices to collect the energy in form of solar radiation and convert it typically into thermal energy at temperature ranges of 150–500°C at industrial scale.

What is the function of a parabolic trough?

The parabolic trough reflector is a solar thermal energy collector designed to capture the sun’s direct solar radiation over a large surface area and focus, or more generally “concentrate it” onto a small focal point area increasing the solar energy received by more than a factor of two which means more overall heat …

How do parabolic troughs work?

Parabolic trough is a set of concave mirrors that concentrate solar rays on the receiver tube that is located in the focus. These troughs can track the Sun around one axis, typically oriented north–south to ensure the highest possible efficiency.

What is a parabolic trough made of?

The parabolic trough reflector when used as a solar thermal energy collector is constructed as a long parabolic reflecting mirror which is usually painted a reflective silver, or made from polished aluminium, or uses mirrors which extends linearly into the trough shape.

What is the function of parabolic trough?

How does parabolic solar collection convert sunlight into electricity?

The mirrors focus sunlight onto receivers (tubes) that run the length of the mirrors. The concentrated sunlight heats a fluid flowing through the tubes. The fluid is sent to a heat exchanger to boil water in a conventional steam-turbine generator to produce electricity.

Which tracking system does solar power tower uses?

Solar power towers convert sunshine into clean electricity. The technology uses many large, sun-tracking mirrors commonly referred to as heliostats to focus sunlight on a receiver at the top of a tower.

What are examples of parabolic devices?

Radar antennas, the “dishes” used to pick up satellite television signals, and the reflectors used to concentrate sound from distant sources are all parabolic.

What is the main purpose of parabolic dishes?

Parabolic dish systems use mirrors that are mounted over a parabolic-shaped dish to focus the sun’s rays onto a receiver. The latter is mounted at the focal point of the dish along with a heat engine (Stirling or Brayton cycle engine), which has thin tubes inside it.

How does a parabolic dish work?

How does a parabolic trough work?

Where are parabolas used in real life?

Parabolas can be seen in nature or in manmade items. From the paths of thrown baseballs, to satellite dishes, to fountains, this geometric shape is prevalent, and even functions to help focus light and radio waves.

What is a parabolic trough?

A parabolic trough is a type of solar thermal collector that is straight in one dimension and curved as a parabola in the other two, lined with a polished metal mirror. The sunlight which enters the mirror parallel to its plane of symmetry is focused along the focal line, where objects are positioned that are intended to be heated.

What is a parabolic trough solar collector?

A parabolic-trough collector (PTC) is a linear-focus solar collector, basically composed of a parabolic-trough-shaped concentrator that reflects direct solar radiation onto a receiver or absorber tube located in the focal line of the parabola (see Fig. 7.1).

What type of reflectors are used in parabolic troughs?

A Typical parabolic-trough collector (PTC). Back-silvered thick-glass reflectors are the most widely used type of reflector for parabolic-trough concentrators. This type of reflector is similar to conventional mirrors apart from the curvature and the type of glass used.

What is the maximum temperature a parabolic-trough collector can deliver?

A typical parabolic-trough collector. With today’s technology, parabolic-troughs can deliver useful thermal energy up to 398°C. The main limitation on the maximum temperature is imposed by the thermal oil currently used as the working fluid because it quickly degrades above 398°C.