SolarAbsorber

Information

Three SolarAbsorber models are available in the library:

  • SolAbsForristal
  • AbsSoltigua
  • AbsSchottSopo

SolAbsForristal

Model SolAbsForristal represents the one-dimensional radial energy balance between the Heat Collector Element (HCE) and the atmosphere based on the Forristal model.
The terms in the energy balance depends on the collector type, the HCE condition, the optical properties and the ambient condition.

The phenomena represented by the model are:

  • Convection in the heat transfer fluid.
  • Conduction and thermal energy storage in the metal pipe.
  • Convection and radiation transfer in the vacuum between the glass envelope and the metal pipe.
  • Conduction and thermal energy storage in the glass envelope.
  • Radiation and convection to the environment.

The model assumptions are:

  • Temperatures, thermal energy flux and thermodynamic properties are considered uniform around the circumference of the HCE.
  • Solar absorption is treated as a linear phenomenon.
  • Constant density in the metal pipe and in the glass envelope.
  • Constant heat capacity in the metal pipe and in the glass envelope.

AbsSoltigua

Model AbsSoltigua solves the 1D radial energy balance around the Heat Collector Element of the Soltigua PTMx parabolic trough solar collector based on the Soltigua data sheet (see http://www.soltigua.com.)
The model allows to defocusing the collectors based on the Internal focusing signal. TRUE Defocusing = 0, FALSE Defocusing =1
Modelling options

  • Geometry: It allows to choose one of the different PTMx model.

AbsSchottSopo

Model AbsSchottSopo solves the 1D radial energy balance around the Heat Collector Element of a solar collector based on a correlation derived in
F. Burkholder and C. Klutscher Heat loss Testing of Schott’s 2008 PTR70 Parabolic Trough Receiver. Technical report. NREL May 2009
Modelling options

  • Geometry: It allows to choose between the Schott PTR70 receiver and the Sopogy micro receiver – Soponova (http://www.sopogy.com).