Thermal and Structural Optimization of Parabolic Trough Systems for Enhanced Energy Conversion Efficiency

This study investigates the optimization of solar thermal energy systems through MATLAB simulations, focusing on critical parameters such as concentration ratio, optical efficiency, heat transfer, energy storage, and receiver design. The aim is to enhance the overall performance of these systems by...

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Main Authors: Muhammad Sajjad, Shahryar Shafique Qureshi, Samrat Ray, Ambe Harrison, Saad F. Al-Gahtani, Zakaria M. S. Elbarbary
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: IEEE 2025-01-01
Series:IEEE Access
Subjects:
Online Access:https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10994503/
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author Muhammad Sajjad
Shahryar Shafique Qureshi
Samrat Ray
Ambe Harrison
Saad F. Al-Gahtani
Zakaria M. S. Elbarbary
author_facet Muhammad Sajjad
Shahryar Shafique Qureshi
Samrat Ray
Ambe Harrison
Saad F. Al-Gahtani
Zakaria M. S. Elbarbary
author_sort Muhammad Sajjad
collection DOAJ
description This study investigates the optimization of solar thermal energy systems through MATLAB simulations, focusing on critical parameters such as concentration ratio, optical efficiency, heat transfer, energy storage, and receiver design. The aim is to enhance the overall performance of these systems by analyzing key factors such as source temperature effects on absorbance, angular errors in optical efficiency, and the impact of heat transfer fluids and material properties on system efficiency. The methodology includes modeling energy storage with phase change effects, assessing focal efficiency in parabolic concentrators, and comparing various absorber and receiver designs. Additionally, the study evaluates system performance for different concentration ratios and thermal efficiencies. Key results highlight a significant increase in absorbance (57.7%) with rising temperatures and a notable decrease in optical efficiency (65%) with increasing angular errors. Furthermore, energy storage demonstrates a 17,000 kJ increase between 500K and 600K, showing potential for enhanced energy retention at higher temperatures. The findings provide valuable insights into optimizing system components, contributing to the design of more efficient solar thermal systems with improved energy collection and storage capabilities. These results underscore the importance of precise design adjustments for maximizing system efficiency in practical applications.
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publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher IEEE
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series IEEE Access
spelling doaj-art-4b4efb5f42a84f82be6f0eff924f07f92025-08-20T03:08:13ZengIEEEIEEE Access2169-35362025-01-0113857598577410.1109/ACCESS.2025.356852510994503Thermal and Structural Optimization of Parabolic Trough Systems for Enhanced Energy Conversion EfficiencyMuhammad Sajjad0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9062-1577Shahryar Shafique Qureshi1Samrat Ray2Ambe Harrison3https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4353-1261Saad F. Al-Gahtani4https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7686-871XZakaria M. S. Elbarbary5https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1750-9244Department of Electrical Engineering, Iqra National University, Peshawar, PakistanTelecom Wing, Ministry of IT & Telecom, Islamabad, PakistanPeter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, Saint Petersburg, RussiaDepartment of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, College of Technology (COT), University of Buea, Buea, CameroonDepartment of Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi ArabiaThis study investigates the optimization of solar thermal energy systems through MATLAB simulations, focusing on critical parameters such as concentration ratio, optical efficiency, heat transfer, energy storage, and receiver design. The aim is to enhance the overall performance of these systems by analyzing key factors such as source temperature effects on absorbance, angular errors in optical efficiency, and the impact of heat transfer fluids and material properties on system efficiency. The methodology includes modeling energy storage with phase change effects, assessing focal efficiency in parabolic concentrators, and comparing various absorber and receiver designs. Additionally, the study evaluates system performance for different concentration ratios and thermal efficiencies. Key results highlight a significant increase in absorbance (57.7%) with rising temperatures and a notable decrease in optical efficiency (65%) with increasing angular errors. Furthermore, energy storage demonstrates a 17,000 kJ increase between 500K and 600K, showing potential for enhanced energy retention at higher temperatures. The findings provide valuable insights into optimizing system components, contributing to the design of more efficient solar thermal systems with improved energy collection and storage capabilities. These results underscore the importance of precise design adjustments for maximizing system efficiency in practical applications.https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10994503/Hybrid solar-biomass systemsenergy conversionperformance analysisparabolic trough collectorsimulationrenewable energy integration
spellingShingle Muhammad Sajjad
Shahryar Shafique Qureshi
Samrat Ray
Ambe Harrison
Saad F. Al-Gahtani
Zakaria M. S. Elbarbary
Thermal and Structural Optimization of Parabolic Trough Systems for Enhanced Energy Conversion Efficiency
IEEE Access
Hybrid solar-biomass systems
energy conversion
performance analysis
parabolic trough collector
simulation
renewable energy integration
title Thermal and Structural Optimization of Parabolic Trough Systems for Enhanced Energy Conversion Efficiency
title_full Thermal and Structural Optimization of Parabolic Trough Systems for Enhanced Energy Conversion Efficiency
title_fullStr Thermal and Structural Optimization of Parabolic Trough Systems for Enhanced Energy Conversion Efficiency
title_full_unstemmed Thermal and Structural Optimization of Parabolic Trough Systems for Enhanced Energy Conversion Efficiency
title_short Thermal and Structural Optimization of Parabolic Trough Systems for Enhanced Energy Conversion Efficiency
title_sort thermal and structural optimization of parabolic trough systems for enhanced energy conversion efficiency
topic Hybrid solar-biomass systems
energy conversion
performance analysis
parabolic trough collector
simulation
renewable energy integration
url https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10994503/
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AT shahryarshafiquequreshi thermalandstructuraloptimizationofparabolictroughsystemsforenhancedenergyconversionefficiency
AT samratray thermalandstructuraloptimizationofparabolictroughsystemsforenhancedenergyconversionefficiency
AT ambeharrison thermalandstructuraloptimizationofparabolictroughsystemsforenhancedenergyconversionefficiency
AT saadfalgahtani thermalandstructuraloptimizationofparabolictroughsystemsforenhancedenergyconversionefficiency
AT zakariamselbarbary thermalandstructuraloptimizationofparabolictroughsystemsforenhancedenergyconversionefficiency