Performance Analysis of a Novel Solar Tracking Mechanism for Solar Parabolic Trough Collector Using Wind Energy

Abstract

This study aims to present a novel technique for an integrated solar concentration system with solar tracking mechanism without electricity or even special materials. In addition to present a novel construction for solar parabolic trough collector as well as a new technique for heat transfer fluid circulation process using wind energy. The tracking mechanism is actuated by stored potential energy which comes from wind energy during the night time while the circulation process utilize the wind energy too during the day time. One windmill actuates both the tracking mechanism and the circulation technique with automatic shift between them. The model have been modelled theoretically then tested experimentally by using calibrated instruments and accurate data acquisition system using LabVIEW code. The experimental results showed the thermal efficiency at most mid-day hours oscillates in the range of (33-38), (40-43), (43-48), and (45-50) % at heat transfer fluid (water) flow rates 0.1, 0.14, 0.18, and 0.22 GPM respectively. The parabolic trough collector of 91 cm width reached maximum temperature of 185 C in fall day and 180 C in winter solstice day where the atmospheric temperature was (18-22 C) and (12-20 C) respectively.