Thermal Efficiency Improvement Techniques in a Parabolic Solar Collector for Indirect Steam Generation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52262/5qs7q729Keywords:
Parabolic Trough Collectors. Concentrated Solar Power. Hybrid Nanofluids. Heat Transfer Enhancement. Heat Pipe Technology. Passive TurbulatorsAbstract
This review article aims to provide a complete overview of the innovations related to the thermal efficiency of parabolic trough collectors (PTCs) in the concentrated solar power (CSP) industry and will evaluate all the work that has been completed since 2020; this evaluation will evaluate four major areas of innovation, including engineering hybrid nanofluids to improve thermo-physical properties and convective heat transfer coefficients; utilizing advanced heat pipe technology for isothermal operation and effective coupling with phase change materials for thermal storage; applying geometric enhancements and passive turbulence generators to disrupt thermal boundary layers. In addition, it will evaluate the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), including physics-informed neural networks (PINNs) and an emphasis on evolutionary algorithms that will allow for precise thermal modeling and design optimization. Finally, the article will assess the system-level benefits of employing these technologies, including impacts on thermodynamic performance, steam generation dynamics, and techno-economic feasibility as they relate to reducing the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) while enabling poly-generation applications such as the production of green hydrogen.
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