Comprehensive experimental study using a parabolic trough solar air collector with enhanced receivers: A comparative study.

The main objective of this work is to investigate the performance characteristics of two types of thermal receivers used in parabolic solar air heater (PSAH). Solar air heater performance was evaluated using a straight hierarchical square receiver with fins (Case 1) and a triangular receiver cavity with a copper tube (Case 2), both located at the focal length of a parabolic aluminum trough. The collector is assessed based on the temperatures at the heat exchangers' output and the efficiency of the receiver. It has been observed that the Case 1 heat exchanger performs the system better than the Case 2 heat exchanger. The maximum outlet temperature of air achieved at an air flow rate of 0.0186 Kg/s is 46 ℃ and 43.7 ℃ at 13:00 PM when Case 1 and Case 2 are employed. The maximum efficiency achieved is 12% at 13:00 PM when the heat exchanger of Case 1 is employed and 10% with the use of the heat exchanger of Case 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]