Design and numerical performance analysis of a Parabolic Trough Solar Concentrator for solar dryer application

The search for innovative solutions to improve the performance of indirect solar dryers (ISD) remains a challenge. The aim of this study is to propose a numerical approach to a Parabolic Trough Solar Concentrator (PTSC) that can be coupled to a solar dryer. A proposed physical model has been analyzed from an energy, exergy and environmental point of view, based on a number of design parameters that impact the PTSC's output performance. The numerical model is simulated in Matlab with Gauss-Seidel method for simulation. Sensitivity analysis shows that a configuration with length of 2.2 m, flow rate of 0.07 kg/s, inlet temperature between 32 and 36°C gives output temperatures of around 70°C maximum and 62°C monthly average. An average of 46% and a maximum of 56% are obtained for the monthly energy efficiency. In addition, an average around of 127 Wh and a maximum around of 158 Wh are obtained for useful heat. The proposed PTSC emits an average of 302.02 gCO ₂ /month. For daily operation, average daily emissions are estimated at 9.93 gCO ₂ /day. Compared with other technologies used in indirect drying, the amount of CO ₂ emissions from biomass is 19605.78gCO ₂ /year, compared with 7618.25gCO ₂ /year from solar thermal and 3624.27gCO ₂ /year from the PTSC studied. This system shows promise in significantly improving the performance of environmentally-friendly indirect solar dryers. An experimental realization would be a necessary asset in the dynamics of innovative solutions for indirect solar dryers (ISD).