Optimal design of parabolic through solar collector networks: A design approach for year-round operation

In this article, area optimization in parabolic trough solar collector (PTC) networks used in industrial processes is explored. The Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) technique to maximise economic benefits while minimising total operating costs is employed. The objective also considers flexibility across wide temperature ranges and process heat loads. To achieve this the relationship between solar collection area and associated costs, including initial investment, maintenance, and energy efficiency is meticulously analysed. This work proposes strategies for the optimal adjustment of PTC collector area, accounting for thermal variations and specific demands of industrial processes. The results indicate that the optimised geometry of a PTC, which maximizes the present value of annual energy savings, has the following dimensions: length: 12.5 m; aperture: 5.8 m; tube diameter: 0.014 m; focal distance: 1.449 m; glass envelope inner diameter: 0.111 m. For a process thermal load ranging from 0.4 MW to 4 MW, the optimal network structure that maximizes energy capture in both summer and winter consists of 12 collectors in series (125 m long), with the number of parallel lines proportional to the heat duty. In this article, area optimization in parabolic trough solar collector (PTC) networks used in industrial processes is explored. The Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) technique to maximise economic benefits while minimising total operating costs is employed. The objective also considers flexibility across wide temperature ranges and process heat loads. To achieve this the relationship between solar collection area and associated costs, including initial investment, maintenance, and energy efficiency is meticulously analysed. This work proposes strategies for the optimal adjustment of PTC collector area, accounting for thermal variations and specific demands of industrial processes. The results indicate that the optimised geometry of a PTC, which maximizes the present value of annual energy savings, has the following dimensions: length: 12.5 m; aperture: 5.8 m; tube diameter: 0.014 m; focal distance: 1.449 m; glass envelope inner diameter: 0.111 m. For a process thermal load ranging from 0.4 MW to 4 MW, the optimal network structure that maximizes energy capture in both summer and winter consists of 12 collectors in series (125 m long), with the number of parallel lines proportional to the heat duty. The network size is determined by the required heat load more than the inlet and required process temperature.