A novel design to optimize the optical performances of parabolic trough collector using Taguchi, ANOVA and grey relational analysis methods

Parabolic trough collectors (PTC) are the most widely used in the world's highest capacity solar power plants. This paper presents a novel design for a PTC that employs Monte Carlo Ray-Trace (MCRT) method to predict the solar flux distribution on the absorber tube surface. The optical modeling results are in good agreement with previous findings in the literature. Taguchi and ANOVA analysis methods are applied to simultaneously investigate multiple control parameters, and determine their contribution rates. Furthermore, the multi-objective optimization of optical efficiency and solar flux uniformity is achieved using the Grey Relational Analysis (GRA) method. The proposed design achieved an optical efficiency of 83.01% and a heat flux uniformity of 92.24%, demonstrating its effectiveness in balancing optical efficiency and heat flux uniformity. The innovative design can be insightful for future development in the concentrated solar energy field. © 2023 Elsevier Ltd