Experimental validation of an optical and thermal model of a linear Fresnel collector system

This paper describes the design and validation of a mathematical model for a solar Fresnel collector. The function of the model is to simulate the optical and thermal dynamics of a Fresnel system for heating water. The model is validated using real data gathered from a cooling plant with double effect absorption chiller located in the School of Engineering University of Seville, Spain (Experimental cooling plant is also described in the paper). Comparison of calculated and plant measured data shows that the error is lower than 3% in the optical model and within 7% in the thermal model. The model uses a new approach to include a solar tracking mirror mechanism in one axis. This tracking has been designed to maximise the reception of available solar radiation by the absorption pipe. The thermal model used is based around classical models for solar receivers and it is validated with real operating data gathered from a supervisor system. The Fresnel model has been designed with sufficient flexibility to consider different geometries and thermal parameters, and may be used to simulate the performance of a proposed Fresnel collector system at any location. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.