3. Parabolic Trough Collector Concepts

3. Parabolic Trough Collector Concepts Collector Efficiency

3. Parabolic Trough Collector Concepts

The chapter presents a selection of information to highlight the characteristics of various collectors, some that have been implemented in solar power plants and others that comprehend innovative approaches to enhance the current performance or application. Mainly aspects which define the optical and thermal efficiency are included, as a transition to the analytic section in Chapter 4.

First a categorization of the collectors was required as preparation for the comparative analysis. Following aspects were considered: bearing structure, reflector type and structure materials. The purpose of it is to identify similar aspects of the manufacturing, the assembly, working mechanism and also that of the optical and thermal properties. There are together 34 collectors reviewed in Annex B and sorted in their respective categories as shown in Figure 24.

Parabolic Trough Collectors

* Collector shares properties belonging to another category

Conventional