Journal of Thermal Engineering, Vol. 7, No. 3, pp.

550-569, March, 2021

Yildiz Technical University Press, Istanbul, Turkey

OPTICAL NUMERICAL INVESTIGATION OF A SOLAR POWER PLANT OF

PARABOLIC TROUGH COLLECTORS
Mokhtar Ghodbane1*, Boussad Boumeddane1, Ahmed Kadhim Hussein2, Dong Li 3, S. Sivasankaran4

ABSTRACT
Going forward towards developing and improving renewable energies in Algeria is one of the main objectives
of this study, especially, solar energy that is an exceptional and continuous source of energy. Algerian Sahara has a
large area suitable for agriculture, but not connected to the electricity network. Therefore, the construction of solar
power plants based on the solar energy concentration has been proposed for the electricity production, which is
exploited in the rest of the economic sector of the Algerian state. Through the study conducted under real weather data
for the day March 16th, 2018, an optical characterization of a solar power plant of parabolic trough concentrator has
been convoyed in El-Oued region, Algeria. The geometrical and the optical characteristics of studied solar collector
have been determined, such as the optical efficiency, the local concentration ratio, the cosine effect of the incidence
angle, the optical losses at the ends of the receiver tube, the shading effect, the blocking effect, and the coefficient of
incidence angle modifier and intercept factor. MATLAB code has been used as a program for numerical programming.
Of the most important results obtained, it was found that the optical efficiency has exceeded 77.22 %. As for the local
concentration ratio, its maximum value is equal to 116.30 in the lower part of the receiver tube at the peripheral receiver
angles “β=91° and 269°", while the minimum values of this important coefficient were recorded at the top of the
receiver tube.

Keywords: Solar energy, Power plants, Parabolic trough collector, Optical investigation, Numerical
Simulation

INTRODUCTION
Renewable energies are a major development globally, especially solar energy [1, 2], which is the source of
the remaining types of renewable energies. Renewable energy sources are preferred, not only because they can meet
the global energy shortage that is mostly dependent on fossil energies, but also because renewable energies exist in
abundance with sustainable and environmentally friendly energy.
Solar energy is one of the most abundant renewable energy sources in the world. It is a solar radiation that
can be used in several fields, the most important of which are: electricity production and charge the batteries [3-7], air
conditioning [8-11], heat swimming pools [12], air heating [13-15], water heating [16-18], nanofluids applications [19,
20], solar irrigation [21, 22], cook food [23, 24], desalination [25, 26], drying [27, 28] and process heat applications
[29, 30]. For good use and more efficient use of solar energy, there are many techniques for solar collectors that can
be used, including the compound parabolic collectors (CPCs) [31, 32], the evacuated tube collectors (ETCs), the
Flat-plate collectors (FPCs) [33-35], the Heliostat field collectors (HFCs) [36], the linear Fresnel reflectors (LFRs)
[37-39], the parabolic dish reflector (PDRs) [40, 41] and the parabolic trough collectors (PTCs) [42-44]. Based on
several rigorous scientific researches, it has been possible to improve the efficiency of the above-mentioned solar
collectors using nanoparticles suspended in the working fluid, as the nanoparticles improve the heat transfer inside the
working fluid [45-47]. One of the most important scientific researches that dealt with improving the thermal transfer
coefficient of working fluids through nanotechnology, studies carried out by Mebarek‐Oudina [48], Said et al. [49-52],
Raza et al. [53], Bellos and Tzivanidis [54, 55] and Alkasassbeh et al. [56]. However, in order to make the solar
collector system effective during the day, the night and in cloudy weather conditions, it is necessary to rely on efficient
storage systems for thermal energy to be used when necessary in the absence of a solar energy source.

This paper was recommended for publication in revised form by Regional Editor Mustafa Kılıç
1
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Saad Dahlab University of Blida 1, Blida 09000, Algeria
2
College of Engineering - Mechanical Engineering Department – University of Babylon - Babylon City – Hilla – Iraq
3
School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Northeast Petroleum University, Fazhan Lu Street, Daqing, 163318, China
4
Department of Mathematics, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
*E-mail address: [email protected]
Orcid ID: 0000-0003-1350-8631*, 0000-0002-1947-6397, 0000-0002-4360-0159, 0000-0002-2692-9091, 0000-0001-9443-7091
Manuscript Received 28 August 2019, Accepted 27 September 2019
 Journal of Thermal Engineering, Research Article, Vol.7, No.3, pp. 550-569, March, 2021

The subject of this paper is about Parabolic Trough Collectors (PTCs) technology. This solar system was
considered the most used especially in power plants, due to its high optical and thermal efficiency [57-59], but
somewhat is a high cost compared to linear Fresnel reflector technology. The PTC collector consist of a linear parabolic
mirror, which concentrates the beam radiation on a receiver tube positioned along the focal line, in which circulates a
working fluid [60-62].
Because of the importance of this type of solar concentrators, there is in the literature a lot of scientific research
that has addressed this solar technology with great accuracy, including the work done by Manikandan et al. on
identifying ways to enhance and improve the optical and thermal efficiency of PTCs [63]. Moreover, Azzouzi et al.
have conducted an experimental study on a PTC with a large rim angle in order to determine the optical comportment
of the manufactured prototype [64]. In addition, Moloodpoor et al. have conducted a study on the thermal comportment
of PTC solar collectors based on the intelligence swarm enhancer [65]. Beside, Bello et al. conducted a number of
scientific research on this effective technique [66-70], where they touched on many areas of technology during their
research (Industrial uses, thermal behavior study, optical behavior study, nanoparticle efficiency improvement, etc.).
Besides, Korres et al. chose to use nanofluids as a working fluid with a laminar regime with a compound parabolic
trough solar collector (CPTC) [32].
On a clear day, the PTC collector follows the sun along one north-south axis of rotation, meaning that the
reflective mirror reflects the beam radiation from sunrise east until evening arrives west at sunset. Direct sunlight is
not completely perpendicular to the reflective mirror surface, either because of random or non-random errors [57]. For
this reason, it was necessary to calculate the geometric and optical coefficients with great accuracy in order to
accurately determine the optical efficiency of the studied collector. Consequently, the main objective of this paper is
to conduct an optical investigation of a solar power plant consisting of PTC solar collectors, in order to estimate its
optical characteristics based on:

• The geometric parameters;

• The optical parameters;
• The change in the climatic conditions of the region of El-Oued, Algeria for the day of March 16th,
2018.
Therefore, results obtained will allow engineers’ specialists in the construction of PTC solar power plants,
knowing all the engineering, design and optical parameters that help determine:
• The change in incidence and sun height angles;
• The distance evolution between two consecutive rows;
• Total optical loss due to random and non-random errors, engineering errors and visual errors;
• The field collector optical efficiency;
• The change in the local concentration ratio “LCR”, i.e. the thermal distribution on the absorber tube
surface for a PTC collector’s model.
Thus, this study is very important in all respects, theoretically for advanced students, and technically for
engineers responsible for the construction of power plants, because the fact the visual aspect of such solar collectors
is very complex.

MATHEMATICAL EQUATIONS GOVERNING THE OPTICAL MODEL

The optical investigation of solar collectors is one of the most important physical factors in determining the
performance of these collectors. For solar concentrators, the optical properties of the reflective mirrors are
characterized by the reflection coefficient of the reflective mirrors "ρm", the transmission coefficient of the glass tube
"τ", the intercept factor "" and the absorption coefficient of the receiver tube "αAb".
When solar radiation reaches the collector, a significant amount of energy is lost for three reasons (geometric,
optical and thermal). In this work, the design errors and optical errors that are generally associated with parabolic
trough solar collector have been discussed. Figures 1(a-b) show the engineering description of the studied solar
reflector.

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(a)

0.60
W/2=0.6m Absorber tube ( mm)
0.55
0.50
0.45
rr=0.75m r=53.1301°
0.40
0.35
Y (m)

0.30 F=0.6m
0.25
0.20
0.15 Curve length "CL"=1.2481m
0.10
0.05
hp=0.15m
0.00
-0.6 -0.4 -0.2 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6
X (m)
(b)
Figure 1. Engineering of the studied solar collector: a) Comprehensive appearance [68], b) Cross-section

Table (1) illustrates the geometric characteristics of studied solar reflector. The receiver tube is the main
element of the considered reflector, whose role is to absorb incident direct-normal solar irradiance “DNI, (W/m²)”, to
transform it into thermal power and to transmit this energy to a fluid heat carrier. Table (2) represents the optical
characteristics of elements solar collectors.
In addition, the reflector of the parabolic form is one of the most important parts of studied PTC; its purpose
is to concentrate direct-normal solar irradiance in the focal line. Moreover, the reflectors are mirrors that can have
different shapes and can be made from different materials depending on the configuration chosen by the exploiter.
Based on what has been said previously, the optical losses have a direct relationship with the receiver tube, the
reflective mirror and the distance between two successive parabolic trough collectors in the same solar power plant.

Design Errors
As shown in Figures (2 and 3), design errors are represented in the geometric losses. The optical performance
of the parabolic trough collector varies according to the location and time of use, because climatic conditions have a

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 Journal of Thermal Engineering, Research Article, Vol.7, No.3, pp. 550-569, March, 2021

direct impact on the efficiency of these collectors [71, 72]. Therefore, the choice of site for the construction of solar
power plants is an important factor for good performance of these power plants.

Table 1. Geometric characteristics of studied PTC

Geometric feature Value Geometric feature Value

Outer diameter of the absorber (DA,ext) 0.016 m Curve length of the reflective mirror (CL) 1.2481 m

Inner diameter of the absorber (DA,int) 0.0142 m Rim angle (r) 53.1301 °

Outer diameter of the glass (DG,ext) 0.02 m Rim radius (rr) 0.75 m

Inside diameter of the glass (DG,int) 0.0175 m Parabola depth (hp) 0.15 m

Mirror length (ℓ) 12.27 m Opening width of the reflective mirror (W) 1.2 m

Parabolic trough solar collectors are designed to operate with single-axis tracking. A tracking drive system
rotates the manifold about a rotation axis until the Sun central radius and the normal opening area are perpendicular.
In addition, the collector performance is still threatened by these factors: reflection loss, absorption loss and losses due
to geometric imperfections of the optical system.

Figure 2. Lost areas by the end effect and the blocking effect for the studied collector

Geometric losses are those that occur due to the reduction of the effective area, where they may be inherent
to each manifold, or depending on the relative position of the collector between them [73-75]. The geometric factor
"Af" is the ratio between the lost area "Al, (m²)" and the opening area "Aa, (m²)", it calculates the effective reduction
of the aperture area due to abnormal incidence effects, including blockages, shadows, and loss of radiation reflected
from the mirror beyond the end of the receiver tube. When solar radiation is reflected by the reflective mirror to the
receiver tube, part of its length does not reach the solar radiation from the reflective mirror because the solar collector
is generally horizontal and single axis of followed by the Sun. Thus, during the solar collector from sunrise to sunset,
some of the beam radiation reflected near the end of the reflector opposite the sun cannot reach the receiver tube; this
is phenomena called the end effect. The lost opening area "Ae, (m²)" can be estimated as follows [73, 76]:

𝑊2
𝐴𝑒 = 𝐹. 𝑊. 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝜃𝑖 [1 + ] (1)
48𝐹 2

Generally, PTCs terminate with opaque plates to avoid unwanted or dangerous concentrations outside the
absorber tube. These plates cause the blocking or shading of a portion of the receiver tube, which indeed reduces the

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opening area. For a plate extending from the rim to the rim, Equation (2) can calculate the lost area resulting from
shading “Ab, (m²) [73, 76-78].

2
𝐴𝑏 = 𝑊. ℎ𝑃 . 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝜃𝑖 (2)
3

Therefore, Equation (3) gives the total loss in the opening area.

𝑊2 2
𝐴 𝑇𝐿 = 𝐴𝑒 + 𝐴𝑏 = 𝐹. 𝑊. 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝜃𝑖 [1 + ] + . 𝑊. ℎ𝑃 . 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝜃𝑖
48𝐹 2 3
𝑊2 2 (3)
= {𝐹. 𝑊 [1 + 2 ] + . 𝑊. ℎ𝑃 } . 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝜃𝑖
48𝐹 3
= 𝐴𝑙 . 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝜃𝑖

Therefore, to find the total loss in the opening area "Al, (m²)" without taking into account the incidence angle,
the two surfaces "Ae" and "Ab" are summed without including the term "tan(i)" [76, 73]. Finally, the geometric factor
"Af" is given by [76, 73]:

𝐴𝑙 𝐴 𝑇𝐿
𝐴𝑓 = = (4)
𝐴𝑎 𝐴𝑎 . 𝑡𝑎𝑛( 𝜃𝑖 )

According to Wang et al. [74], the end loss factor “ηendloss” at both ends of the receiver tube in terms of the
curve length of the reflective mirror “CL, (m)” , the focal distance "F, (m)" and the incidence angle ", (°)" can be
calculated by Equation (5).

𝐹
𝜂𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑠 = 1 − 𝑡𝑎𝑛(𝜃𝑖 ) (5)
ℓ

In PTC power plants, the reflectors are arranged in rows. The distance “L spacing, (m)” between each two
consecutive rows is given by:
𝑊. 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃𝑖
𝐿𝑠𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑛𝑔 = 𝑚𝑎𝑥[ ] (6)
𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃𝑍

Figure 3. Shaded area in the PTCs field when the distance between the collectors is not sufficient

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 Journal of Thermal Engineering, Research Article, Vol.7, No.3, pp. 550-569, March, 2021

With “Z, (°)” is the zenith angle in a solar power plant of parabolic trough collectors, the value of the distance
“Lspacing, (m)” between two consecutive rows of PTCs corresponds to the smallest value of "Cos (Z)".
As it is known, the shadow decreases with the increase of the sun height angle “hS, (°)”, so it increases
proportionally with the increase of the incidence angle “i, (°)”, therefore, the factor “ηshadow” for the calculation of the
rank shadow at low solar altitude is given by:

𝐴𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑑
𝜂shadow = 1 − = 1 − 𝑆𝐶𝑜𝑒𝑓
𝐴𝑎 (7)

With “SAR=Ashaded/Aa” is the shaded area rate, while “Ashaded, (m²)” is shaded area of the reflective mirror, it
can be calculated by Equation (8).

cosα𝑆
𝐴shaded = ℓ. 𝐿𝑠𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑛𝑔 .cos (tan−1 ( )) (8)
tanh𝑆

Optical Errors
There are two types of optical errors as follow [57, 73]:
• Random errors that are caused by environmental factors where the existing solar collector (error in
geometric accuracy of the reflective mirror, mirror reflectivity error, error caused by the presence of
dust on the receiver tube and the reflective mirror) [57, 79];
• Non-random errors are directly related to the optical parameters, which depend on the properties of
the materials used, the arrangement of the receiver tube in the focal line and the angular errors of the
reflective mirror [57, 73].
According to Guven et al. [71], the both types of errors (random and non-random) can be combined in one
relation in order to determine the universal error parameters for all the concentrator geometries [57, 73]; this relation
is the relationship that groups the geometric parameters of the parabolic trough collector.
The intercept factor “” is the most complicated optical factor in calculating the optical efficiency; it represents
the ratio between the energy intercepted by the receiver tube and that reflected by the reflective mirror. For a receiver
extending from anointed A to point B, the intercept factor is given [37, 80]:

𝐵
∫𝐴 𝐷𝑁𝐼(𝑅)𝑑𝑅
𝛾= +∞ (9)
∫−∞ 𝐷𝑁𝐼(𝑅)𝑑𝑅

Where “R, (m)” is the outer radius of the absorber tube and “DNI, (W/m²)” is the reflected radiation that is
incident on the receiver tube surface as shown in Figure (4).

DNI(R)

-R +R
A 0 (Center) B

Figure 4. Solar radiation distribution on the receiver tube surface

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 Journal of Thermal Engineering, Research Article, Vol.7, No.3, pp. 550-569, March, 2021

The intercept factor “” takes into account all the errors related to the reflection and concentration of the solar
radiation. The main sources of these errors are [57, 73]:

• Some of the reflected sunlight from the mirror is not concentrated on the absorbent tube, but reflects outside
the focal level of the receiver tube;
• Reflected sun rays do not pass through the receiver tube when reflective mirror shows defects in irregularities;
• The receiver tube is positioned incorrectly in the focal plane;
• Dust or some dirt on reflective mirror or receiver tube.

In addition, these errors may also occur due to some defects caused by improper solar system manufacturing or
errors caused by inaccuracies in the tracking system.

Table 2. Optical characteristics of studied PTC

Parameter Value

Overall average optical error (Operror) 03 mrad

Mirror reflection coefficient (ρm) 0.92

Transmissivity of the glass cover () 0.945

Absorption coefficient of the absorber (αAb) 0.94

The emissivity of the absorber tube (Ab) 0.12

The emissivity of the glass (G) 0.935

The optical efficiency “ηop” is the quantity of solar energy absorbed by the receiver tube divided by the amount
of direct-normal normal radiation incident on the opening area. The collector optical efficiency can be calculated by
Equation (10) [57, 73].

𝜂op = 𝜌𝑚 . 𝛾. 𝜏. 𝛼𝐴𝑏 . 𝐾(𝜃𝑖 ) (10)

Where the factor “K(i)” is one of the factors to be taken into account in determining the optical efficiency of
solar reflectors, it is a coefficient that corrects the incidence angle “i, (°)” of the solar irradiance arrival into the
reflective mirror. This coefficient is called the correction coefficient of the incidence angle modifier it can determined
from Equation (11) [57, 81].

𝐹 𝑊2
𝐾(𝜃𝑖 ) = 1 − [(1 + ) 𝑡𝑎𝑛(𝜃𝑖 )] (11)
ℓ 48𝐹 2

As conveyed by Kalogirou (2009) [73], the optical efficiency can be calculated using Equation (12).

𝜂𝑜𝑝𝑡 = 𝜌𝑚 × 𝛾 × 𝜏 × 𝛼𝐴𝑏 × (1 − 𝐴𝑓 𝑡𝑎𝑛(𝜃𝑖 ) 𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝜃𝑖 )) (12)

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By comparing the two Equations (9 and 11), it is concluded that the correction coefficient of the incidence
angle modifier can be calculated based on the relational relationship:

𝐾(𝜃𝑖 ) = 1 − (𝐴𝑓 . 𝑡𝑎𝑛(𝜃𝑖 ) . 𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝜃𝑖 )) (13)

In order to trace the optical behavior of the solar power plant, a program was created on the MATLAB
software. This program has allowed the evaluation of all optical factors.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Weather Conditions
All numerical simulation results, as well as the effect of geometric and optical parameters on the evolution of
various optical factors and the optical efficiency of a solar power plant of parabolic trough collector will be presented.
This study deals with the optical behavior of the parabolic trough reflectors field in El-Oued region (altitude
62 meters, latitude 33° 29' 24'' North, longitude 06° 47' 50'' East) at Algeria. El-Oued area is characterized by a hot and
dry desert climate in summer and a cold climate in winter, with wind in spring. This region is a desert state rich in
agricultural resources (water and arable land), and has a large solar radiation. March 16th, 2018 was chosen as a day to
conduct this optical examination of the studied solar power plant.

1200
Solar irradiance (W/m2)

1100
1000 Direct
900 Diffuse
800 Global
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Time (Hour)
Figure 5. Measured values of solar irradiance

As is evident in Figure (5), it is illustrious that the highest value of direct-normal solar irradiance reached
1102.5716 W/m² at 10:50, and the lowest value reached 5.42891 W/m² at 19:00. Moreover, it is obvious that there are
some clouds between 11:30 and 15:00.
The variation in the ambient air temperature and the wind speed are shown in Figure (6). The highest value
of air temperature touched 29.85 °C at 08:50, and the lowest value was 22.75 °C at 07:30. As for the wind speed, its
topmost value recorded in the evening between 16:00 and 18:00, where it reached 8.7 m/s; therefore, this wind speed
will not touch the optical performance of the solar power plant because it is near to sunset. As for the lowest value of
wind speed is 4.1 m/s, this value was noted between 10:00 and 12:00. Reality, these meteorological data are
encouraging to create the ambition of the establishment of solar power plants fields (Flat, Point and Linear solar
collectors [36]) in El-Oued region, Algeria.

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Air temperature Wind speed

30 9.0

Ambiant air temperature (°C)

29 8.5

Wind speed (m.s-1)

8.0
28
7.5
27 7.0
26 6.5

25 6.0
5.5
24
5.0
23 4.5
22 4.0
6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Time (Hour)
Figure 6. Measured values of the ambient air temperature and the wind speed
Estimation of Incidence and Sun Height Angles
When referring to the equations mentioned above, it is clear that all optical transactions are directly related to
the incidence angle “i, (°)” between the sun's rays and the surface normal. For a horizontal plane, the incidence angle
and the zenith angle “Z, (°)” are the same. In the case of solar concentrators, a tracking mechanism is usually used to
allow the concentrator to follow the sun. In this study, horizontal east-west tracking for a single-axis tracking
mechanism was used, where the receiver tube is parallel to the north-south axis. Therefore, for a PTC collector, the
solar energy incident on the opening surface is in function of two parameters:

• The direct-normal solar irradiance;

• The sun position relative to the solar reflector opening.

Therefore, Figure (7) illustrates the evaluation of the incidence angle and the sun height angle versus time for
the selected day of study. For reference only, the timing listed in Figure (7) is GTM +2. According to Figure (7), the
both angles are contrasted in their evolution from sunrise to sunset. The maximum value of the incidence angle is at
sunrise (i =83.77°) and sunset (i =89.16°), while the minimum value is at midday (i =35.6°). As for the sun height
angle, its maximum value is at midday (i =54.40°), and its minimum values are at both ends of the day, i.e., at sunrise
(i =6.23°) and sunset (i =0.84°). Usually, all solar collectors’ types (plan and concentration) are not installed
horizontally, but in order to increase the amount of radiation intercepted and to reduce the reflection and the cosine
losses.
90
Incidence angle "i"
80
Sun height angle "hs"
70
60
Angle (°)

50
40
30
20
10
0
7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Time (Hour)
Figure 7. Assessment of the incidence angle and sun height angle vs. time

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Estimation of Geometric Errors

Many engineering and design factors reduce PTC's optical performance. These factors are the losses caused
by the blockage, the losses caused by the shadows and the losses at the end of the absorber tube (End effect). To solve
the problem of thermal losses caused by blocking, the distance between two consecutive rows of PTCs collectors in
the same field must be determined with great precision. In addition, the amount of solar energy absorbed by the receiver
tube length would be the amplitude of the incoming solar beam radiation multiplied by the correction coefficient of
the incidence angle modifier “K (i)”, this coefficient is varied according to the cosine of the incidence angle multiplied
by the length of PTC collector. The solar collectors’ arrangement series in the field is in the form of parallel rows.
Figure (8) proves the evolution of the distance between two rows in a concentrated thermodynamic solar power plant
field. two consecutive rows "Lspacing"
6.0 Maximum Lspacing
5.5
(5.792 m)
5.0
Distance between

4.5
4.0
3.5
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Time (Hour)
Figure 8. Distance evolution between two consecutive rows
According to Figure (8), the great distance between the field rows is 5.792 meters; this distance will
significantly reduce the amount of thermal loss caused by blockage in a solar power plant with the same dimensions
as the studied PTC. However, this value corresponds to the time of the sunrise, where the amounts of solar radiation is
very weak and does not serve the station. Therefore, the design engineer of the solar station should choose the
appropriate distance between two consecutive rows of solar reflectors based on the connection between Figures (5, 6
and 8) in order to optimize the investment of the plant and give it a reasonable space.
One of the important parameters that must be precisely defined when working on PTCs is the shading and
blocking factors. Figure (9) illustrates the evolution of the lost opening area, the lost area resulting from shading, the
factor of the rank shadow at low solar altitude and the shaded area of the reflective mirror.
6.5 1.0
6.0 0.9
"Af" and "endloss"

5.5
0.8
5.0 Ae
Lost area (m²)

4.5 0.7
Ab
4.0 0.6
3.5 ATL
0.5
3.0 Af
2.5 0.4
2.0 endloss 0.3
1.5
0.2
1.0
0.5 0.1
0.0 0.0
30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95
Incidence angle (°)
Figure 9. Assessment of geometric losses in terms of incidence angle

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Through Figure (9), it is noted that:

• As for the total loss in the opening area "ATL, (m²)", it changes directly with the change of the incidence angle,
where it changes proportionally to this angle, this means that increasing the incidence angle value increases
the total loss in the opening area. In addition, the maximum value of ALT is 5.672 m² at the incidence angle of
89.16°, while the minimum value is 0.323 at i=35.61°;
• The geometric factor "Af" has a direct relationship with the total loss in the opening area, where it changes
proportionally to ALT.As for the maximum value of Af is 0.77 at the incidence angle of 89.16°, while the
minimum value is 0.043 at i=35.61°;
• As for the end effect factor “ηendloss”, it is noted that its variation at the end of the absorber tube is adversely
affected by the incidence angle “i". Its values are low at sunrise, then start to rise until noon, and then fall
back until sunset. As for the minimum value of “ηendloss” is 0.46 at the incidence angle of 89.16°, while the
minimum value is 0.9825 at i=35.61°;

From Figures (7 and 9), it is evident that the all-engineering losses of the studied PTC are significant at sunrise
and then decrease until noon, after which they increase again until sunset, as they change directly with the incidence
angle. For reference, the incidence angle is changes with the solar zenith angle and the solar azimuth angle. In addition,
the geometric dimensions have a direct effect on the change of the geometric error values of the solar reflectors, which
is shown in Equations (1-8).

Estimation of Optical Errors

As shown in Equation (10), the optical efficiency varies with several factors. After conducting this numerical
study, it was able to calculate these optical coefficients moment by moment from sunrise to sunset as a function of
changing the incidence angle, where the changing these optical coefficients of the studied solar collector is shown in
Figure (10). Through Figure (10), it is concluded that:
• The intercept factor “” varies from 0.92 to 0.971 for incidence angles “i, (°)” changing from 35.61
to 89.16, where the average value of this factor is 0.967;
• By the results obtained from Equation (11), the correction coefficient of the incidence angle modifier
“K(i)” varies from 0 to 0.85 for incidence angles changing from 35.61 to 89.16;
• By the results obtained from Equation (13), “K(i)” varies from 0 to 0.90 for “i” changing from
35.61 to 89.16;
• The uncertainty between the results obtained from equations 11 and 13 is 0.067%; this uncertainty
is acceptable which confirms the accuracy of the results obtained.
1.0
0.9
Optical coefficients

0.8
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3 K(i) Eq. 11
0.2 K(i) Eq. 13
0.1 Intercept factor ()
0.0
35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90
Incidence angle (°)
Figure 10. Assessment of the optical coefficients

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Therefore, the curves of Figure (10) show the reasonable values obtained by numerical solution, where the
studied solar reflector has optical properties that vary substantially with its geometry. Besides, the change in geometric
structure and optical properties of the solar reflector elements directly affects the collector optical efficiency as shown
in Figure (11). In addition, the changing beam radiation has a direct effect on the intercept factor in determining optical
comportment of the studied device, where Equation (9) shows this which means that the weather data has a direct
impact on the efficiency of the device.

Direct-normal irradiance (W/m²)

0.7950 Optical efficiency Eq. 10 1120
Optical efficiency Eq. 12
0.7925 Direct-normal irradiance 1008
Optical efficiency

0.7900 896
0.7875 784

0.7850 672

0.7825 560
448
0.7800
336
0.7775
224
0.7750
112
0.7725
0
7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Time (Hour)
Figure 11. Assessment of the optical efficiencies
Through Figure (11), it is noted that:
• By the results obtained from Equation (10), the minimum value of the optical efficiency “ηopt” is
78% at sunset and sunrise, while its maximum value is equal to 79.38% at 10:50. With regard to its
average value is 78.54%;
• By the results obtained from Equation (13), the minimum value of “ηopt” is 77.22 % at sunset and
sunrise, while its maximum value is equal to 78.59% at 10:50. With regard to its average value is
77.76;
• The uncertainty between the results obtained from equations 10 and 12 is 0.78%; this uncertainty is
acceptable which confirms the accuracy of the results obtained.
It is noticeable that both equations 10 and 12 have given acceptable values for optical efficiency; in all cases,
the efficiency has exceeded 77.22 %. In addition, the effect of changing weather data (Beam radiation) is evident on
the optical efficiency curves, indicating the accuracy of the results obtained.
When studying a field of this type of solar concentrator, all the previously obtained results should be taken
into account, as they directly affect the optical efficiency of solar collectors. Since each sequential concentrator in this
field is parallel, the shaded area must be addressed as shown in Figure (12). From Figure (12), it is concluded that:

• The total area of the reflective mirror aperture “Aa, (m²)” of the studied collector is 14.724 m²;
• The shaded area is highly valued at sunrise of 14.28 m², then decreases as the sun height angle “hs,
(°)” increases until almost zero between 10:10 and 16:10, and then begins to increase again until it
reaches 14.28 m²at the beginning of sunset;
• The shaded area rate is directly affected by the change of the shaded area; it is increasing by its
increase and it is decreasing by its decrease. This means that its maximum value is at sunrise and
sunset “SAR=0.97”, and its minimum value is between 10:10 and 16:10, a value of about zero;

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• The shading factor “ηshadow” resulting from two consecutive rows of parabolic trough collector varies
in reverse completely with the shaded area rate, so its values are very low in the sunrise
“ηshadow=0.03”, then start increasing until fixed between 10:10 and 16:10 at a value of about one, and
then start decreasing again until it reaches the value of 0.03 at the beginning of sunset.

14.750 1.0
Reflective mirror area (m²)

13.275 0.9

Shading coefficients
11.800 0.8
10.325 0.7
Ashaded
8.850 0.6
Aa
7.375 0.5
SAR=Ashaded / Aa
5.900 0.4
shadow 0.3
4.425
2.950 0.2
1.475 0.1
0.000 0.0
7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Time (Hour)
Figure 12. Assessment of the shaded area in in the PTCs solar power plant

As explained above, the solar power plant contains a series of parallel PTCs orbiting around a southern axis
that tracks the movement of the sun from sunrise east to sunset west, i.e., each two adjacent PTC lines are arranged in
parallel rows. The distance between two rows is conceived by engineers designing the field based on the dimensions
of the PTCs solar power plant, climatic conditions and geographic data of the place.
Due to the sun's low solar altitude in the morning, the easternmost array of concentrators (The first row of
mirrors located east of the field) will receive full sun, but this row will shade all the next rows to the west. As the sun
rises and the collectors follow the sun, this shading effect of the rows decreases until a critical zenith angle is reached
and no shading of the rows occurs. The rows of the PTCs remain without shade until the middle of the day, from the
end of the morning to the beginning of the afternoon. As seen in Figure (12), losses are introduced by shading the
concentrators for about the first and last 120 minutes of operation each day. Generally, the duration of row shading
does not vary significantly throughout the year.
Using real weather data for a particular place, the engineering and optical coefficients investigated by this
study have a direct effect on the local concentration ratio (LCR) of the beam radiation on the receiver tube, where the
local concentration ratio is the ratio between the thermal flow density perceived by the absorber tube and the beam
radiation density. So far, there is no empirical work has identified the local concentration ratio and the distribution of
concentrated solar radiation flux on the peripheral absorber tube. Figure (13) represents the local concentration ratio
distribution on the cross-section of the peripheral absorber tube in terms of beam radiation, with "DNI = 1079 W/m²"
and "θi =39.1664°".

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At 11:00 DNI=1079 W.m-2 & i=39.1664° At 08:00 DNI=230.5 W.m-2 & i=68.50 °

Local concentration ratio "LCR"

0
330 30
125.0
300 60
112.5
100.0 270 90

87.5 240 120

75.0 210 150

180
62.5
50.0
37.5
25.0
12.5
0.0
0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300 330 360
Peripheral absorber angle "" (°)
Figure 13. Evaluation of the local concentration ratio

Through Figure (13), the maximum value of LCR is equal to 116.30 in the lower part of the absorber tube at
the peripheral receiver angles “β=91° and 269°". The upper part of the circular absorber tube is exposed to the intensity
of beam radiation without concentration, where a LCR value of 4.75×10-17 was recorded at "β=0°". Therefore, it is
concluded that the local concentration ratio in the longitudinal direction of the receiver tube is distributed uniformly,
but it is irregular in the transverse direction of the receiver tube, where the concentration is very significant values at
the bottom of the absorber tube corresponding to the reflective mirror. As for the upper part of the receiver tube, the
values the LCR is very weak because it receives the beam radiation directly without concentration.

CONCLUSION
This paper aims to conduct an optical investigation of a parabolic trough collector in order to show the real
optical behavior for the field solar collectors on March 16th, 2018 in El-Oued, Algeria. This study allowed determining
the geometric and optical errors in terms of real weather data. Numerical simulation based on the analysis and
simplification of equations has allowed calculation:

• The change in the cosine effect of the incidence angle "θi, (°)";
• The change in the Sun height angle "hs, (°)" from sunrise to sunset;
• The change in the distance “Lspacing, (m)” between two consecutive rows;
• The change in the total loss in the opening area “Al, (m²)” without taking into account the incidence
angle;
• The change in the total loss in the opening area “ATL, (m²)” with taking into account the incidence
angle;
• The change in the geometric factor "Af";
• The change in the end effect factor “ηendloss”;
• The change in the intercept factor “”;
• The change in the correction coefficient of the incidence angle modifier “K(i)”;
• The change in the shaded area of the reflective mirror “Ashaded, (m²)”;

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• The change in the shaded area rate “SAR”;

• The change in the shading factor “ηshadow”;
• The change in the optical efficiency “ηopt”;
• The change in the local concentration ratio “LCR”.

Thus, fourteen important optical parameters were calculated, because before the construction and
establishment of any solar power plant with PTC collectors, the engineers must identify these important parameters
with big precision.
In all case of this study, the optical efficiency has exceeded 77.22 %. As for the local concentration ratio, its
maximum value is equal to 116.297 in the lower part of the receiver tube at the peripheral receiver angle “β=180°",
while the minimum values of this important coefficient were recorded at the top of the receiver tube.
Finally, the research team is currently working on the design of an experimental model for this studied solar
collector, with the same dimensions and the same characteristics, in order to conduct optical and thermal experiments
on it, which opens the prospects for the development of this type of solar concentrators.

NOMENCLATURE
Aa Opening area of the solar collector, m²
Ae Lost opening area, m²
Al Total loss in the opening area without taking into account the incidence angle, m²
Ab Lost area resulting from shading, m²
Af Ratio between the lost area and the opening area
AG,ext Extern surface of the glass cover, m²
Ar Copper absorber tube surface, m²
Ar,ext Outer surface of the copper absorber tube, m²
Ashaded Shaded area of the reflective mirror, m²
ATL Total loss in the opening area in terms of incidence angle, m²
CL Curve length of the reflective mirror, m
DA,ext Outside diameter of the copper absorber tube, m
DA,int Inner diameter of the copper absorber tube, m
DG,ext Outer diameter of the glass cover, m
DG,int Inside diameter of the glass cover, m
DNI Direct-normal irradiance, W/m²
F Focal distance, m
hS Sun height angle, °
K(θi) Correction coefficient of the incidence angle modifier
Lspacing Distance between each two consecutive rows, m
ℓ Mirror length, m
Operror Overall average optical error
hP Parabola depth, m
R Outer radius of the receiver tube, m
rr Rim radius, m
SAR Shaded area rate
W Opening width of the reflective mirror, m

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Abbreviations

CPCs Compound parabolic collectors

CPTC Compound parabolic trough solar collector
ETCs Evacuated tube collectors
FPCs Flat-plate collectors
HFCs Heliostat field collectors
LFRs Linear Fresnel reflectors
PDRs Parabolic dish reflectors
PTCs Parabolic trough collectors

Greek symbols
 Cover glass transmittance
 Intercept factor
Ab Absorber tube emissivity
G Emissivity of glass Cover
αAb Absorption coefficient of the receiver tube
αS Solar azimuth angle, °
ηopt Optical efficiency
ηendloss End loss factor
ρm Primary mirrors reflectivity
r Rim angle, °
θi Incidence angle, °
Z Zenith angle in a solar power plant of parabolic trough collectors, °
β Peripheral absorber angle, °

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