EXPERIMENTAL STUDY FOR PRODUCTIVITY ENHANCEMENT OF A PARABOLIC SOLAR CONCENTRATOR SYSTEM

Abstract

In this research a parabolic solar concentrator system has been experimentally studied. The experimental devise consists of a communication satellite dish with 1.5 m diameter and 0.17 m depth. Its interior surface is covered with aluminum reflecting layer and equipped with a disc receiver, (with diameter of 0.22 m and depth of 0.07 m) in its focal position. The orientation of the dish is assured by the tracking system for the satellite, as a tracking system for the sun, with some limitations. Performance of the solar evaporating system is tested under the local conditions of Najaf city during the interval from 10/3 to 25/4/2010. The data are collected on ambient temperature, temperature of inflow water, water and vapor temperatures inside the receiver. The obtained results showed that the amount of distillate was much dependent on the incident solar radiation intensity and the accurate focusing of the system. The system productivity can range from 6.9 to 15.3 L/day of fresh water, when the air was used to condensate the vapor receiver output (air – cooling), and this productivity increased by 28 – 33.5% when the inflow water used to condensate the vapor receiver output (water – cooling).