Numerical and experimental study of an integrated solar collector with CPC reflectors

The aim of this work is to develop a numerical code able to predict the thermal behavior of a double tank integrated collector storage system (ICS) with compound parabolic concentrator (CPC). The developed numerical model is based on the detailed analysis of the different forms of heat transfers occurring in the ICS system. The balance equations of each element of the system have been established and solved by means of a transient algorithm. A prototype of an ICS device was constructed and experimentally tested outdoors in order to observe the variation of water temperature in the storage tanks. The experimental results are presented and the validity of the model is examined by comparison of the theoretical results with experiments which demonstrates a good agreement. The numerical model is then used to perform theoretical study on the present ICS solar heater. The simulation results of the variation of the thermal efficiency are presented. The results of the yearly parametric study of the effect of the concentrators reflectivity, the absorber emissivity and the use of double glazing on the thermal performance of the ICS system are also presented and discussed. The developed numerical tool within this work can be considered as important for the study of double tanked ICS solar water heater regarding its transient thermal behavior.

► Numerical model of a double tank ICS solar water heater with asymmetric CPC.
► The model is based on the heat transfer analysis of the ICS.
►  Experimental prototype was set up.
► Validation of the model with experiments gives good agreement.
► Theoretical study of the ICS heater is then presented.