Design configurations and possibilities of reflector shape for solar compound parabolic collector by ray tracing simulation

The objective of this paper is to study various possible configurations of reflectors of the compound parabolic collector (CPC) and select the suitable design as per the requirement. CPC is composed of two parabolic segments which show a wide range of design possibilities with its basic construction. This construction is based on design parameters like acceptance angle, rim angle, parabolic segments, truncation of parabolas, and location of the focus point and concluded for the suitable end application. A graphical ray tracing (GRT) simulation is used to examine the pattern of solar ray concentration for each design possibility. The various reflector configurations are generated from the design-morphological chart and compared on the basis of region and density of ray's concentration. The research emphasizes a novel approach of constructing a CPC with possible design configurations which can find a great scope for further research. The various configurations would help engineers to select and design a CPC as per the requirement.