Experimental validation of mathematical models of identical aluminum and stainless steel engineered conical solar collectors

This paper studies the mathematical modeling of a conical solar collector (CSC) based on different reflector materials and view angles. The optical performance testing using both stainless steel reflector (SSR) and aluminum mirror reflector (AMR) was performed under similar conditions at reflector view angles of 35°, 40°, and 45°, respectively. Main operational parameters related to the thermal/optical efficiencies of the SSR and AMR systems were determined and compared with each other. In addition, the interdependent transient temperature responses of both system components were predicted using Matlab® ordinary differential equation (ODE) solvers. For the purpose of model validation, simulation results from both systems were compared with experimental data. Results showed that the highest efficiencies and maximum water temperatures were achieved at reflector view angle of 45°, but these values were significantly higher in AMR system than SSR system for all of the aforementioned cases.