Evaluation of A Parabolic Basin Complex Using Porous Aluminum ?Filling In An Absorbent Receiver

Abstract

This study proposes a detailed PTC model. Our motive was to ensure accuracy while ensuring fast and inexpensive calculations. These tests were performed using aluminum porous media with two operation modes: an evacuated glass absorption tube. Air and metallic aluminum fibers are added inside the absorption tube. To improve the performance of the parabolic basin complex, the model was tested in Kirkuk, Iraq, under actual operating conditions. The results were as follows: Thermal efficiency reached a maximum of 27.51% without any substance at a flow rate of 0.8 LPM and a radiation intensity of 1202 W/m2. However, when including porous media, the maximum efficiency increased to 45.76% at the same flow rate of 0.8 LPM, with a radiation intensity of 1220 W/m2. That is, the results showed an improvement in performance by 18.25%. Therefore, porous materials' permeability and thermal conductivity are essential to determining the temperature gradient. The porous medium's porosity and increased thermal conductivity increased the exit temperature. The results indicated the possibility of using aluminum metallic fibers for the system to improve performance.