Ray tracing and heat transfer simulation of novel glass-covered XCPC collector

The Compound parabolic concentrator used in the solar collector discussed in this paper is of the novel design, glass encased with 23% truncated reflectors and all glass receiver. Optical modeling was done in Light tools illumination design software to determine the optimum optical efficiency within a range of half acceptance angle and the heat transfer modeling and simulation was done in COMSOL Multiphysics simulation software. The Collector was built, tested and performance characterization was done. The experimental tests performed are stagnation test, water test for optical efficiency at low temperatures and closed loop oil test for thermal efficiency at high temperatures as high as 200°C. For the water and oil test, Flow rate method and Calorimetry method were used. The light tools optical modeling gave the optical efficiency of 64%. The stagnation temperature recorded at the absorber at 0% efficiency was 350°C. The water test at the temperature of 30-40°C gave the efficiency of 59%.