Aerodynamic Analysis of Wind Loading on Parabolic Trough Collectors Using High-Fidelity CFD Modeling

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

2 Scopus Citations

Abstract

Wind loading on parabolic solar collector support structures is the key driver for material costs. As identified by NREL's CSP Best Practices project [1], ability to predict wind-loading in deep-arrays and the impact of edge effects has potential to decrease levelized cost of electricity (LCoE) by 15%. In this study, we present a high-fidelity computational model that can model the flow around deep arrays of parabolic troughs under varying turbulent inflow conditions. Ability to accurately reproduce atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) profiles is first demonstrated through Large Eddy Simulation (LES) simulations and compared against wind tunnel measurements. Thereafter, unsteady turbulent flow past single row and six row configurations is computed using hybrid RANS/LES simulations. Investigations of wind loading, through parametric tilt angle variations of single row and on waked collectors in six-row configuration, are used to highlight design considerations for parabolic troughs only possible through high-fidelity unsteady calculations.

Original languageAmerican English
Number of pages9
DOIs
StatePublished - 12 May 2022
Event26th International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems, SolarPACES 2020 - Freiburg, Virtual, Germany
Duration: 28 Sep 20202 Oct 2020

Conference

Conference26th International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems, SolarPACES 2020
Country/TerritoryGermany
CityFreiburg, Virtual
Period28/09/202/10/20

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 Author(s).

NREL Publication Number

  • NREL/CP-2C00-78061

Keywords

  • aerodynamics
  • atmospheric dynamics
  • computational models
  • solar collectors
  • solar thermal technologies
  • turbulence simulations
  • turbulent flows

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