Computational analysis of multiphase flow boiling in parabolic trough solar collectors

Abstract

Direct steam generation (DSG) in parabolic solar collectors presents a promising method to enhance the efficiency and reliability of electricity production using parabolic trough technology. Generating steam directly in a parabolic trough collector (PTC) with water as the heat-transfer fluid provides a cost-effective avenue for solar thermal power generation. However, the presence of single- and two-phase flows in the absorber pipes of these systems creates challenges in designing effective process control strategies for this technology. To address this issue, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis has been applied to implement a multiphase model capable of accurately simulating the flow behaviour of DSG in PTC systems. This study outlines the modelling approach used to account for uniform heat flux distribution and offers a comparative analysis of various thermal and hydraulic parameters.