Solar energy has emerged as a reliable and sustainable source of power generation in recent times. Its ability to provide clean energy has made it a popular choice among researchers and energy enthusiasts. However, harnessing the energy of the sun requires a thorough understanding of the technology behind solar thermal systems.
Ecosense installed The Solar Concentrator Training System at NIE, South Campus Mysore, a couple of years back. It is a valuable educational tool that provides hands-on experience in solar thermal technology. In this article, we will explore the recent revamping of the Solar Concentrator Training System at NIE, South Campus Mysore.
The Solar Concentrator Training System is a compact and miniaturized version of a parabolic trough collector-based water heating system. It consists of parabolic reflectors, absorber tubes, a sun tracker, piping, storage tanks, and a heat exchanger. The system can be used to perform experiments on heat transfer, parabolic trough characteristics, and heat loss at different parts of the system. The control panel controls different devices and measures the different parameters of the system.
In recent times, the Solar Concentrator Training System at NIE, South Campus Mysore, has been revamped to make it more efficient and user-friendly. In the revamp essential components of the system, including control panel,tracking system, and storage units are serviced. The service has significantly improved the overall performance of the system and made it more accessible for students and researchers.
The revamp has also improved the tracking system of the Solar Concentrator Training System, which maximizes the system's efficiency.
The revamp of the Solar Concentrator Training System at NIE, South Campus Mysore, is helping significantly in the development of solar thermal technology education. The revamped Solar Concentrator Training System is a valuable tool for anyone interested in learning about solar thermal technology and its potential for sustainable energy generation.
Technical Characteristics of Solar Concentrator Training System:
• Dual axis sun tracking
• Two types of absorber tubes
• Two types of Working Fluid
• Flexibility to change the working fluid
• Flexibility to change the absorber tube
• Evaluation of different parameters (UL, FR and efficiency) with oil/ water as working fluid
• Provision to vary the flow rate of fluid
• Provision to change insulation thickness
• An active measurement panel to measure inlet temperature, outlet temperature, plate temperature, flow of water and wind speed
Experiments one can perform with Solar Concentrator Training System
• Determine the Performance factors such as Heat loss coefficient (UL), Heat Removal Factor (FR), Overall efficiency (η) of the of the Parabolic Trough collector with fixed parameters with (i) water and (ii) oil as working fluid.
• Determine the Performance factors such as Heat loss coefficient (UL), Heat Removal Factor (FR), Overall efficiency (η) of the Parabolic Trough collector with varying solar insulation with (i) water and (ii) oil as working fluid.
• Determine the Performance factors such as Heat loss coefficient (UL), Heat Removal Factor (FR), Overall efficiency (η) of the Parabolic Trough collector with varying flow rate of fluid with (i) water and (ii) oil as working fluid.
• Determine the Performance factors such as Heat loss coefficient (UL), Heat Removal Factor (FR), Overall efficiency (η) of the Parabolic Trough collector with changing insulation thickness with (i) water and (ii) oil as working fluid.
• Determine the Performance factors such as Heat loss coefficient (UL), Heat Removal Factor (FR), Overall efficiency (η) of the Parabolic Trough collector with different inlet fluid temperatures with (i) water and (ii) oil as working fluid.
• Determine the Performance factors such as Heat loss coefficient (UL), Heat Removal Factor (FR), Overall efficiency (η) of the Parabolic Trough collector with different wind speed with (i) water and (ii) oil as working fluid.
• Determine the Performance factors such as Heat loss coefficient (UL), Heat Removal Factor (FR), Overall efficiency (η) of the Parabolic Trough collector with different ambient temperature with (i) water and (ii) oil as working fluid.
• Find an optimum flow rate of fluid for getting minimum heat losses (or maximum heat gain) for different insulation thickness with (i) water and (ii) oil as working fluid.
Revamping the Solar Concentrator Training System at NIE, South Campus Mysore
Demonstration of Equipments Conducted
Engineers of Ecosense conducted a detailed demonstration of the systems. The demonstration and training session was joined by faculty members and students of the department focussing on how to get the best results from the system.