Effects of Receiver Misalignment on the Intercept Factor of Parabolic Trough Collectors

This study developed a methodology for determining the intercept factor (γ) and reports the effects of varying the design parameters, within realistic ranges, on the optical performance of parabolic trough collectors (PTC). The design equations account for the aperture width of the concentrator, the geometric concentration ratio, rim-angle, and misalignment of the receiver, characterized by the radial and angular offsets. The Latin Hypercube Sampling (LHS)-based ray-tracing method was used. Validation of the method was performed by comparing the results obtained by tracing a single ray with measurements obtained in a two-dimensional (2D) drafting program. Then, parametric analyses were performed to determine the effects of changing the radial and angular offset, geometric concentration ratio, and rim-angle on the percentage change in intercept factor $(γΔ)$ with respect to the γ of a PTC with a perfectly aligned receiver. Finally, contour plots depicting the γ of various standard troughs over the range of radial and angular offsets were plotted, compared, and discussed. An online tool is also presented to help designers and researchers analyze these effects quickly by providing the design parameters.