Optimizing the design of receiver in parabolic trough by using genetic algorithm

Solar energy is critical for the power needs. The pipe design of parabolic trough in solar energy application systems is critical in the collection of solar energy. Pipes with micro-grooves etched in the inner wall have been widely utilized not only as cooling systems but also as absorber receivers in parabolic troughs for solar thermal absorbers because microgrooves improve heat transfer between the inside and outside walls of the pipe. Liquid is automatically pumped vertically along the microgrooves on the inner pipe wall by capillary force, thus resulting in increased surface heat exchange. This study aims to determine the optimum design for parabolic troughs in solar energy application systems. In line with this, a capillary-driven two-phase flow model was constructed to investigate the liquid behavior in grooved pipes and to maximize heat transfer in the pipes. Specifically, this study examined the influence of different microgrooves, fluids, temperatures, radii, and widths of grooves to analyze the maximum liquid front position in the inner wall pipe and to optimize the pipe design via genetic algorithm. Results show that the proposed genetic algorithm can solve more accurately the heat exchange problem and provide an optimal solution which has larger wetting front compared with previous research. (C) 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.