Article
Energy & Fuels
Georgios E. Arnaoutakis, Dimitris Al. Katsaprakakis, Dimitris G. Christakis
Summary: This paper investigates the potential of two concentrating solar power technologies, central power towers and parabolic trough collectors, in the same plant configuration through dynamic modeling. The results show that the configuration of a power tower and parabolic trough collectors has a more stable power profile and higher capacity factor compared to standalone plants based on a single technology.
Article
Thermodynamics
Rohit Goyal, K. S. Reddy
Summary: Parabolic trough collector is a widely used and efficient technology for generating solar thermal power. The use of supercritical CO2 as a heat transfer fluid shows great potential for improving its efficiency. A numerical thermal model and optical analysis were used to analyze the entropy generated by s-CO2 in a parabolic trough collector and determine the optimal operating conditions.
APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Natraj, B. N. Rao, K. S. Reddy
Summary: Solar energy, an emerging technology, is increasingly utilizing concentrating power technology in solar power plants, with the structural stability of parabolic trough collectors being crucial in maintaining optical and thermal efficiencies under wind loads. The study highlights the impact of wind loads on slope deviations and the importance of yaw and pitch angles in collector design, as well as the differences in performance between collectors made of different materials.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Diogo Cabral, Abolfazl Hayati, Joao Gomes, Hossein Afzali Gorouh, Pouriya Nasseriyan, Mazyar Salmanzadeh
Summary: A two-trough parabolic-shaped concentrating photovoltaic solar collector was designed and tested outdoors for its daily electrical peak power and efficiency. The collector successfully shifted the electrical peak power to higher incidence angles, reducing the stress on the photovoltaic cells and high radiation intensity.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Qiliang Wang, Yao Yao, Zhicheng Shen, Hongxing Yang
Summary: A novel parabolic trough collector-photovoltaic (PTC-PV) system is proposed to enhance the thermal performance and solar utilization efficiency. Mathematical models are established and experiments are conducted to validate the superior performance of the hybrid PTC-PV system.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Wisam Abed Kattea Al-Maliki, Sajda S. Alsaedi, Hayder Q. A. Khafaji, Falah Alobaid, Bernd Epple
Summary: The validated dynamic model of a parabolic trough power plant (PTPP) is improved by introducing a new feedwater circuit and a reference feedwater circuit, as well as developing the steam turbine model. The purpose is to increase the power output during the day and extend the night operating hours at a lower cost. This improvement reduces the reliance on fossil fuel backup system and lowers the specific energy cost of the PTPP.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Thermodynamics
Alireza Shariatifard, Emad Hasani Malekshah, Narges Akbar
Summary: This study aims to analyze the thermal and hydrodynamic behaviors of a solar collector by examining the effect of absorber's geometry and operating fluid. By combining experimental observation and a modern numerical method, the thermal performance of a parabolic trough solar collector is investigated, with a focus on influential factors such as Rayleigh number, hybrid nano-powder concentration, and absorber profile structure.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NUMERICAL METHODS FOR HEAT & FLUID FLOW
(2022)
Article
Thermodynamics
P. Ferrer, Khaled Mohamad, M. C. Cyulinyana, Victor Kaluba
Summary: In this article, design approaches to a receiver enclosed in an opaque cavity and heated by a solar parabolic trough collector are discussed. The optimization of the interaction between the cavity receiver and the solar radiation from a collector mirror is explored, which differs from conventional receivers and is essential for utilizing the benefits of using a cavity sleeve. Through simulations, different focal plane positions and the relative sizes of the receiver elements are investigated, and a focal plane close to the surface of the absorber pipe is found to have the highest efficiency at 62%. An experimental cavity receiver and parabolic trough system are then built based on the simulations, and the simulation results are validated against measured data with a maximum discrepancy of 8%. A novel method using the cooling behavior of the receiver is also applied to confirm the physical parameters through simulations.
APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Sara Ruiz-Moreno, Jose Ramon D. Frejo, Eduardo F. Camacho
Summary: Using artificial neural networks to approximate the optimal flow rate given by an MPC controller significantly reduces the computational load to 3% of the MPC computation time. The neural network controllers provide practically the same mean power as the MPC controller with less abrupt changes at the output and slight violations of the constraints.
Article
Thermodynamics
Rohit Goyal, K. S. Reddy
Summary: Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) technologies, particularly Parabolic trough collector (PTC), play a significant role in renewable power generation. The study focuses on improving the efficiency and operations of solar PTC by utilizing supercritical CO2 (s-CO2) as the heat transfer fluid (HTF). The research evaluates heat transfer correlations for horizontal flow in smooth tubes and compares them with validated numerical simulations to predict average Nusselt numbers.
APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Thermodynamics
M. Arun, Debabrata Barik, K. P. Sridhar
Summary: This research analyzed the performance of a parabolic trough solar collector with a dimple tube and TiO2/DI-H2O nanofluid using computational fluid dynamics. The results showed that using nanofluids can significantly enhance the efficiency and convective heat transfer coefficient of the solar collector.
JOURNAL OF THERMAL ANALYSIS AND CALORIMETRY
(2022)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Anish Malan, K. Ravi Kumar
Summary: This study provides a critical summary of various raytracing techniques to investigate the optical and thermal performance of the parabolic trough solar collector (PTSC). It examines the journey of flux distribution studies, different methods like analytical approach, measurements techniques, and modeling software, with a focus on the impact of various parameters on the flux distribution. The study also suggests numerical studies for future research in this domain.
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES AND ASSESSMENTS
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Yu-tian Hou, Xiao-hui Yu, Bin Yang, Shuai-shuai Liu, Yao Qi
Summary: A mathematical model was developed in this paper to investigate and evaluate the optical properties of a parabolic trough solar collector (PTC) system with a flat receiver. The optimal geometric design for the same geometrical focusing ratio was derived through simulations. The study found that the optical performance has large variations in local concentration ratio (LCR) at the center of the flat receiver and is superior at rim angles of 75 degrees - 90 degrees under ideal conditions.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Youssef Drira, Nadim Fakhfakh, Skander Jribi, Hatem Bentaher, Ilyes Benhassine, Lotfi Ammar
Summary: Parabolic trough collectors (PTCs) are advanced and widely used in solar concentrating systems, but their high cost and technology requirements hinder their implementation in low-income countries. This study assessed the performance of two small-scale solar thermal production units (SPLFR and PTC-SS) as alternatives to PTCs.
ARABIAN JOURNAL FOR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Thermodynamics
Shaobing Wu, Runsheng Tang, Changmei Wang
Summary: The numerical algorithm proposed for calculating the intercept factors of a parabolic trough solar collector was found to provide quick and convenient results, which are accurate for various types of secondary reflection concentrators.
Article
Engineering, Civil
J. Piquee, A. A. Garcia-Risco, I. Lopez, C. Breitsamter, R. Wuechner, K. -U. Bletzinger
Summary: Flexibility during flight using elasto-flexible membrane-material systems can reduce loads, and the difference between rigid and flexible configurations of wind turbine blades under gust conditions was analyzed.
JOURNAL OF WIND ENGINEERING AND INDUSTRIAL AERODYNAMICS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Martin Fusseder, Roland Wuechner, Kai-Uwe Bletzinger
Summary: This contribution presents a computational engineering tool for investigating the sensitivity responses of a structural analysis model to variations in model parameters. It introduces a method based on the relationship between adjoint sensitivity analysis and the classical technique of influence functions, allowing for the evaluation of sensitivities for general responses, parameters, and structures. The paper discusses the methodological relationship and demonstrates how the influence function of important responses can be identified using the adjoint sensitivity equation. The results of sensitivity analysis are visually processed as maps, similar to the traditional method of influence functions. The application of the method and sensitivity maps is demonstrated through engineering structure examples, highlighting the importance of model parameters in the structural design process.
ENGINEERING STRUCTURES
(2022)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Ihar Antonau, Suneth Warnakulasuriya, Kai-Uwe Bletzinger, Fabio Michael Bluhm, Majid Hojjat, Roland Wuechner
Summary: This work presents the latest updates on the Vertex Morphing technique for large optimization problems, discussing its application in node-based shape optimization and showcasing an efficient method to handle different physical responses and geometrical constraints. An example of industrial importance supports the work, highlighting the practicality and potential of this technique.
STRUCTURAL AND MULTIDISCIPLINARY OPTIMIZATION
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Anoop Kodakkal, Brendan Keith, Ustim Khristenko, Andreas Apostolatos, Kai-Uwe Bletzinger, Barbara Wohlmuth, Roland Wuechner
Summary: Reducing wind excitation through aerodynamic shape modification is an important strategy for mitigating reaction forces on supertall buildings. This study proposes a risk-averse shape optimization method that considers uncertainties in wind velocity, terrain conditions, and wind flow direction. Computational fluid dynamics and state-of-the-art optimization algorithms are used to minimize the bending moment at the base of the building, resulting in cost and material reduction as well as a lower carbon footprint. The research demonstrates the effectiveness of the risk-averse design approach in computational wind engineering.
COMPUTER METHODS IN APPLIED MECHANICS AND ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Manuel Messmer, Tobias Teschemacher, Lukas F. Leidinger, Roland Wuechner, Kai-Uwe Bletzinger
Summary: This publication presents a robust and efficient approach for fully CAD-integrated analyses of solids. The approach embeds a three-dimensional object into a uniform B-Spline cuboid and utilizes trimming surfaces for material distinction. It constructs efficient quadrature rules to reduce simulation times and achieves optimal convergence in energy norm.
COMPUTER METHODS IN APPLIED MECHANICS AND ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Stefan Grabke, Kai-Uwe Bletzinger, Roland Wuchner
Summary: Coda wave interferometry is a structural health monitoring technique that detects cracks in concrete using diffuse ultrasound. This study develops a sensitivity kernel-based methodology for damage localization and successfully applies it in experiments.
ENGINEERING STRUCTURES
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Tobias Teschemacher, Peter Wilson, Roland Wuechner, Kai-Uwe Bletzinger
Summary: This publication presents a study that aims to characterize the mechanical properties at a macro level for future numerical analysis of structured masonry using modern hollow bricks. Simulations were conducted to determine the minimum specimen size that is invariant to boundary and size effects, and an experimental program was executed to fully quantify the orthotropic material parameters suitable for macro-scale simulation.
ENGINEERING STRUCTURES
(2022)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Tobias Teschemacher, Anna M. Bauer, Ricky Aristio, Manuel Messmer, Roland Wuechner, Kai-Uwe Bletzinger
Summary: This publication presents the necessary steps for pre- and post-processing of isogeometric analysis and isogeometric B-Rep analysis, focusing on data collection. The essential prerequisites for preparing and collecting geometrical information, which is combined with physical information to create numerical models, are revealed. It addresses both direct computation on existing CAD drawings and geometrical design in the preparation of numerical models, using the open source Rhino plugin Cocodrilo as an example to bring IGA to a larger community, including research and industrial facilities.
ENGINEERING WITH COMPUTERS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Civil
A. Winterstein, S. Warnakulasuriya, K. -U. Bletzinger, R. Wuechner
Summary: This paper proposes a high-fidelity simulation approach for wind effects on high-rise and slender structures, and a validation strategy using on-site measurements. The developed procedures are shown with the example of the Olympic Tower in Munich to demonstrate their applicability and highlight the challenges and relevance of certain aspects in modeling, simulation, and validation. The results of the wind-structure interaction simulations show good accordance with the on-site measurements, indicating the potential of Computational Wind Engineering approaches.
JOURNAL OF WIND ENGINEERING AND INDUSTRIAL AERODYNAMICS
(2023)
Correction
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Ihar Antonau, Suneth Warnakulasuriya, Kai-Uwe Bletzinger, Fabio Michael Bluhm, Majid Hojjat, Roland Wuechner
STRUCTURAL AND MULTIDISCIPLINARY OPTIMIZATION
(2023)
Article
Mathematics, Interdisciplinary Applications
Carlos Eulogio Flores, Klaus Bernd Sautter, Philipp Bucher, Alejandro Cornejo, Alessandro Franci, Kai-Uwe Bletzinger, Roland Wuechner
Summary: This work presents a modular coupling approach that combines particle methods with the finite element method (FEM). The proposed strategy takes advantage of the particle methods' ability to handle large displacements and deformations, particularly in complex fluid-structure and solid-structure interaction problems. The coupling is achieved through a co-simulation approach implemented in the Kratos Multiphysics framework. The particle methods considered in this work are the discrete element method (DEM) and the particle finite element method (PFEM). Several numerical examples, focusing on natural hazards, are presented to test and validate the proposed method.
COMPUTATIONAL PARTICLE MECHANICS
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Bin Yang, Haitao Zhu, Qilin Zhang, Roland Wuechner, Siyuan Sun, Jiahui Qiu
Summary: This paper presents a wind load inversion algorithm for high-rise buildings based on the Kalman filter, and verifies the effectiveness of this method through examples.
JOURNAL OF BUILDING ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Kumar Rajnish, Anoop Kodakkal, Daniel H. Zelleke, Rishith E. Meethal, Vasant A. Matsagar, Kai-Uwe Bletzinger, Roland Wuechner
Summary: This study investigates the implementation of machine learning for real-time prediction of the damping ratio of a semi-active tuned mass damper (SA-TMD) to enhance vibration control in vehicle-bridge interaction (VBI) problems. The response assessment of different bridge models is performed under a Japanese SKS train model. The energy-based predictive (EBP(R)) control algorithm is implemented for the SA-TMD, but its effectiveness reduces for complex VBI systems due to computational time delay. To overcome this, a control strategy based on the weighted random forest (WRF) algorithm is proposed. Results show that the WRF algorithm suppresses bridge vibration more effectively than the EBP algorithm.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS-BRIDGE ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Siyuan Sun, Bin Yang, Qilin Zhang, Roland Wuechner, Licheng Pan, Haitao Zhu
Summary: This paper aims to develop a fast online implementation of covariance-driven SSI (COV-SSI), which analyzes the computational cost of COV-SSI and accelerates two time-consuming steps. Numerical examples are used to validate the speed and accuracy of the proposed fast online strategies.
MECHANICAL SYSTEMS AND SIGNAL PROCESSING
(2023)
Article
Mathematics, Interdisciplinary Applications
Veronika Singer, Tobias Teschemacher, Antonia Larese, Roland Wuechner, Kai-Uwe Bletzinger
Summary: The Material Point Method (MPM) is a numerical method used for simulating large-scale soil deformations. This paper presents a novel element-wise formulation to impose non-conforming Dirichlet conditions using Lagrange multipliers. The proposed method provides a robust, efficient, and user-friendly boundary imposition method for immersed methods specified in implicit MPM.
COMPUTATIONAL MECHANICS
(2023)
