Modeling and Simulation of a parabolic trough collector system for heating water under the Algerian Saharan climate condition: Tamanrasset area

this article evaluates the thermal performance of a solar water heating system utilizing a parabolic trough concentrator (PTC). The main goal is to simulate PTC operational parameters using a single-dimensional numerical heat exchange analysis. The receiver, glass envelope, and fluid were segmented and energy balances derived for each section. The partial differential equations that regulate the system were discretized into algebraic formulations and solved concurrently. This study utilized MATLAB programming to solve for direct normal irradiance (DNI) using the Capderou model. DNI was modeled for the equinoxes (March 21st and September 21st) and solstices (June 21st and December 21st) based on recorded data, in order to examine seasonal variations, and water is used as a heat transfer medium. The Capderou model was chosen to calculate the solar radiation for a clear sky condition. The results proved that the selected area has a large amount of radiation, which makes it suitable for the study of the basin. The results also show the obtained water temperature value, which makes the model suitable for the production of hot water.