International Journal of

ADVANCED AND APPLIED SCIENCES

EISSN: 2313-3724, Print ISSN: 2313-626X

Frequency: 12
line decor
  
line decor

 Volume 12, Issue 5 (May 2025), Pages: 168-176

----------------------------------------------

 Original Research Paper

Experimental investigation into multi-stage parabolic dish concentrators for smart village energy applications

 Author(s): 

 Pravin Katare 1, 2, *, Santosh Bopche 3, Suraj Vairagade 3, Meenakshi Tumane 4, Ling Shing Wong 5, Choon Kit Chan 1

 Affiliation(s):

 1Faculty of Engineering and Quantity Surveying, INTI International University, Nilai, Malaysia
 2Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Marathwada Mitra Mandal’s College of Engineering, Pune, India
 3Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Bajaj Institute of Technology, Wardha, India
 4Gyanakshi Analytics LLP, Pune, India
 5Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, INTI International University, Nilai, Malaysia

 Full text

    Full Text - PDF

 * Corresponding Author. 

   Corresponding author's ORCID profile:  https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4898-550X

 Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  https://doi.org/10.21833/ijaas.2025.05.016

 Abstract

Due to the increased level of solar concentration, high-temperature zones ranging from 700 to 800 °C can be generated at the focal point of a solar dish collector, enabling steam production. This study presents experimental investigations of newly developed, efficient, and compact solar equipment that requires less land area. The experimental setup includes two parabolic dish collectors with diameters of 1.83 m and 3.05 m, and three copper receivers—two hemispherical (cavity-type, internally heated) and one conical (externally heated). The performance of this system is compared with that of a simple single-stage system under similar concentration ratios. At lower Reynolds numbers, the solar collection efficiency improves by 12%. The steam generated in the receiver can be further pressurized and stored for later use in various rural applications.

 © 2025 The Authors. Published by IASE.

 This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

 Keywords

 Solar concentration, Parabolic dish, Copper receivers, Steam generation, Energy efficiency

 Article history

 Received 16 January 2025, Received in revised form 1 May 2025, Accepted 7 May 2025

 Acknowledgment

The authors appreciate the support from INTI International University, Nilai, Malaysia, and Marathwada Mitra Mandal’s College of Engineering, Pune, India. 

  Compliance with ethical standards

  Conflict of interest: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

 Citation:

 Katare P, Bopche S, Vairagade S, Tumane M, Wong LS, and Chan CK (2025). Experimental investigation into multi-stage parabolic dish concentrators for smart village energy applications. International Journal of Advanced and Applied Sciences, 12(5): 168-176

  Permanent Link to this page

 Figures

  Fig. 1 Fig. 2 Fig. 3 Fig. 4 Fig. 5 Fig. 6 Fig. 7 Fig. 8 

 Tables

  Table 1  

----------------------------------------------   

 References (35)

  1. Abdessemed A, Bougriou C, Guerraiche D, and Abachi R (2019). Effects of tray shape of a multi-stage solar still coupled to a parabolic concentrating solar collector in Algeria. Renewable Energy, 132: 1134-1140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2018.08.074   [Google Scholar]
  2. Aboelmaaref MM, Zayed ME, Zhao J, Li W, Askalany AA, Ahmed MS, and Ali ES (2020). Hybrid solar desalination systems driven by parabolic trough and parabolic dish CSP technologies: Technology categorization, thermodynamic performance and economical assessment. Energy Conversion and Management, 220: 113103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2020.113103   [Google Scholar]
  3. Babaeebazaz A, Gorjian S, and Amidpour M (2021). Integration of a solar parabolic dish collector with a small-scale multi-stage flash desalination unit: Experimental evaluation, exergy and economic analyses. Sustainability, 13(20): 11295. https://doi.org/10.3390/su132011295   [Google Scholar]
  4. Bader R, Haueter P, Pedretti A, and Steinfeld A (2009). Optical design of a novel two-stage solar trough concentrator based on pneumatic polymeric structures. Journal of Solar Energy Engineering, 131(3): 031007. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.3142824   [Google Scholar]
  5. Bushra N and Hartmann T (2019). A review of state-of-the-art reflective two-stage solar concentrators: Technology categorization and research trends. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 114: 109307. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2019.109307   [Google Scholar]
  6. Cooper T, Ambrosetti G, Pedretti A, and Steinfeld A (2013). Theory and design of line-to-point focus solar concentrators with tracking secondary optics. Applied Optics, 52(35): 8586-8616. https://doi.org/10.1364/AO.52.008586   [Google Scholar] PMid:24513906
  7. Feuermann D and Gordon JM (1999). Solar fiber-optic mini-dishes: A new approach to the efficient collection of sunlight. Solar Energy, 65(3): 159-170. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0038-092X(98)00129-7   [Google Scholar]
  8. Friedman RP, Gordon JM, and Ries H (1996). Compact high-flux two-stage solar collectors based on tailored edge-ray concentrators. Solar Energy, 56(6): 607-615. https://doi.org/10.1016/0038-092X(96)00015-1   [Google Scholar]
  9. Kasaeian A (2019a). Thermal evaluation of cavity receiver using water/Pg as the solar working fluid. Journal of Thermal Engineering, 5(5): 446-455. https://doi.org/10.18186/thermal.624341   [Google Scholar]
  10. Kasaeian A (2019b). Comparison study of air and thermal oil application in a solar cavity receiver. Journal of Thermal Engineering, 5(6): 221-229. https://doi.org/10.18186/thermal.654628   [Google Scholar]
  11. Katare P, Krupan A, Dewasthale A, Datar A, and Dalkilic AS (2021). CFD analysis of cyclone separator used for fine filtration in separation industry. Case Studies in Thermal Engineering, 28: 101384. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csite.2021.101384   [Google Scholar]
  12. Khamooshi M, Salati H, Egelioglu F, Hooshyar Faghiri A, Tarabishi J, and Babadi S (2014). A review of solar photovoltaic concentrators. International Journal of Photoenergy, 2014(1): 958521. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/958521   [Google Scholar]
  13. Kribus A, Doron P, Rubin R, Karni J, Reuven R, Duchan S, and Taragan E (1999). A multistage solar receiver: The route to high temperature. Solar Energy, 67(1-3): 3-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0038-092X(00)00056-6   [Google Scholar]
  14. Kumar A (2021). Experimental investigation of a Scheffler reflector for the medium temperature applications. Journal of Thermal Engineering, 7(5): 1302-1314. https://doi.org/10.18186/thermal.978197   [Google Scholar]
  15. Kwofie EM and Ngadi M (2017). A review of rice parboiling systems, energy supply, and consumption. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 72: 465-472. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2017.01.014   [Google Scholar]
  16. Li J, Yang Z, Wang Y, Dong Q, Qi S, Huang C, Wang X, and Lin R (2023). A novel non-confocal two-stage dish concentrating photovoltaic/thermal hybrid system utilizing spectral beam splitting technology: Optical and thermal performance investigations. Renewable Energy, 206: 609-622. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2023.02.078   [Google Scholar]
  17. O'Gallagher J, Winston R, Suresh D, and Brown CT (1987). Design and test of an optimized secondary concentrator with potential cost benefits for solar energy conversion. Energy, 12(3-4): 217-226. https://doi.org/10.1016/0360-5442(87)90080-6   [Google Scholar]
  18. Omer SA and Infield DG (2000). Design and thermal analysis of a two stage solar concentrator for combined heat and thermoelectric power generation. Energy Conversion and Management, 41(7): 737-756. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0196-8904(99)00134-X   [Google Scholar]
  19. Padilla I, López-Delgado A, López-Andrés S, Álvarez M, Galindo R, and Vazquez-Vaamonde AJ (2014). The application of thermal solar energy to high temperature processes: Case study of the synthesis of alumina from boehmite. The Scientific World Journal, 2014(1): 825745. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/825745   [Google Scholar] PMid:24523648 PMCid:PMC3913068
  20. Parida B, Iniyan S, and Goic R (2011). A review of solar photovoltaic technologies. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 15(3): 1625-1636. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2010.11.032   [Google Scholar]
  21. Peng G and Sharshir SW (2023). Progress and performance of multi-stage solar still–A review. Desalination, 565: 116829. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2023.116829   [Google Scholar]
  22. Purwanto H, Nugraha RW, Ferdiansyah FR, Dewi DA, Sofian R, and Rizaldy MF (2023). Sustainable smart home IoT to open and close the house fence using a scanning method. International Journal of Advanced Computer Science and Applications, 14(10): 679-685. https://doi.org/10.14569/IJACSA.2023.0141072   [Google Scholar]
  23. Reddy KS and Sendhil Kumar N (2009). Convection and surface radiation heat losses from modified cavity receiver of solar parabolic dish collector with two-stage concentration. Heat and Mass Transfer, 45: 363-373. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00231-008-0440-2   [Google Scholar]
  24. Regue HM, Boualı B, Benchattı T, and Benchattı A (2021). Analysis and simulation of thermal performance of a PTC with secondary reflector. Journal of Thermal Engineering, 7(6): 1531-1540. https://doi.org/10.18186/thermal.991097   [Google Scholar]
  25. Sai PV and Reddy KS (2020). 4-E (energy-exergy-environment-economic) analyses of integrated solar powered jaggery production plant with different pan configurations. Solar Energy, 197: 126-143. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2019.12.026   [Google Scholar]
  26. Schmitz M, Cooper T, Ambrosetti G, and Steinfeld A (2015). Two-stage solar concentrators based on parabolic troughs: Asymmetric versus symmetric designs. Applied Optics, 54(33): 9709-9721. https://doi.org/10.1364/AO.54.009709   [Google Scholar] PMid:26836527
  27. Solankı A and Pal Y (2021). A comprehensive review to study and implement solar energy in dairy industries. Journal of Thermal Engineering, 7(5): 1216-1238. https://doi.org/10.18186/thermal.978029   [Google Scholar]
  28. Suresh D, O’Gallagher J, and Winston R (1987). A heat transfer analysis for passively cooled “trumpet” secondary concentrators. Journal of Solar Energy Engineering, 109: 289-297. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.3268220   [Google Scholar]
  29. Tekkalmaz M, Timuralp Ç, and Sert Z (2020). The effect of the use of different cover materials on heat transfer in flat solar collectors. Journal of Thermal Engineering, 6(5): 829-842. https://doi.org/10.18186/thermal.800158   [Google Scholar]
  30. Trieb F and Müller-Steinhagen H (2008). Concentrating solar power for seawater desalination in the Middle East and North Africa. Desalination, 220(1-3): 165-183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2007.01.030   [Google Scholar]
  31. Wang J, Yang S, Jiang C, Yan Q, and Lund PD (2017). A novel 2-stage dish concentrator with improved optical performance for concentrating solar power plants. Renewable Energy, 108: 92-97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2017.02.059   [Google Scholar]
  32. Winston R and Zhang W (2010). Pushing concentration of stationary solar concentrators to the limit. Optics Express, 18(S1): A64-A72. https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.18.000A64   [Google Scholar] PMid:20588575
  33. Xuyı Z, Fuqıang W, Xuhang S, Zımıng C, and Xıangtao G (2021). Analysis of heat transfer performance of the absorber tube with convergent-divergent structure for parabolic trough collector. Journal of Thermal Engineering, 7(Supp 14): 1843-1856. https://doi.org/10.18186/thermal.1051232   [Google Scholar]
  34. Zhang D, Wan Y, Zhuang W, Geng X, and Yang P (2023). Monolithic multistage solar-to-steam device for tandemly generating freshwater and electricity with superb efficiency. Chemical Engineering Journal, 466: 143047. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2023.143047   [Google Scholar]
  35. Zhang Y, Xiao G, Luo Z, Ni M, Yang T, and Xu W (2014). Comparison of different types of secondary mirrors for solar application. Optik, 125(3): 1106-1112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijleo.2013.07.113   [Google Scholar]