Recent advances in parabolic dish solar concentrators: Receiver design, heat loss reduction, and nanofluid optimization for enhanced efficiency and applications

Abstract

Renewable energy has become essential to address fuel scarcity and greenhouse gas emissions like carbon dioxide. Experts are very interested in developing solar energy and finding solutions to the issues that arise when using it because it is one of the most significant forms of renewable energy. However, solar concentrators are employed to focus and transform solar radiation into a form more suitable for use in engineering application. Solar concentrators include parabolic troughs, towers, linear Fresnel collectors, and dishes. This review study examines Parabolic dish solar concentrator (PDSC) research because of its high radiation intensity, temperature, ease of installation, and maintenance. This research article examines PDSC performance and the factors affecting it. PDSC efficiency depends on receiver shape. Thus, various studies have compared conical, cylindrical, hemispherical, and spiral geometries to find the ideal shape for performance. Previous research shows that the conical shape performs well. Many studies have examined heat loss and tried to boost system efficiency by minimizing losses with insulators. The review study discusses solar radiation tracking programs, concentrated ray distribution in the receiver area, and PDSC optical efficiency. A 45 ◦ rim angle maximizes optical efficiency, the study found. Researchers have employed various working fluids for heat transfer. Research has compared nanofluids to estimate efficiency gains. This review study concludes with PDSC applications in desalination, power generation, solar cooking, and others.