Solar concentrator optimization against wind effect

A solar concentrator is a reflective surface in the shape of a parabola that collects solar rays in a focal area. This concentrator follows the path of the sun during the day with the help of a tracking system. One of the most important issues in the design and construction of these reflectors is the force exerted by the wind. This force can sometimes disrupt the stability of the concentrator and overturn the entire system. One of the ways to estimate the force is to use the numerical solution of the air flow in three dimensions around the dish. Ansys Fluent simulation software has been used for modeling several angles of attack between 0 and 180 with respect to the horizon. From the comparison of the velocity vector lines on the dish at angles of 90 to - 90 degrees, it was found that the flow lines are more concentrated inside the dish and there is a tendency for the flow to escape around in the radial direction, which indicates the presence of more pressure distribution inside the dish. It was observed that the pressure on the concave surface was higher than the convex one. Then, the effect of adding a hole with various diameter of 200, 300, 400, 500, and 600 mm on the dish was investigated. By increasing the diameter up to the optimized size of 400 mm, a decrease in the maximum pressure value in the pressure distribution was shown inside the dish. This pressure drop decreased the drag coefficient. The effect of the hole on the dish was also investigated for the 30-degree angled dish, and it was found that the results of the 90-degree case should be considered as the basis of the design.