Study of Optical and Thermal Behavior of Linear Fresnel Solar Reflector in Desert Climate Zone

Abstract

— the use of solar energy that is available throughout our country Algeria is the main objective of this study. There are several uses of solar energy, through which the superheated steam can be obtained for the direct production of electricity. Through this study, the optical and thermal behavior of a linear Fresnel solar reflector (LFR) was studied. This linear device has been used as a tool to produce superheated steam. The energy balance equations were analyzed and then programmed on the MATLAB to obtain the results. The method of finite differences has been used to simplify and approximate equations. El-Oued's desert climate region was chosen for the study. Four different days of the year have been chosen for this study. The optical efficacy identified by this study has reached 53.60%, where the thermal efficiency is equal to 37.3%. The average values of overall coefficient of heat loss “UL, (W/m².K)” was limited between 5.71837 (W/m².K) and 5.98112 (W/m².K). With regard to superheated steam, the temperature in December reached 500.9913 (K), where this is the lowest value recorded during the study. The results obtained are very encouraging to invest in electric plants that produce superheated steam by the linear Fresnel solar reflector.