A small parabolic trough collector as a solar water heater: an experimental study in Ouargla region, Algeria

Abstract

This study aims to conduct an experimental thermal examination of a parabolic trough collector in Ouargla region at Algeria, which will be used as a solar water heater. The solar collector was manufactured and then experimentally tested, as its theoretical optical performance was estimated at 75.06%, while the values of its true thermal performance are 10.61, 10.68 and 8.85 % for 13 May, 14 May and 15 May. Although its thermal performance is somewhat low, the studied PTC is effective in heating the water, whereas, using a volumetric flow of 0.011 l/s, about 317 liters of water can be heated daily at 42°C, knowing that the daily average consumption of hot water in a typical house is 250 liters because the Ouargla region is strategically located that receives huge amounts of solar irradiance