Performance Analysis of a Three-Tube Serpentine Receiver in a Parabolic Trough Solar Collector for Domestic Applications

Abstract: This paper investigates the optical and thermal performance of a parabolic trough solar collector integrated with a three-tube serpentine absorber. Driven by the increasing demand for efficient and compact solar thermal systems for domestic applications, this configuration aims to overcome the limitations of traditional single-tube receivers, such as limited residence time and uneven temperature distribution. Employing a combined simulation methodology, including threedimensional ray tracing in COMSOL Multiphysics for optical simulation and conjugate heat transfer simulations in ANSYS Fluent for fluid temperature analysis, the study evaluates performance under four focal alignment conditions (100%, 90%, 80%, and 70%) to replicate real-world solar tracking variations. Findings indicated that multi-tube serpentine receivers provided significantly better thermal uniformity, higher outlet temperatures, and improved tolerance to optical misalignment compared to the single-tube design, making it a viable option for compact solar preheating systems.