Design and numerical performance analysis of a parabolic trough solar concentrator for solar dryer application

The search for innovative solutions to improve the performance of indirect solar dryers (ISD) remains a challenge. The aim of this study is to propose a numerical approach to a Parabolic Trough Solar Concentrator (PTSC) that can be coupled to a solar dryer. A proposed thermal model has been analyzed from an energy, exergy and environmental point of view, based on a few design parameters (impacts of PTSC imputs on its output performance). The numerical model is simulated in Matlab. Sensitivity analysis shows that a configuration with length L = 2.2 m, $$\:\dot{m}$$ =0.07 kg/s, Tin between 32 and 36 °C gives output temperatures of around 70 °C maximum and 62 °C monthly average. The proposed PTSC emits an average of 302.02 gCO2/month. For daily operation, average daily emissions are estimated at 9.93 gCO2/day. Compared with other technologies used in indirect drying, the amount of CO2 emissions from biomass is 19605.78gCO2/year, compared with 7618.25gCO2/year from solar thermal and 3624.27gCO2/year from the PTSC studied. This system shows promise in significantly improving the performance of environmentally-friendly indirect solar dryers. An experimental realization would be necessary and seen as an asset in the dynamics of innovative solutions of indirect solar dryers (ISD).