Applied Chemical Engineering

Experimental investigation of a hybrid compound parabolic collector integrated with flow through-type evacuated tube collector under hot and humid conditions in India

Mohammad Ishrar Jiva

Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Parul University, Waghodia, Vadodara, Gujarat, 391760, India.

Mohsin J. Dadi

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Parul Institute of Engineering and Technology, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Parul University, Waghodia, Vadodara, Gujarat,391760, India.

Vijayalaxmi V B

Project Engineer, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, Dharwad, Karnataka, 580004, India

Amit Manubhai Patel

Lecturer in Mechanical engineering, Government polytechnic Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

Jeetendra Dhamone

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Dr. D. Y. Patil Institute of Technology, Pimpri, Pune, Maharashtra, India, 411018

Choon Kit Chan

Faculty of Engineering and Quantity Surveying, INTI International University, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan 71800, Malaysia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59429/ace.v8i4.5734

Keywords: Solar Thermal, Summer Performance, Evacuated Tube Collector, Compound Parabolic Collector, Hybrid Solar Collector, Renewable Energy

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Abstract

This study offers an experimental analysis of a hybrid solar thermal collector that is best suited for the summer climate in Vadodara, Gujarat, India. It combines a Compound Parabolic Collector (CPC) with a flow-through type Evacuated Tube Collector (ETC). Three types of reflector materials were examined: polished aluminum, glass mirror, and acrylic mirror. The control was an independent ETC unit. Every configuration ran at a flow rate of 1.0 L/min. The temperature outside reached 43°C during the tests, and the maximum solar intensity was 1050 W/m². The aluminum CPC-ETC system demonstrated superior performance, achieving 82°C outlet temperature compared to 63°C for the ETC-only baseline - representing a 30% improvement. Daily heat gain increased by 99% from 42.3 MJ/day (ETC-only) to 84.2 MJ/day (aluminum CPC-ETC). The aluminum reflector configuration achieved an average thermal efficiency of 66% compared to 50% for the standalone ETC system, demonstrating a 32% relative improvement. The findings show that under tropical summer conditions, CPC-ETC systems have an increased thermal potential.

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