Field tests of an infrared reflective cavity receiver for a parabolic trough collector
Ferrer P. Mohamad K.
January 2026Elsevier Ltd
Solar Energy
2026#303
This study reports the design and field testing of a novel parabolic trough collector receiver incorporating an infrared (IR) mirror enclosure with an evacuated cavity and a single-sided solar admission window. The configuration enhances thermal efficiency by reflecting IR radiation back to the absorber pipe, eliminating the need for selective coatings. A 4.4-m prototype, coupled with a 5 m × 2.4 m parabolic mirror and circulating mineral oil at 0.2 kg/s, was tested under real solar conditions. The receiver achieved a thermal efficiency of 69 %, limited primarily by vacuum instability (>0.05 kPa), with projections indicating up to 95 % efficiency if insulation is applied. The design also reduced thermal stress and maintenance demands, and its performance was validated by steady-state heat transfer modeling, demonstrating potential for scalable concentrated solar power deployment.
Concentrated solar power , Infrared mirror , Parabolic trough collector , Receiver design , Thermal efficiency
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School of Physics, Wits University, 1 J Smuts Ave, Braamfontein, JHB, South Africa
Visiting: School of Physics, Wits University, 1 J Smuts Ave, Braamfontein, JHB, South Africa
Mandelstam Institute for Theoretical Physics, Wits University, South Africa
School of Information Technology and Engineering, Kazakh-British Technical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
School of Physics
Visiting: School of Physics
Mandelstam Institute for Theoretical Physics
School of Information Technology and Engineering
10 лет помогаем публиковать статьи Международный издатель
Книга Публикация научной статьи Волощук 2026 Book Publication of a scientific article 2026