For nearly , the cross section of the heat collection tubes used at the focus of parabolic trough solar concentrators has been circular. This type of tube is obviously simple and easily fabricated, but it is not optimal. It is shown in this article that the optimal shape, assuming a perfect parabolic figure for the concentrating mirror, is instead oblong and is approximately given by a pair of facing parabolic segments.
Issue Section:
Research Papers
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.Copyright © 2008
by American Society of Mechanical Engineers
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