This book provides a technical overview of low-cost
parabolic trough collector (PTCs) prototypes for low-temperature heat demand.
It begins with a comprehensive but concise summary of the state-of-the-art in
PTCs, and presents a detailed mathematical model of such systems. Subsequent
chapters describe the construction and materials used in the manufacture of PTC
prototypes, and offers technical solutions to overcome design problems.
Finally, it provides an accessible guide to the standards used to test and
evaluate the performance of PTCs. Offering a valuable resource to engineering
researchers and practitioners, it is also suitable for students of solar
thermal systems, renewable energy and applied physics.

Introduction.- Mathematical Modeling.- Standards and Testing.-
Concentrator.- Receiver.

 

Gianluca Coccia is a Ph.D.
student of Industrial Engineering at the Department of Industrial Engineering
and Mathematical Sciences of Marche Polytechnic University, Italy. During his
Bachelor and Master theses, he studied parabolic trough solar collectors
working with two experimental prototypes and developing a mathematical model
able to determine the optical and the thermal efficiency of such systems. His
doctoral activity includes properties of fluids (thermal conductivity, dynamic
viscosity, surface tension, virial coefficients), nanofluids and solar energy
systems (parabolic trough collectors and solar cookers). He also studies
mathematical models and artificial neural networks applied to the
aforementioned topics. He is author of papers published in international journals
in the field of solar energy and thermophysical properties of fluids.

Giovanni Di Nicola is associate
professor in Environmental Applied Physics at the Faculty of Engineering of the
Marche Polytechnic University, Italy. During the last 20 years, he conducted
research, both experimental and theoretical, on thermophysical properties with
particular attention to environmental friendly refrigerants. He also developed
theoretical models for the prediction of surface tension, thermal conductivity,
dynamic viscosity and virial coefficients of organic fluids. During the last
five years, he turned his attention to the sector of solar thermal energy, in
particular studying parabolic trough collectors (PTCs) and solar cookers. He is
a member of the editorial board of the International Journal of Thermophysics,
of the Italian Thermophysical Properties Association (AIPT) and of the
Commission B1 (thermodynamic and transport properties) of the International
Institute of Refrigeration (IIR). He is author of over 70 articles in
international journals with expert reviewers.

Alejandro Hidalgo studied
Industrial Technologies in the University Carlos III of Madrid. He started to
work in the field of solar energy thanks to an Erasmus programme in the Marche
Polytechnic University, Italy, under the supervision of Prof. Giovanni Di
Nicola. During his experience, he worked in experimental projects involving
parabolic trough solar collectors and solar cookers.