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The Influence of Concentrator Size, Reflective Material and Solar Irradiance on

the Parabolic Dish Heat Transfer

Article in Indian Journal of Science and Technology · September 2014

DOI: 10.17485/ijst/2014/v7i9.31

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Indian Journal of Science and Technology, ISSN (Print) : 0974-6846
ISSN (Online) : 0974-5645

The influence of concentrator size, reflective material and solar

irradiance to the Parabolic Dish heat transfer
Rosnani Affandi 1,2, Chin Kim Gan2 and Mohd Ruddin Ab Ghani
1
Department of Electrical Engineering,
Polytechnic Merlimau,73000Merlimau, Melaka, Malaysia.
2
Faculty of Electrical Engineering,
Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Hang Tuah Jaya, 76100 Durian Tunggal, Melaka, Malaysia.

Abstract — Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) can meet the clean energy needs for power generation at a cost competitive rate. Among
the CSP technologies, Parabolic Dish (PD) has demonstrated the highest energy conversion efficiency. PD system produces electricity by
using solar energy that is transfer from the concentrator to the receiver, to drive a Stirling engine and the generator. The concentrator in a
PD system is used for focusing the solar radiation into the aperture of the receiver that is integrated in the Stirling engine. Stirling engine
then converts the absorbed solar energy from the receiver into mechanical power by expanding the working gas in the cylinder. Then, the
Stirling engine will convert a linear motion into a rotary motion to turn the generator and produce electricity. This study is carried out to
understand the effect of the size, reflecting material and the solar radiation or Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) to the rate of heat transfer
from the concentrator to the receiver in the PD systems. For this purpose, a Matlab Simulink was used, in which the different rate of DNI
in George Town, Penang Malaysia are considered. The study shows that the rate of heat transfer for the PD systems are strongly
depending on the size, reflecting material and the DNI of the area. These results are useful to help a better understanding of the
relationship between size and reflecting material to the rate of heat transfer for a PD system under different DNI level.

Keywords — Concentrating Solar Power (CSP), Parabolic Dish (PD), Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI), Rate of heat transfer.

Muhammad (2010), the world is estimated to receive

1. INTRODUCTION
Concentrator in PD system is used for focusing the Direct
Normal Irradiance (DNI) onto the receiver. Generally, in
analyzing the operation of the PD concentrator, three
parameters need to be considered. The parameters are; dish
aperture size, reflectivity material and the irradiance [1], [2].
Currently, the diameter range for PD concentrator that has
been used in commercial plant is between 8-15 meters [1].
However, the size of PD concentrator is depends on how
much input power of the Power Conversion Unit (PCU) for
the PD systems can handle. Furthermore, as mentioned by
Mendoza (2012) in his research; in order to transfer the heat to
the receiver as well as to reach high operating temperature at
the focal point, it’s essential to optimize the geometric design
for the concentrator.
Generally, PD concentrator consists of a mirror that
typically was arranged in parabolic shape. Meanwhile, the
quality of a mirror concentrator is measured by its reflectance.
Reflectance is a percentage of incident sunlight that can be
reflected from the concentrator surface. Different materials
can be used as the reflective surface. However aluminum or
silver are the most common materials that have been used
since centuries as efficient mirrors concentrator in a PD
system [3]–[5].
Meanwhile, all of the CSP rechnologies such as the PD
systems is depends on the intensity of solar radiation [6].
Therefore, it can be said that the potential of a PD systems is
largely determined by the solar radiation. According to
approximately 1000W/m2 amount of solar irradiation in a day.
Whereas, PD systems requires of at least 1900-2000
kWh/m2/year of Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) to be
economic [7].
In other hands, in terms of the technically feasible; it is
essential to assure that the PD concentrator can transfer the
heat to the receiver as well as can generate operating
temperatures at the focal point at least 250°C to as high as
1500°C [8]–[11]. Furthermore, previous researches has
revealed that the concentrator with a better reflectance has a
significant role in helping the PD system transfer the heat to
the receiver, achieve high temperature as well as higher
efficiencies [12], [13]. Therefore, the purpose of this study is
to give a better understanding of the relationship between size
and reflecting material to the rate of heat transfer for a PD
system under different DNI level.
2. METHODOLOGY
This study is evaluated by using a simulation approach and
Matlab Simulink is used as the simulation tool. The scope for
this study are the conversion of solar energy to the heat energy
transfer from the concentrator to the receiver in a PD system.
The study of this simulation will help to the better
understanding, especially on the system interactions among
concentrator and receiver subsystems in the PD systems.
 material used for the concentrator, silver is the preferred
reflector material with aluminium second [1], [15], [18]–[20].

TABLE I. REFLECTANCE OF THE CONCENTRATOR

Material Reflectivity (%)
Stainless steel 67
Iron sheet 87
Aluminium 92
Silver 96

3) Solar irradiance or Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI)

Fig. 1. Schematic diagram of a PD system. [14]
A. The parameters involved in the heat transfer from the
concentrator to the receiver
In a PD system, the solar radiation that is focused to the
concentrator will produce heat from the concentration process.
The heat then will be used for the energy conversion process.
The rate of heat transfer from the concentrator to the receiver
can be approximated by using an equation:
 2
DQI   D2con  (1)
The input DNI data for George Town, Penang, Malaysia is
used as the input data for the simulation. The DNI data were
downloaded from U.S Department of Energy website. Fig. 2
shows the annual DNI data for George Town, Malaysia. From
the data, the highest DNI is at 14 March with value of 943
Wh/m2, Medium DNI is at 9 May with value of 466 Wh/m 2,
while lowest DNI is at 4 August with value of 88 Wh/m2.
Overall, the total highest irradiation is on February,
followed by March, January, Jun, May, April, December,
November, July and September. Meanwhile, the value for
DNI in August and October throughout the month is below
200 W/m2. While there is a a few days in January, August and
December, the DNI value is drop below 200 W/m2.

By referring to equation (1), Dcon is the size of the

concentrator, ρ is reflective of the concentrator and the I is the
solar irradiance or DNI. Therefore, size, reflective material
and the irradiance are the parameters that is important in
determining the value of heat transfer from the concentrator to
the receiver.

1) Size of the concentrator

The different size of concentrator will effect on the rate of
heat transfer to the receiver. 1kW PD system was used for this
study and it is suggested to used sizes of 2.5 and 3.7 meters
for the concentrator. The different sizes are used to analyze
the effect of the concentrator size to the rate of heat transfer
Fig. 2. Annual DNI data for George Town, Penang, Malaysia Ease of Use
from concentrator to the receiver of 1kW PD system.
The lowest DNI value is shown as TABLE II, medium
2) Reflective material value as TABLE III, meanwhile TABLE IV is for highest DNI
The different type or material that has been used for the PD value. TABLE I –III is shown the DNI value in 24 hours data
concentrator has a different reflectivity [2], [15], [16] (see for George Town, Penang, Malaysia. However, for the
TABLE I). Generally, the concentrator are protected by either simulation purpose, the rate of heat will be taken and analyze
protective sheet of glass or plastic [17] and consequently, when by using 4 input DNI data which at the highest DNI is 943
the solar radiation passes through the concentrator, part of the Wh/m2. Two data during Medium DNI which are 466 Wh/m2
solar radiation will be absorbed. The absorption of the solar and 200 Wh/m2, while lowest DNI is 88 Wh/m2.
radiation by protective sheet can significantly reduce the solar
energy that transfer to the receiver.
Therefore, a clean and smooth reflecting surface is required
for a PD concentrator. This is because, the dust particles could
scatter away the solar radiation from the receiver. Apart from
that, the solar radiation could be partly absorbed by a thin dust
particles on the concentrator surface.
In the present PD designs, mirror reflectivity that has been
used is in range of 91 – 95% [15]. However, among the
 TABLE II. DNI VALUE IN 24 HOURS DATA FOR GEORGE TOWN, (W/m2)
PENANG, MALAYSIA
TIME Lowest DNI Medium DNI Highest DNI
(hour) (W/m2) (W/m2) (W/m2)
1 0 0 0
2 0 0 0
3 0 0 0
4 0 0 0
5 0 0 0
6 0 0 0
7 0 0 0
8 0 0 0
(Hour)
9 38 140 273
Fig. 4. Graph for Time (Hour) versus irradiance (DNI) for medium DNI data
10 95 303 699 in George Town, Penang, Malaysia

11 87 466 886 (W/m2)

12 83 375 940
13 88 286 886
14 46 188 889
15 87 190 887
16 82 107 943
17 85 80 880
18 79 91 763
19 6 21 468

20 0 0 0
21 0 0 0
22 0 0 0 (Hour)
Fig. 5. Graph for Time (Hour) versus irradiance (DNI) for highest DNI data
23 0 0 0
in George Town, Penang, Malaysia
24 0 0 0

3. OPERATIONAL FRAMEWORK
(W/m2)
Simulation for the rate of heat transfer from the
concentrator to the receiver in a PD system requires a few
external inputs such as; concentrator size, reflective material,
and the solar irradiance or DNI. Refer to Fig. 6.

(Hour)
Fig. 3. Graph for Time (Hour) versus irradiance (DNI) for the lowest DNI
data in George Town, Penang, Malaysia Fig. 6. Scope of simulations for the heat transfer from concentrator to the
receiver in PD system
 4. SIMULATION RESULT
TABLE III – V, shows the simulation result for the rate of
heat transfer in a PD system by using 2 different sizes of
concentrator, 4 different reflective materials and with 4
different DNI data in George Town, Penang, Malaysia. From
the table, the rate of heat transfer from the concentrator to the
receiver for 2.5 meter concentrator during low DNI (88
Wh/m2) is 320 to 450 watts; during DNI 200W/m2 is 620 to
850 watts; during medium DNI (466 Wh/m2) is 1500 to 2300
watts and during highest DNI (943 Wh/m2) is 3100 to 4900
watts.
Meanwhile, the rate of heat transfer from the concentrator
to the receiver for 3.7 meter concentrator during low DNI (88
Wh/m2) is 690 to 990 watts; during DNI 200W/m2 is 1400 to
1900 watts; during medium DNI (466 Wh/m2) is 3400 to 4800
watts and during highest DNI (943 Wh/m2) is 6800 to 9800
watts.
TABLE III. RESULT FOR THE RATE OF HEAT TRANSFER IN PD SYSTEMS FOR
LOWEST DNI LEVEL BY USING 2.5 AND 3.7 METER CONCENTRATOR AND
DIFFERENT TYPE OF REFLECTIVE MATERIAL.
concentrator, for stainless steel reflector under low DNI level
is 690 watts.
The highest value for the rate of heat transfer from the
concentrator to the receiver in the simulation is 9800 watts.
The value is for 3.7 meter concentrator, using silver as the
reflective material and by using high DNI data which is 943
Wh/m2. However, the highest value for the rate of heat
transfer is 850 watts, for DNI 200 Wh/m2, using 2.5 meter
concentrator and silver as the reflective material. Meanwhile,
the highest value for the rate of heat transfer for DNI 200
Wh/m2, using 3.7 meter concentrator and silver as the
reflective material is 1900 watts.
From the result, with 3.7 meter concentrator, DNI 200
Wh/m2 is the lowest DNI input data that can produce more
than 1 kW rate of heat transfer from the concentrator to the
receiver. In which the value of the heat transfer from the
concentrator to the receiver is 1400 watts for DNI 200 Wh/m2
with 3.7 meter concentrator.

DQI (watt)
Reflectivity
Dcon = 2.5 meter Dcon = 3.7 meter
0.67 320 690
0.87 400 890
0.92 440 940
0.96 450 990

TABLE IV.2
RESULT FOR THE RATE OF HEAT TRANSFER IN PD SYSTEMS
FOR 200W/M DNI LEVEL BY USING 2.5 AND 3.7 METER CONCENTRATOR AND
DIFFERENT TYPE OF REFLECTIVE MATERIAL.

DQI (watt)
Reflectivity
Dcon = 2.5 meter Dcon = 3.7 meter
0.67 620 1400
0.87 800 1700
0.92 820 1800
0.96 850 1900 Fig. 7. Rate of heat transfer for Dcon 2.5 and 3.7 meters based on the lowest,
medium and highest DNI value with different type of mirror reflectivity.
TABLE V. RESULT FOR THE RATE OF HEAT TRANSFER IN PD SYSTEMS FOR
MEDIUM DNI LEVEL BY USING 2.5 AND 3.7 METER CONCENTRATOR AND Meanwhile, the simulation result shows that the lowest
DIFFERENT TYPE OF REFLECTIVE MATERIAL. value for the rate of heat transfer from the concentrator to the
DQI (watt) receiver which is below than 1 kW is during low DNI (88
Reflectivity Wh/m2), for both sizes of concentrator and for all types of
Dcon = 2.5 meter Dcon = 3.7 meter
0.67 1500 3400 reflective material such as stainless steel, iron, aluminium and
0.87 2000 4400 silver (See Fig.7).
0.92 2100 4600
0.96 2300 4800 5. CONCLUSION

TABLE VI. RESULT FOR THE RATE OF HEAT TRANSFER IN PD SYSTEMS

From the simulation result, it can be concluded that, the
FOR HIGHEST DNI LEVEL BY USING 2.5 AND 3.7 METER CONCENTRATOR AND increasing size of the concentrator, the better reflectance
DIFFERENT TYPE OF REFLECTIVE MATERIAL. material used in concentrator and the higher the DNI input to
DQI (watt) the PD system, it will significantly increase the rate of heat
Reflectivity
Dcon = 2.5 meter Dcon = 3.7 meter transfer from the concentrator to the receiver.
0.67 3100 6800
0.87 4000 8800 ACKNOWLEDGMENT
0.92 4300 9200
0.96 4900 9800
The authors would like to gratefully acknowledge the
funding support provided by the Ministry of Education
From the simulation result, the lowest value for the rate of Malaysia under the research grant No:
heat transfer is 320 watts. The result is for 2.5 meter FRGS/2/2013/TK02/FKE/01/F00167.
concentrator, using stainless steel as the reflective material
and during lower DNI data at George Town, Penang.
Meanwhile, the rate of heat transfer for 3.7 meter

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