Design, fabrication and optimization of Parabolic

Dish collector for variable rim angle

SUBMITTED BY
GAURAV CHOUDHARI ME18005

NIKHIL BHURE
MED18132

PARAKH CHAKOLE MED18129

SURAJ KANEKAR ME18012

SUMIT YADAV ME17115

Shri. M. K. Jaiswal Dr. D. C. Katpatal

Project Guide Project Coordinator
 CONTENTS

 Introduction
 Literature Review
 Objectives
 Different Parts and Sketch of Models
 Methodology
 Design & Parameters Of Various Parts
 Observation and analysis
 Tentative schedule of Project Work Completion
 Cost of project
 Conclusion
 INTRODUCTION

 Energy is required to sustain and improve the quality of life.

 Solar energy is the most important form of energy for this planet.
 There are many ways that solar energy can be used .
 Applications of solar energy use can be grouped into there are three
primary categories: heating/cooling, electricity production, and
chemical processes.
 The most widely used applications are for water and space heating.
About Sun Tracking:
 The device is use for tracking the path of
sun for orientation of the solar energy
conversion.
 The periodic adjustment of the receiver is
determined by the astronomical
information related to the Sun position on
the sky dome.
Figure .Layout of dual axis tracking
 Earth-Sun Geometry And Angles

 Celestial Sphere :The imaginary large sphere, sky is called a celestial sphere.

 Zenith : The point on the celestial sphere, directly over the observer’s head, is Zenith. It
may change with respect to the location.

 Earth Equator : It is an imaginary great circle normal to the earth’s axis, dividing the
distance between the earth pole, along its surface into two equal parts is called the earth’s
equator.

 Longitude : Angular distance of location measured east or west from the prime meridian.
Following are the basic earth’s angle as follows:
 Latitude (ø) : It is the angular distance measured north or
south of the equator from the center of the earth. It is
measured positive for the northern hemisphere and negative
for southern hemisphere.

Figure : Latitude angle (ø)

 Declination (δ) : It is the angle between the sun’s rays north

of the equator. The declination varies from day to day. δ (in
degrees) = 23.45 sin (360/365 (284+ n)), Where, n = days of
the year

Figure : Declination (δ)

 Altitude Angle (α) : It is the vertical angle between the
projection of the sun rays on a horizontal plane and direction of
the sun’s ray

Figure :Altitude Angle

 Incident angle (θ) : Angle between beam of rays and normal to

the plane.
Cosθ = sinφ (sinδ cosδ + cosδ cosγ cosω sins) + Cosφ (cosδ cosω
cosδ - sinδ cosγ sins) + Cosδ sinγ sinω sinδ
Figure : Incident Angle
 Literature Review
Sr. No Name Of Paper/Journal
1 Mr. S. D. Kulal And Prof.S.R. Patil
Performance Analysis of Parabolic Solar
Dish Collector for Various Reflecting
Materials
International Research Journal of
Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-
ISSN: 2395 -005(2016)
2 Asif Ahmed Rahimoon,
Mohd Noor Abdullah
Design of parabolic solar dish tracking
system using arduino
Indonesian Journal of Electrical
Engineering and Computer Science
Vol. 17,ISSN: 2502-4752(2020)
Work Carried Out
In this paper work the performance
analysis of parabolic solar dish collector is
done with the use of different reflecting
materialsTo begin with stainless steel sheet
is used as reflector and performance is
compared with using aluminium
sheet and silver foil as reflector.
This paper discusses the important stages
of dual axis prototype; implementation,
solar location strategy, the analysis in
terms of theory, structural design &
material.
Remarks
The overall thermal efficiency when
silver foil is used as reflector is
26.89% which is highest amongst all
the three cases.
The results show that the average
output power of solar PV panel was
about 5.78 W while, for the
proposed parabolic dish PV system
was 9.2515 W. Hence, the output
power of the designed parabolic dish
PV system is 3.43% more improved
than the compared solar PV panel.
Sr. Name Of Paper/Journal
No
3 Dr.Nitin Shrivastava*,Praween Kumar
Patel, Shiyasharan Patel
Design And Fabrication Of Solar Tracker
System Using Hydraulic Actuator For
Parabolic Solar Collector
International Journal Of Engineering Sciences
& Research
Technology (2015)
4 S. S. Bhende, Prof. (Dr.) J. S. Bagi,
L. S. Nikam, M. M. Wagh
Performance Evaluation of Parabolic Dish
Collector with Different
Reflecting Polymeric Materials(2019)
Work Carried Out
it is to make a solar tracker to track the
path of the sun with use of hydraulic
actuator arrangement. This paper gives
the information about to how to track
the path of the sun so that we can trap
the maximum energy of the sun.
The experimental
investigations were carried out to
determine the performance
of concentrating parabolic dish
collector with different
polymeric reflecting films as a reflector.
There are three
polymeric films use such as an
aluminum polymer, silver
polymer, and gold chrome polymer
film.
Remarks
The efficiency will increase in
some amount, which is
desired. The system is less costly,
seeking less
maintenance cost and requires less
installation cost.
The results show that the overall
thermal efficiency, useful heat, and
cooking power is highest while
using aluminum film as a reflector,
and having a very good response
to solar
intensity as a reflecting material.
Sr. Name Of Paper/Journal
No
5 Vanita Thakkar, Ankush Doshi, Akshay
kumar Rana
Performance Analysis Methodology for
Parabolic Dish Solar Concentrators for Process
Heating Using Thermic Fluid
IOSR Journal of Mechanical and Civil
Engineering (IOSR-JMCE) (2015)
6 B.A. Sup, Zainudin MF, Ali TZS, Bakar RA
Effect of Rim Angle to the Flux Distribution
Diameter in Solar Parabolic Dish Collector
2nd International Conference on Sustainable
Energy Engineering and Application, ICSEEA-
2015
Work Carried Out
The present paper presents a
Performance Analysis
Methodology developed for a
PDSC system used for heating
thermic fluid for process heating
application.
Solar energy application through
parabolic dish collector is
promising finite green energy
such as electric generation. A
study of solar parabolic dish
collector had been carried out
on the geometry and flux
distribution at focal region.
Remarks
The present work presents a performance
assessment model for PDSC for process
heating application, using thermic fluid.
Considering the effect of various system
parameters, the expected and actual
efficiencies are worked out.
The rim angle gives true value of
concentrated radiation because
considering optical losses from the
reflecting of the solar radiation. Future
study can be conducted to relate the
flux intensity and the efficiency of the
solar radiation collection.
 SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW

 From literature review we conclude that there are so many innovative ways to
produce solar energy by using parabolic dish collector. In future it will vital role in
producing energy.

 The rim angle can affect the efficiency of parabolic dish collector. If the rim angle is
adjusted properly then parabolic dish collector give maximum efficiency.
 The Reflecting material is very important parameter in parabolic dish collector
 OBJECTIVES

 To study the performance and geometrical aspects of the parabolic solar

collector.
 The future scope of project seeks to benefit researchers employing
experimental methods for the testing of the parabolic solar collector.
 Main objective of this project is to optimization of Parabolic Dish collector for
variable rim angle.
 METHODOLOGY

As we all are aware that the conventional energy sources are depleting day by day
and that it is very essential to find alternative energy sources to substitute them.
This project is an effort to concentrate the heat radiated by the sun with the help of
a parabolic solar concentrator dish in order to increase energy harnessing capacity
The setup consists of three basic elements as:-

1)Concentrating Collectors
2)Azimuthal Tracking mechanism
3)Altitude Tracking mechanisms
 Concentrating collector

1) Concentrating collectors are used for converting solar energy into heat energy, and the radiation
emitted by the Sun is optically concentrated using mirrors or lens before converting into heat.
2) fluids can be heated to temperatures of 500 °c.
Types Of Concentrating collector
 Mirror strip reflector
 Fresnel Lens collector
 Compound parabolic reflector (C.P.C)
 Parabolic trough collector
 Paraboloidal collector
Azimuthal Tracking Mechanism:
1) A DC supply is used to reduce the rotational speed
of the viper worm geared motor to the required rate of rotation.
2) In azimuthal tracking mechanism the dish rotates from morning
to evening from east to west.
.

Altitude Tracking Mechanism :

In the altitude tracking mechanism, the dish moves from sunrise to noon i.e. in upward direction and from noon to sunset the dish moves in downward
direction.
 Base stand:
Parabolic dish along with tracking mechanism is required to be mounted on the Vertical
Support. This is because of its strength, rigidity, resistance to deflection by commonly
encountered winds, and its ability to withstand transverse and cross-sectional loads of the
entire heating portion.
 LDR (light-dependent resistor):
When sunlight falls on the LDR sensors, it decreases the resistivity of the sensor and
completes the driving circuit
 Design & Parameters Of Various Parts

 Factors Affecting Design of Parabolic Dish: 

 Material of the reflect concentrators

 the shape of the reflector concentrators and the receiver 

 Solar radiation at the concentrator 

 Diameter of the parabolic dish concentrator

 The focal length of the parabolic dish 

Rim Angle
 The rim angle Ør is the angle between the axis and a line from the focus to the
physical edge of the concentrator. 
Ørim = tan-1

Figure: Design parameter of dish

 Where,
f = focal length
D = diameter of dish
h = depth of dish

500 mm 750 mm 1000 mm

Depth Radius (x)mm Diameter (Dc)mm Focal point mm Rim angle (Ø) in degree
(a)mm

100 250 500 156.25 94.84

300 375 750 117.18   88.79

200 500 1000 312.5   71.67

 Formulae and calculations:

1) focal point f =
where,
x is radius in mm
a is depth in mm

2) Rim angle = Ørim = tan-1

where,
Dc is diameter of collector
 Sample Calculation

 1) Rim angle and focal point

A)Focal point f =
where
x=radius=250mm
a=depth=100mm

f=
 B) Rim Angle
Where
f=focal point=91.91mm
Dc=Diameter=500mm

(=
 Specifications for rotating stand
Roller bearing:
Specification : 6304
Diameter : 50 mm
Bore size : 20 mm

Mild steel pipe:

Mild steel rod
Length : 60 cm
Diameter : 2 cm
Hollow mild steel pipe:
    Length : 92 mm
Diameter : 20 mm
 DC Motor Specification:
Worm geared wiper motor
Supply, voltage : 12 V
Ampere :4
Speed : 30 rpm
Fig. Worm geared wiper motor
 Linear actuator Specification:
DC supply : 6V
stroke length   : 150 mm
initial length : 350 mm
max. load : 500 N

Fig. Linear actuator

0bservation and analysis

 Notations used:

 1)Temperatures

 TRoom: Temperature of surrounding environment

 TAmb : Temperature of ambient air within the parabolic dish

 TFocus : Temperature of focusing plate

 2) Stroke Length
 3) Angle
Testing of 1000mm parabolic dish
Time lift Angles
TRoom ( Tamb( Tfocus( Stroke (
length(mm)
8.00 30 33 99 5 30
8:30 31 34 105 25 37
9:00 32 36 111 35 44
9:30 32.5 38 117 55 51
10:00 33 38.5 125 75 59
10:30 33.7 39 132 94 65
11:00 34 40 142 130 72
11:30 35.8 42.5 149 142 80
12:00 36.5 43.2 155 150 85
12:30 37 44 159 142 79
Time Lift Angle
TRoom Tamb Tfocus Stroke length
1:00 37 44 155 130 72
1:30 36.4 43.5 145 94 65
2:00 36 43 140 75 59
2:30 35 42.5 135 55 50
3:00 34.5 42 130 35 44
3:30 33 41 125 25 37
4:00 32.5 39 120 5 31
Graph: Temperature VS Time

Chart Title
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
8:00 8:30 9:00 9:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:30 1:00 1:30 2:00 2:30 3:00 3:30 4:00

Troom Tamb Tfocud

Graph: Lift VS Time

stroke length
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
8:00 8:30 9:00 9:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:30 1:00 1:30 2:00 2:30 3:00 3:30 4:00

stroke length
Graph: Angle Vs Time

angle
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
8:00 8:30 9:00 9:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:30 1:00 1:30 2:00 2:30 3:00 3:30 4:00

angle
 Tentative schedule of Project Work
Completion

Sr.No. Project Work Month

1 Selection of Project August
2 Data Collection August
3 Research Paper October
4 Literature Review November
5 Calculation January
6 Collection of Component March
7 Assembly of Component March
 Cost of the project

Sr. No. Name Of Component Quantity Cost

1 Parabolic Dish Collector 01 1500
2 DC Gear Wiper Motor 01 1500
3 Linear Actuator 01 2000
4 Battery 01 1000
5 Fabrication work charge - 2500
Total 8500
 CONCLUSION

 In this study the parabolic dish collector is optimized for various rim angles, focus point of
different length and geometry of parabola.
 Design parameters are formulated for the geometry of the parabolic collector to obtain maximum
output.
 Imaging diameter enables a very large aperture area with small absorber area effectively reducing
thermal losses at high temperature.
 Imaging and no-imaging diameter are changing according to different rim angles. Therefore the
geometric manipulations for each case and flux distribution is varied, accordingly concentration
temperature varies
 REFERENCES
Journals
 Vanita Thakkar, Ankush Doshi, Akshay kumar Rana, Performance Analysis Methodology for Parabolic Dish Solar
Concentrators for Process Heating Using Thermic Fluid, IOSR Journal of Mechanical and Civil Engineering (IOSR-JMCE) (2015)
 B.A. Sup, Zainudin MF, Ali TZS, Bakar RA, Effect of Rim Angle to the Flux Distribution Diameter in Solar Parabolic
Dish Collector, 2nd International Conference on Sustainable Energy Engineering and Application, ICSEEA (2015)
 Mr S. D. Kulal And Prof.S.R. Patil, Performance Analysis of Parabolic Solar Dish Collector for Various Reflecting
Materials, International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395 -005-(2016)
 Asif Ahmed Rahimoon, Mohd Noor Abdullah, Design of parabolic solar dish tracking system using Arduino,
Indonesian Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Vol. 17,ISSN: 2502-4752 (2020)
 Lifang Li and Steven Dubowsky, “New Design Approach for Solar Concentrating Parabolic Dish”, Thermon Corp 34,
2010.
 Ibrahim Laden Mohammed, “Development and design of a parabolic dish solar water heater”, Engineering and
Design 238, pp. 3160-3173. 2012.
 Dr.Nitin Shrivastava*,Praween Kumar Patel, Shiyasharan Patel, Design And Fabrication Of Solar Tracker System Using
Hydraulic Actuator For Parabolic Solar Collector, International Journal Of Engineering Sciences & Research Technology (2015)
 S. S. Bhende, Prof. (Dr.) J. S. Bagi,L. S. Nikam, M. M. Wagh, Performance Evaluation of Parabolic Dish Collector with
Different Reflecting Polymeric Materials(2019)
 Soteris A. Kalogirou, “Solar thermal collectors and applications”, Progress Energy and Combustion Science, vol. 30, pp. 231–
295, 2004.
 Joshua Folaranmi, “Design, Construction and testing of a parabolic dish collector system”, Journal of Power & Engineering
210 SAND2002-0120, 2009.

Books 
 RaiG.D.,1995,‖Non-ConventionalEnergySources‖,Delhi,KhannaPublisher, second edition,1995,PP.102-132
 2. Sukhatme S. P., ‖Solar Energy‖, McGraw-Hill Third edition,2008, PP.77-90 Khurmi R. S. & Gupta J.K., “Machine Design”,
Second Edition 2005, S. Chand Publishers Delhi. Chapter 14: Shaft, Page no. 509 to 557.