Distributed Parameters Dynamic Model of a Solar Fresnel Collector Field

Abstract

This paper describes a dynamic model for a linear Fresnel collector field of a solar refrigeration plant. The collector field concentrates solar radiations on a tube that heats up water that is used by an absorption machine to produce chilled air for refrigeration purposes. The model takes into account the solar radiation losses produced by the mirrors and the absorbing tube structure as well as the temperatures in 64 segments of the receiving tube and water. Although the dynamic model is of high dimension and nonlinear, the identification problem can be expressed as a linear problem in model parameters. The least square method was used for identification. The model was validated comparing the simulation results with the plant data for different operating conditions.