Parabolic Solar Collector CFD Simulation

This module introduces mechanical engineering students to Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis of a parabolic solar collector using ANSYS Fluent, emphasizing renewable energy applications.

Key aspects covered:

Introduction to parabolic solar collector principles and their role in solar thermal systems
Importing a pre-made mesh of a parabolic solar collector into ANSYS Fluent
Setting up boundary conditions to simulate heat transfer and fluid flow in the collector
Configuring ANSYS Fluent for coupled heat transfer and fluid flow simulation
Running the simulation to analyze thermal performance of the solar collector
Visualizing temperature distribution and fluid flow patterns within the collector
Analyzing heat transfer rates and efficiency of the solar collector
Examining the effects of solar radiation on collector performance
Introduction to concepts such as thermal losses and heat collection efficiency
Basic interpretation of results to understand solar collector performance

This tutorial provides hands-on experience in using ANSYS Fluent for thermal-fluid analysis in renewable energy systems. Learners will gain insights into how parabolic solar collectors concentrate solar energy and transfer heat to a working fluid. The module emphasizes the application of CFD in analyzing and optimizing solar thermal systems, a crucial area in sustainable energy engineering. This knowledge is valuable for designing more efficient solar collectors, improving heat transfer in renewable energy systems, and contributing to the development of clean energy technologies.