Design of a novel solar thermal collector using a multi-criteria decision-making methodology

Abstract

Three novel solar thermal collector concepts derived from the Linear Fresnel Reflector (LFR) are developed and evaluated through a multi-criteria decision-making methodology, comprising the following techniques: Quality Function Deployment (QFD), the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and the Pugh selection matrix. Criteria are specified by technical and customer requirements gathered from Gujarat, India. The concepts are compared to a standard LFR for reference, and as a result, a novel 'Elevation Linear Fresnel Reflector' (ELFR) concept using elevating mirrors is selected. A detailed version of this concept is proposed and compared against two standard LFR configurations, one using constant and the other using variable horizontal mirror spacing. Annual performance is analysed for a typical meteorological year. Financial assessment is made through the construction of a prototype. The novel LFR has an annual optical efficiency of 49% and increases exergy by 13-23%. Operational hours above a target temperature of 300 C are increased by 9-24%. A 17% reduction in land usage is also achievable. However, the ELFR suffers from additional complexity and a 16-28% increase in capital cost. It is concluded that this novel design is particularly promising for industrial applications and locations with restricted land availability or high land costs. The decision analysis methodology adopted is considered to have a wider potential for applications in the fields of renewable energy and sustainable design.

Publication DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2013.06.027
Divisions: College of Engineering & Physical Sciences > School of Engineering and Technology > Mechanical, Biomedical & Design
College of Engineering & Physical Sciences > Sustainable environment research group
College of Business and Social Sciences > Aston Business School > Aston India Foundation for Applied Research
College of Business and Social Sciences > Aston Business School
College of Business and Social Sciences > Aston Business School > Operations & Information Management
Additional Information: NOTICE: this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Journal of cleaner production. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Nixon, JD, Davies, PA & Dey, PK, 'Design of a novel solar thermal collector using a multi-criteria decision-making methodology' Journal of cleaner production, vol. 59 (2013) DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2013.06.027 Funding: Science Bridge project; Research Councils UK [EP/G039992/1]; Department of Science and Technology, India
Uncontrolled Keywords: solar thermal,linear Fresnel reflector,analytical hierarchy process,quality function deployment,pugh selection matrix,multi-criteria decision-making
Publication ISSN: 1879-1786
Last Modified: 03 Oct 2024 07:12
Date Deposited: 25 Jul 2013 14:03
Full Text Link:
Related URLs: http://www.scop ... tnerID=8YFLogxK (Scopus URL)
PURE Output Type: Article
Published Date: 2013-11-15
Published Online Date: 2013-06-27
Authors: Nixon, J.D.
Davies, P.A. (ORCID Profile 0000-0003-4783-1234)
Dey, P.K. (ORCID Profile 0000-0002-9984-5374)

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