Semi-Uniform Metal Foam Distribution in Parabolic Trough Collector: An Experimental Approach for Enhancing Thermal Performance Under Iraqi Weather Conditions
In the present work, the impact of metal foam (MF) on the thermal efficiency of a parabolic trough collector (PTC) was experimentally investigated using two types of receivers: one with metal foam insertion (MFI) and one without. Tests were conducted with a 30% filling ratio (FR) of copper foam blo...
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University of Baghdad
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Engineering |
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| Online Access: | https://www.joe.uobaghdad.edu.iq/index.php/main/article/view/3553 |
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| author | Mustafa F. Hasan Mohammed A. Nima |
| author_facet | Mustafa F. Hasan Mohammed A. Nima |
| author_sort | Mustafa F. Hasan |
| collection | DOAJ |
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In the present work, the impact of metal foam (MF) on the thermal efficiency of a parabolic trough collector (PTC) was experimentally investigated using two types of receivers: one with metal foam insertion (MFI) and one without. Tests were conducted with a 30% filling ratio (FR) of copper foam blocks, consisting of 10 discs, each 45 mm thick, semi-uniformly spaced along the receiver pipe. The copper foam had pore densities of 10–40 PPI and porosities of 0.903 and 0.8983. The experiments carried out under ASHRAE 93 standards involved varying volume flow rates from 0.1 to 0.3 LPM, using water as the heat transfer fluid. The experiments took place in Iraq in May 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., under solar radiation conditions. To ensure data reliability, uncertainty analyses were performed on temperature, solar irradiation, flow rate, and pressure drop. The results indicated that the use of metal foam in the receiver improved collector efficiency, with a notable 16.74% increase at 40 PPI and 0.3 LPM. The highest thermal efficiency was achieved with 40 PPI, which raised the PTC outlet temperature to 58 °C at 0.1 LPM, compared to 53 °C for a without MFI pipe. According to performance evaluation criteria, 10 PPI foam outperforms 40 PPI foam. Compared to the denser 40 PPI, the larger 10 PPI pores improve water flow, reduce resistance, and require less energy to pump the heat transfer fluid (HTF). However, the findings found that while metal foam improves heat transfer efficiency, it increases pressure drop, highlighting the importance of balancing these factors in system design.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4d969a80bb8f4180ba28066289adddc0 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1726-4073 2520-3339 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | University of Baghdad |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Engineering |
| spelling | doaj-art-4d969a80bb8f4180ba28066289adddc02025-01-17T10:41:13ZengUniversity of BaghdadJournal of Engineering1726-40732520-33392025-01-0131110.31026/j.eng.2025.01.09Semi-Uniform Metal Foam Distribution in Parabolic Trough Collector: An Experimental Approach for Enhancing Thermal Performance Under Iraqi Weather ConditionsMustafa F. Hasan0Mohammed A. Nima1Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of BaghdadDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Baghdad In the present work, the impact of metal foam (MF) on the thermal efficiency of a parabolic trough collector (PTC) was experimentally investigated using two types of receivers: one with metal foam insertion (MFI) and one without. Tests were conducted with a 30% filling ratio (FR) of copper foam blocks, consisting of 10 discs, each 45 mm thick, semi-uniformly spaced along the receiver pipe. The copper foam had pore densities of 10–40 PPI and porosities of 0.903 and 0.8983. The experiments carried out under ASHRAE 93 standards involved varying volume flow rates from 0.1 to 0.3 LPM, using water as the heat transfer fluid. The experiments took place in Iraq in May 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., under solar radiation conditions. To ensure data reliability, uncertainty analyses were performed on temperature, solar irradiation, flow rate, and pressure drop. The results indicated that the use of metal foam in the receiver improved collector efficiency, with a notable 16.74% increase at 40 PPI and 0.3 LPM. The highest thermal efficiency was achieved with 40 PPI, which raised the PTC outlet temperature to 58 °C at 0.1 LPM, compared to 53 °C for a without MFI pipe. According to performance evaluation criteria, 10 PPI foam outperforms 40 PPI foam. Compared to the denser 40 PPI, the larger 10 PPI pores improve water flow, reduce resistance, and require less energy to pump the heat transfer fluid (HTF). However, the findings found that while metal foam improves heat transfer efficiency, it increases pressure drop, highlighting the importance of balancing these factors in system design. https://www.joe.uobaghdad.edu.iq/index.php/main/article/view/3553Iraq climateFilling ratioMetal foamParabolic trough collectorThermal performance |
| spellingShingle | Mustafa F. Hasan Mohammed A. Nima Semi-Uniform Metal Foam Distribution in Parabolic Trough Collector: An Experimental Approach for Enhancing Thermal Performance Under Iraqi Weather Conditions Journal of Engineering Iraq climate Filling ratio Metal foam Parabolic trough collector Thermal performance |
| title | Semi-Uniform Metal Foam Distribution in Parabolic Trough Collector: An Experimental Approach for Enhancing Thermal Performance Under Iraqi Weather Conditions |
| title_full | Semi-Uniform Metal Foam Distribution in Parabolic Trough Collector: An Experimental Approach for Enhancing Thermal Performance Under Iraqi Weather Conditions |
| title_fullStr | Semi-Uniform Metal Foam Distribution in Parabolic Trough Collector: An Experimental Approach for Enhancing Thermal Performance Under Iraqi Weather Conditions |
| title_full_unstemmed | Semi-Uniform Metal Foam Distribution in Parabolic Trough Collector: An Experimental Approach for Enhancing Thermal Performance Under Iraqi Weather Conditions |
| title_short | Semi-Uniform Metal Foam Distribution in Parabolic Trough Collector: An Experimental Approach for Enhancing Thermal Performance Under Iraqi Weather Conditions |
| title_sort | semi uniform metal foam distribution in parabolic trough collector an experimental approach for enhancing thermal performance under iraqi weather conditions |
| topic | Iraq climate Filling ratio Metal foam Parabolic trough collector Thermal performance |
| url | https://www.joe.uobaghdad.edu.iq/index.php/main/article/view/3553 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT mustafafhasan semiuniformmetalfoamdistributioninparabolictroughcollectoranexperimentalapproachforenhancingthermalperformanceunderiraqiweatherconditions AT mohammedanima semiuniformmetalfoamdistributioninparabolictroughcollectoranexperimentalapproachforenhancingthermalperformanceunderiraqiweatherconditions |