Dynamic Modeling and Controller Design for a Parabolic Trough Solar Collector

Abstract

The current study unveils an analytical dynamic model of a parabolic trough solar collector (PTSC) and subsequently presents the process to derive the transfer function of the PTSC system. The presented generalized transfer function derivation can be utilized to relate different operating parameters with the output temperature for any PTSC module. Presented model and derivation are applied on a PTSC module tested by Sandia National Laboratory, USA and a transfer function relating the outlet temperature of heat transfer fluid (HTF) with flowrate is derived. PID controller is designed to maintain the HTF outlet temperature by manipulating the flowrate. Controller tuning is performed <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">via</i> nature-inspired algorithms (NIAs) which is rare in the context of the control systems for PTSCs. Two NIAs namely Self-adaptive Differential Evolution (SaDE) and African Vultures Optimization Algorithm (AVOA) were used for tuning with minimization of integral of time-weighted absolute error (ITAE) as an objective. It is concluded that SaDE-PID tuned controller outperforms AVOA-PID tuned controller with lower ITAE and in terms of other controller characteristics. Also, the designed controller is examined on various grounds as transient response characteristics and performance indexes. This completes the investigation of the integrity of the presented model, process, and controller.