Abstract

The analysis of the two-phase flow in linear concentrators remains a fundamental part of implementing the concept known as direct steam generation in concentrated solar thermal plants. The models developed to date require, on the one hand, an iterative analysis to estimate the coefficient ℎ , and, on the other hand, high demand for computational fluid dynamics calculations. In the present work, with the help of Adiutori’s methodology, a one dimensional thermo-hydraulic model of a parabolic trough collector in the direct steam generation is described. The difference between the present model, which stands out from the rest, is that for the analysis of convective heat transfer, a functional of the temperature is evaluated, instead of dimensionless groups to estimate the h coefficient, a similar approach is used for the pressure drop instead of the fluid friction factor. This allows to solve directly, and without the need for iterative processes, the model to predict the temperature rise and the pressure drop along the receiver, especially in the two-phase flow zone. The results obtained are similar to the experimental data published by different researchers, which validates the developed model, and will allow simulations to be carried out in a more agile way and reduce calculation errors. This ensures the usefulness of the model for further analysis.