ABSTRACT
As shown in Figure 6.1.1, in a parabolic trough collector (PTC) a sheet of reflective material is formed in parabolic shape. At the focal point of the parabola a metal black pipe, covered with a glass tube to reduce thermal losses, is placed. When the axis formed by the centre of the parabola and the receiver faces the sun, the parallel rays incident on the reflector are reflected and focused onto the receiver tube. In this way the concentrated radiation reaching the receiver tube heats the receiver pipe and thus the fluid circulating through it, transforming the solar radiation into useful heat.
