Efficiency of a parabolic trough collector as a water heater system in Yucatán, Mexico

The performance of a parabolic trough collector (PTC) manufactured in Merida, Yucatán, was evaluated under the ANSI/ASHRAE 93-1986 standard. The water heating system for testing with a constant flow limited to a maximum temperature of 55 °C was built; thus the tests were at low temperatures. Using water as working fluid, it was found that the maximum efficiency of the collector was 5.43%, with a flow rate of 0.022 kg/s at a direct solar irradiance with incidence angle 0°. The evaluation methodology and design of the system for testing the collector is reported in this paper.