1

WREF 2012: MODELING GENERATION SYSTEMS FROM USING SOLAR STIRLING

ENGINES PARABOLIC DISHES (SOLAR / DISH)

Sebastin Mendoza
University federal of Itajub
Minas Gerais-Brazil
E mail: sebasmen@hotmail.com

Oscar Almazan
Instituto Cubano de Investigaciones de
los derivados de la caa de azcar.
E mail:
almazandelolmooscar@Yahoo.com

Electo Silva
Vladimir Cobas
University federal of Itajub, Brazil
E mail: electo@unifei.edu.br

Reinaldo Guillen
University Oriente of Cuba
E mail: reiguigor55@gamil.com


ABSTRACT

For the first time a model structured according (Duffie J.
and Beckman W., 1980), (Gaven H. and Bannerot R.
1984), (Kongtragool, B. and Wongwises S., 2005), is
presented, that describes the behavior of an electric power
generation system, based on a solar energy technology
using a Dish/Stirling system coupled to an electric
generator. The first part of the model determines the
characteristic of the earth movement related to the Sun,
obtaining the follow-up angles to maximize the
temperature in the receiver at any geographical location.
The efficiencies for every stage of the system were also
calculated, based on the reports of the Meteorological
Station of the University Itajub-Brazil.

Also, using the model, the optical-geometric variables
were calculated, which allows optimizing the behavior of
the system for any geometric dimensions and types of
materials of the collector/receiver. In addition, the model
gives the heat balance calculation evaluating the
efficiencies of the manifold, the receiver, the Stirling
motor and the whole system.

Using MATLAB a simulation was done and the results
validated by specialized publications. For a collector of
7,5 m of diameter, having a constant radiation of 1000
W/m, the optimum temperature for the higher efficiency
of the system (67%), was 1551 K. For the maximum
power condition, the model shows that the temperature
must be 1664 K, but with an overall efficiency of only 26
%.

Keywords: Solar Energy, Solar Collector, Stirling
Engine, Maximum Power, Maximum Efficiency, Energy
Conversion.

NOMENCLATURA

Aperture area, m

Area of the receiver in the Stirling engine, m

Focus, m

Receiver design height, m

Diameter of the parabola, m

Diameter of the receiver, m

Equation of time, min

Fraction of collector area unshaded

F Error Dispersion

Solar direct irradiation, W/m

Constant of convection, W/mK

Local time, h

Meridian conventional,

Local meridian,
Day of year (between 1 and 365)
Time of solar insolation, h

Losses convection, W

Losses radiation, W

Useful energy captured, W

Solar time

Temperature of the cold zone of the Stirling

engine

Air temperature, K

Receiver temperature, K

Ambient temperature, K
1 Summer, 0 Winter

Greek letters

Reflectivity of reflector

Transmissivity of cover plate

2

Absorptivity of absorber plate

Geometric form factor

Tracking factor
Interception factor

Rim Angle
Emissivity of the absorber plate
Constant Stefan-Boltzmann, W/mK
4

Declination angle

Receiver efficiency %

Collector efficiency %

Stirling engine efficiency %

1. INTRODUCTION

The increase in electricity demand and pollution
associated with the modes of generation from
conventional energy sources, has prompted the
development of sustainable technologies. In Brazil the
solar power will obtain more incentives in the next years
to stimulate a future developments, for example the plants
of solar energy, photovoltaic or thermal power of up to a
capacity of 30 MW, will have a maximum of 80 % of
discount in the prices of the use of the distribution system
and transmission for the first 10 years (1).

The systems of dish Stirling between (1 to 25 kWe),
achieve the highest conversion efficiency of solar
radiation into electrical energy reaching peak values
between 29 and 30% (2). The barrier to this type of
technology is the high price of concentrator / receiver,
device tracking and Stirling engine. At the present,
companies like Endesa take part in a pioneering program
with the aim to demonstrate the technical and economic
viability of the solar technology (3). Between the solar
technologies, the discs Stirling have not a wide
operational experience compared with systems like the
parabolic or photovoltaic cylinders. The information
about this technology is scanty and the design parameters
of some already constructed systems are not available.

Then there arises the need to elaborate a mathematical
model who analyzes the general behavior of a system
Dish/Stirling, Considering the variation of the solar
irradiation, ambient temperature, the speed of the wind
and the orientation of the receiver; Beside elaborates a
geometric model who changes the distances and
dimensions of the Collector/Receiver and finally to do an
analysis of the thermal balance of the Receiver/Stirling
Engine. There are several methods of analysis to
determine the behavior of the Dish/Stirling, they are
classified as photometric, calorimetric, analytical and
numerical. This work is based on the analytical method
that decomposes the solar system in three stages to be
studied (Geometric modeling the relative motion of the
sun, the geometric modeling of interaction
Collector/Receiver and the thermal balance of the whole
system). Also the numerical method was used, departing
from mathematical foundations allows to elaborate a
numerical sequential algorithm that describes the general
behavior of the system Dish/Stirling calculating the
energetic contribution of the solar incidental radiation to
the generation of electricity.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE SYSTEM

The behavior of the system of electric power generation
using a parabolic concentrator is determined by the
quantity of solar radiation which reaches the collector
mirror surface and reflected to the receiver located in the
area of the parable. In order to get the advantage of solar
radiation maximum, it is necessary minimize the angle of
incidence which vary notably in the course of the days
and of the years. The factors that determine the angle of
incidence are the decline, geographical latitude,
inclination, orientation and hourly angle (4).

To maximize the thermal energy at the focal point its
important optimizes the solar tracking system, the
geometric design of the Collector/Receiver and reduce the
heat loss by convection and radiation (5). There are two
types of receptors that could be used in the technology
Dish/Stirling, one is the DIR receiver (Direct-Illumination
Receivers), that allows a direct adaptation
Receiver/Stirling engine, comprising a tube bundle of a
thickness of 3 [mm] thick through which a working fluid
circulates (Helium, hydrogen or Air), highly pressurized
(5-20 MPa), and reaching temperatures of 800 C. There
exist other types of receivers like of reflux, which use an
intermediate fluid (liquid sodium) distributed of capillary
form across the surface of the receiver; the sodium
evaporates delivering heat to the fluid of work of the
engine Stirling, with a capacity of heat transmission of
800W/cm (6)

3. METHODOLOGY

The mathematical model developed for the generation of
electricity from solar radiation using a Dish/Stirling
system in the city of Itajub M.G Brazil, was elaborated
following a sequential algorithm. The algorithm uses
conditional curls to limit the maximum concentration and
iterative procedures to find the ideal temperature; also to
draw curves that allow selecting the design parameters
and the geometric configuration. The algorithm of
solution is based on the basic principles of physics and
heat transfer.

The first stage of the algorithm shown in Figure 1,
calculates the trigonometrically relations of the relative
movement of the Sun with regard to the collector, taking
as input parameters the latitude, longitude, year, civil
time, solar time, etc., to determine the angles that govern
the perfect follow-up of the solar collector (azimuth
angle, angle of solar elevation, hour angle, angle of
incident, etc.), also calculating the time of solar sunstroke
during the day
3








Fig. 1: Algorithm of solution of the model of the relative
movement of the Sun

.



















Fig. 2: Algorithm of solution for the geometric model
Dish/Receiver

The second stage of the algorithm showed in the figure 2,
he calculates geometric parameters of design like
dimensions of the Collector / recipient, focal ideal
distance, factor of geometric configuration, factor of
shade, maximum geometric concentration, etc., in order to
maximize the heat flow in the cavity of the recipient. The
values of geometric concentration of the system
Dish/Stirling, was limited from data (800 to 4000 suns)
found in scientific literature, since geometrically these
values can reach values of up to 46,189 Suns (7).


























Fig. 3: Algorithm of solution of the heat balance.

The third stage of the algorithm shown in Figure 3,
calculates the thermal balance of the stage between the
receiver and Stirling engine, having parameters of entry
as the coefficient of reflection, coefficient of absorption,
etc. The algorithm calculates the principal parameters that
affect the thermal behavior, as the flow of energy that
comes to the cavity of the recipient, the losses for
convection and radiation, the theoretical temperature in
the recipient and the efficiencies for every phase of the
system (capacity of reflection of the collector mirror,
capacity of absorption and transmission of the recipient to
the engine Stirling and overall efficiency of the solar
system).


3.1 Characteristics of the relative movement of the Sun

The thermal systems based on solar power must consider
the coordinates of the Sun in relation to the collector
during the day, with end of catching the maximum solar
radiation as is shows in Figure 4
Entering data
Day Latitude
Month Length
Year Civil time

1
Solar Modeling
Start of the program
To Calculate:
zs

s

s

i
T
output
T
setting
N
solar

r
D
pd
A
parab

solar

disp

f/D
p

1
To Calculate: A
r
C
h
D
r
h C
max
C
geometric
Geometric modeling
Cmax >=400
D
r
>=12
D
r
>=8
D
r
>=7
D
r
=3.8
D
r
>=2.4
C
max
=3500
C
max
=2800
C
max
=1800
C
max
=900
C
max
=1400
2
f
s

sin
0
sin
5
sin
10


Calculation of losses by shadow

Energy balance
2
Thermal modeling
T
recep
<=1100
Q
l
Q
r
Q
s
Q
u
Q
lo

colect

recep

motor

absor

sistema

P
motor
P
sistema
CONDITION
max
P
max

max_T
P
max_T
FIN

abs

abs

t
sin

inter

r

viento
T
amb
I
b
Theoretical temperature
Calculation of efficiencies
Calculation of powers
K
a
K
b

4


Fig. 4: Scheme of the position of the Sun in relation to an
any collector surface. Adapted from (8)

3.1.1 Angle of solar decline

The axis of rotation of the earth is inclined 23.45 in
relation to the orbital plane of the earth, so as it rotates
around the sun, occurs an unequal distribution of light and
heat in different regions. The mathematical model for
calculating this phenomenon is report by (9):
Method of Spencer (1971)

s() sin()
s() sin() s()
sin() (1)

Where:

n (

5
) (2)

3.1.2 Equation of Time

The trajectory that describes the earth in its movement
around the sun is not circular but elliptical, therefore
along the year the noon indicated on clocks (civil time),
does not match the duration of the half turn of the earth
over its axis (solar time). The difference in time (minutes)
between the civil time and solar time varies along the
years.

3.1.3 Solar real hour

Civil time is by definition, the same for the entire length
within the same time zone. To a site away 3 respect to
the length of reference time, the solar time will be
erroneous in a 20% of civil time. The solar time is given
by (10)

] [

] [] (

)[] (3)

3.1.4 Trigonometric relationships between the sun and
earth

To calculate the solar radiation on a horizontal surface in
the land, it is necessary to write the trigonometrically
relations between the position of the Sun and the
coordinates on the land, described in terms of angles
shown below (4):
Solar time angle ()

(4)

Zenith angle (

):
s(

) () () () ()
() (5)

0


Solar angle (

)

(6)

0

Angle Azimuth of the Sun (

)
(

)
(

)()()
(

)()
(7)

0

Angle Azimuth in the surface (), formed by the
projection of the surface in a horizontal plane about the
meridian of the site,
0

0
; East (-),West
(+) and south (0)
Angle of incidence (

)

(

) sin() () () () ()
() () () () () ()
() () () () () ()
() () () (8)
Sunrise time

15

(9)

Sunset time

15

(10)

To calculate the number of hours of solar insolation using
the equation:

15
s
1
(n n ) (11)

3.2 Calculation of solar concentrator

For the diameter of aperture

, we have the following

relationship (figure 5):

sin

(12)

To calculate the opening area:

(13)
5


Fig. 5: Geometric considerations of the collector

To determine the distance

, applies the relation of

similar triangles:

(14)

The edge angle is given by (11):

n
1
(

(1(

1)
) (15)
The maximum concentration is given by (6):

)
(0

)
)

(16)

Figure 6, shows the variation of the solar concentration as
a function of the angle of edge, where the maxim this
efficiency given for an angle of edge of 45. The solar
concentration meets diminished due to the losses for
dispersion, lost by deterioration of the mirror, etc.

Fig. 6: Variation of solar concentration

3.3 Energy balance

The receiver of the system Dish/Stirling is responsible for
the majority for the heat losses before that the energy is
turned into electricity. The quantity of energy is
determined by the balance of energy according whith
equation 17 (12).

) (17)

3.3.1 Quantity of flow in the absorber

The function of the absorber is to receive the sun's rays
reflected by the collector. This energy is absorbed by the
disc and is determined by the relationship (12):

(18)

3.3.2 Optical efficiency of the parabolic collector

The optical efficiency of the collector is defined as the
ratio between the radiation that receiver intercepts the
surface and the radiation incident in an opening area of
the collector and is determined by (13):

(19)

3.3.3 Losses by factor of shade and geometric
configuration

The losses by the shadow effect, shown in Figure 7, are
produced by the geometric configuration of the structure
that supports the Motor/Receiver, decreasing the effective
area of the collector that gives energy to the receiver (14).
The (

) are calculated by the equation (20):

Fig. 7: Shadow caused by the recipient. [Adapted from
Siegel y Howel (1981)]

)
(20)

The factor

depends on the variation of rim angle

and of shadow effect that originate the receiver over the
collector, represented by the angles (

). Figure 8 shows the decrease of the

factor

as edge angle increases; this is due to the

elliptical image projected by the mirror to the receptor,
causing a dispersion effect in the cavity of the recipient.



Fig.8: Curves of the factor of shading and geometric
configuration

6

3.3.4 Efficiency in the collector

The principal measure of efficiency of the collector is the
fraction of solar irradiation that reaches the opening of the
collector and is reflected to the receiver (11), determined
by the equation (21).

) (21)

3.3.5 Theoretical temperature at receiver

To find the theoretical temperature at the receiver,
equation (22) is used, being dependent to solar irradiation
and is attenuated by geometric factors, coefficients of the
material, etc. (15).

(22)

3.3.6 Radiation losses

Radiation losses are determined by the equation (12):

) (23)

The Stefan-Boltzmann constant is given by:

)
] (24)

The air temperature is given by:

15
(25)

3.3.7 Convection losses

Convection losses are determined as:

) (26)

The coefficient of convective heat transfer depends on the
wind velocity and is given by:

05
(27)

3.3.8 Useful energy in the collector

The energy balance equation or fundamental equation of
solar concentration governs the efficiency of solar
collectors and serves as a design parameter. The
fundamental equation is given by (11):

(28)

[(

)
(

)] (29)
3.3.9 Receptor efficiency

The performance of the recipient is defined as the
quantity of energy that is liberated to the fluid of work of
the thermal machine, divided by the solar flow that
reaches to cavity of the recipient defined for (16):

(30)

The most significant losses are the losses by radiation that
are dependent on temperature to the fourth power.

3.3.10 Design for maximum power and maximum
efficiency Stirling engine

The Stirling engine technology emerges as a possibility in
the field of solar energy, because it is an external
combustion engine, using as the working fluid (air,
hydrogen, helium), that working in a closed cycle and
does not emit any pollutant (5).

Heat engines are usually designed to operate in between
two limiting cases; maximum efficiency and maximum
power, seeking to have a balance in the operation. (17).

In the first case limit the Carnot efficiency is given by:

(31)

Multiplying the Carnot efficiency with the efficiency of
thermal receiver system is obtained:

(32)
Where:

(33)

(34)

To maximize efficiency, derives the overall efficiency
with respect to temperature in the receiver.

(35)

The optimum temperature of the receiver

, is obtained
by solving the following equation.

(36)

For the condition of maximum power:
7

To find the maximum power condition is used the
equation of Curzon-Ahlborn (17).

(37)

)
05
(38)

This equation represents the limit of the ideal temperature
for the condition of maxim possible power of an engine
royal Stirling (17).

(39)

(40)

(41)

3.3.11 System efficiency for condition (maximum
power and maximum efficiency)

Calculated the absorber temperature for maximum
efficiency, the calculation of engine efficiency is realized
by the formula Malmo, taking into account the Stirling
factor which is between

0,55-0,88 (17)

(42)

4. RESULTS

The optimal working temperature

Solar Stirling engine

is between two case studies, optimum temperature for
maximum efficiency and optimum temperature for
maximum power. The analysis is done for 5 values of
irradiation (200, 400, 600, 800, 1000 W/m ), remaining
constant the solar concentration in 2500 Suns and a
diameter of the collector at 7.3 m.



Fig. 9: Maximum possible efficiency in the receiver

At higher solar radiation, higher are ranges of temperature
in the receiver. The point of maximum system efficiency
is not the same point for maximum power. In Figure 9
shows the values of maximum efficiency of the receiver
for different values of insolation.

For the condition of maxim power showed in the figure
10, the ideal temperature in the recipient increases and the
efficiency of the engine goes down drastically with regard
to the value of maximum efficiency; in addition the
engine for this condition must work for short periods
time.



Fig. 10: Efficiency of the motor in the condition of
maximum power

To determine the maximum possible efficiency (figure
11) in a Dish/Stirling uses the following steps:

The efficiency in the receiver is calculated from the
equation (30), using the optimal temperature for
maximum efficiency in the receiver, by means of
equation (36).

The actual efficiency of the Stirling engine is
calculated using equation (38), using Ks = 0.55 with
the optimal temperature of the receiver calculated by
the equation (36)



Fig. 13: Total system efficiency

5. CONCLUSIONS

For the first time a mathematical model was developed to
design a solar thermal system Dish/Stirling, to generate
electricity, which was validated using data from
specialized literature like Compendium Solar, CIEMAT
text and other scientific journals.
The study was performed over a collector of 7,3 m,
diameter, varying the solar radiation between 200 and
1000 W/m, based on the results obtained by the models,
8

is also possible to report that the Model with the use of a
three sequential algorithms is pertinent to the problem
under study.
The results obtained are coherent and correspond to the
results of a Model describing the influence the relative
movement solar, was validated related to program called
SUNRISE.
The Model describes the thermal behavior, which allowed
to check the influence of optimal solar tracking and
geometric design over the overall system efficiency,
considering normal daily solar radiation, wind speed,
ambient temperature, in the city of Itajub average overall
efficiencies calculated and actually obtained were 24-
27%, using a technology factor Stirling Ks=0,5.
For the condition of maximum efficiency in the receiver
and maximum engine power were a set of profile curves
was elaborate, for different values of the irradiation: 200,
400, 600, 800, 1000 W/m, where is possible to observe
that for any radiation valvue there is a corresponding
temperature for a given optimum efficiency.
The same set of curves gives the relation between
radiation, temperature and maximum power.

6. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors want to thank to the Coordination of
Improvement of Higher Education (CAPES), National
Council of Technological and Scientific Development
(CNPq) and Foundation for Research Support of Minas
Gerais State (FAPEMIG) for their collaboration and
financial support in the development of this work, also
CPFL Energia and ANEEL Brazilian Electricity
Regulatory Agency; Energy Company, for the funding of
the Solar/Biomass Hybrid System product.

7. BIBLIOGRAPHY

(1). Canazio, Alexandre. CANAL ENERGIA. [En lnea]
09 de 08 de 2011. [Citado el: 19 de 08 de 2011.]
http://www.canalenergia.com.br/zpublisher/autenticaUsua
rio/?er=403.05.
(2). Andraka, Charles E. Solar Heat Pipe Testing of the
Stirling Thermal Motors 4-120 Stirling. [ed.] IEEE.DE-
AC04-94AL85000. 1996.
(3). Endesa. Informe de sostenibilidad 2010. Endesa,
Chile: s.n., 2010.
(4). Duffie, John A y Beckman, William A. Solar
Engineering of Thermal Processes. [ed.] John Wiley-
Interscience Publication. Madison, Wisconsin : s.n., 1980.
pgs. 1-469. Vol. Second Edition .
(5). Nepveu, Francois, Thermal Model of a Dish/Stirling
Systems. Nepveu, Francois, Ferriere, Alain y Bataille,
Francoise. January de 2009, Solar Energy, Vol. 83, pgs.
81-89.
(6). Newton, C. Christopher. A Concentrated Solar
Thermal Energy System. The Florida State University
FAMU-FSU College of Engineering. 2007. A Thesis
submitted to the Department of Mechanical Engineering
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of
Master of Science.
(7). Pitz, Robert. High Temperature Solar Concentrators.
Pitz, Robert Paal. 2007, Solar Energy Conversion and
Photoenergy Systems, pgs. 1-47.
(8). Hernndez H, Bibiana C. El concentrador solar como
medida alternativa de un horno . Divisin de procesos de
procesos de produccin, Universidad tecnlogica de
Tabasco. Tabasco : s.n., 2010. pgs. 1-84, Trabajo
recepcional.
(10) Ruiz Hernndez, Valeriano y . Silva Prez, Manuel
A. Radiacin Solar medidas y clculos. Grupo de
Termodinmica y Energas Renovables, Universidad de
Sevilla, Escuela Superior de Ingenieros. Sevilla : s.n.,
2006.
(11).Stine, William B. y Diver, Richard B. A
Compendium of Solar Dish/Stirling Technology.
California : Sandia National Laboratories, 1994.
(12) Wua, Shuang Ying, A parabolic dish/AMTEC solar
thermal power system and its performance evaluation.
Wua, Shuang Ying, and others. Miami, : s.n., 27 de
August de 2009, Applied Energy, pgs. 452-462.
(13) Howell, John R y Siegel, Robert. Thermal Radiation
Heat Transfer. 4th Edition. New York : Taylor & Francis,
2002. pg. 987.
(14) Jaramillo S, Oscar A. Transporte de enegria solar
concentrada a traves de fibras opticas: Acoplamiento
Fibra-Concentrador Estudio Termico. Universidad
autonoma de Mexico. Morelia : s.n., 1998. pgs. 1-171,
Maestria en Energia Solar.
(15) Kandilli, C Review and modelling the systems of
transmission concentrated solar energy via optical fibres.
Kandilli, C y Ulgen, K. 31 de May de 2007, Renewable
and Sustainable Energy Review, pgs. 67-84.
(16) Kaushika, N. Performance of a low cost solar
paraboloidal dish steam generating system. Kaushika, N.
D and Reddy, K.S. 17 de August de 1999, Energy
Conversion & Management, pg. 713726.
(17)Bancha, Kongtragool Optimum absorber temperature
of a once-reflecting full conical concentrator of a low
temperature differential Stirling engine. Bancha,
Kongtragool y Somchai, Wongwises. 25 de February de
2005, Renewable Energy, pgs. 1-17.
(18) Di Lalla, N. Ensayos de degradacin trmica de
superficies de cromo negro. Di Lalla, N y E, Frigerio. San
Martn : s.n., 2005, ASADES, Vol. 9, pgs. 08.67-0.871.