Three-dimensional numerical study on fully-developed mixed laminar convection in parabolic trough solar receiver tube

In this paper, a numerical investigation is presented, aiming at the effect of the buoyancy force induced by the non-uniform heat flux on the laminar flow and heat transfer characteristics in the solar receiver tube of parabolic trough collector. The flow and heat transfer performances are analyzed for forced and mixed laminar convection in receiver tube heated by uniform and non-uniform heat fluxes with different Grashof numbers, Reynolds numbers and solar elevation angles. The results show that the natural convection can increase heat transfer rate of laminar forced convection by more than 10% when the Grashof number is greater than a threshold value. The mixed fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics vary with solar elevation angle. Heat transfer deterioration occurs when the Richardson number is greater than 12.8.