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Thermal & Energy Systems★ BS Final Year Project (NUTECH)

Solar Parabolic Trough Concentrator — Domestic Thermal Heating System

Designed, simulated, and physically fabricated a full-scale Solar Parabolic Trough Concentrator as the Bachelor of Science (BS) Final Year Capstone Project at NUTECH. The system harnesses direct solar irradiance by focusing concentrated sunlight onto a focal copper receiver pipe carrying heat-transfer fluid, circulating thermal energy through a closed-loop hydronic radiator system to provide sustainable, zero-emission domestic interior space heating. Conducted comprehensive thermodynamic heat transfer calculations, structural frame static stress analysis, and internal fluid CFD simulations in SolidWorks & ANSYS before manufacturing, assembling, and field-testing the physical working prototype.

SolidWorks3D Design & CADStructural AnalysisThermodynamicsCFD AnalysisThermal FEAPhysical Fabrication
Solar Parabolic Trough Concentrator — Domestic Thermal Heating System 3D CAD Model
3D SOLIDWORKS CAD ASSEMBLY
Parametric parabolic concentrator model with focal copper absorber & A-frame chassis
Solar Parabolic Trough Concentrator — Domestic Thermal Heating System Physical Working Prototype
MANUFACTURED WORKING PROTOTYPE
Full-scale working prototype fabricated & tested in university engineering laboratory

Engineering Challenge

Engineering a cost-effective, high-concentration parabolic trough required calculating precise parabolic curvature geometry to maximize optical intercept factor on the focal copper tube, ensuring structural frame stability against outdoor wind loads, and maintaining consistent thermal dissipation through an indoor radiator without fluid boiling or pressure drop.

Applied CAD & DFM Solution

Formulated exact mathematical parabolic coordinate curves in SolidWorks 3D CAD to optimize focal line geometry. Performed structural FEA on the triangulated A-frame chassis to withstand outdoor wind forces and CFD thermal-fluid analysis to predict convective heat transfer coefficients inside the copper receiver pipe. Built a dual-axis tilt tracking mechanism, integrated a 12V DC circulation pump with reservoir tank, and successfully fabricated, assembled, and validated the complete working prototype in the university manufacturing laboratory.

Key Modeling & Surfacing Highlights

Parametric parabolic surface profile generator ensuring exact focal line alignment on copper receiver
Weldment structural A-frame chassis with kinematic tilt-adjustment quadrant arc
Closed-loop hydronic plumbing integration (copper tube, high-temp hoses, radiator, fluid tank & pump)
Thermal CFD and structural FEA verification of fluid flow velocity and frame stress under gust loads
ENGINEERING SPECIFICATIONS
Aperture & Geometry:1800mm Span x 900mm Focal Depth
Focal Receiver Tube:High-Conductivity Copper Absorber Pipe (Ø 22mm)
Thermal Efficiency:64.8% Peak Solar-to-Thermal Conversion
Working Fluid:Water-Glycol Closed Hydronic Loop
Chassis & Tracking:Structural Steel A-Frame with Manual Tilt Tracking Arc
Heat Exchanger:Automotive Aluminum Fin Radiator Unit
Fluid Temp Range:85°C to 110°C Operating Temperature
THERMAL & STRUCTURAL SIMULATION
Max Stress / Load: 48.6 MPa (Structural A-Frame under 45 km/h Wind Load)
Factor of Safety: 4.8 (High Structural Durability)
Structure Optimization: Optimized Triangular Truss (32% lighter than solid channel)
Mesh / Analysis Type: Hexahedral Boundary Layer Mesh for Receiver CFD & Solid Tetrahedral for Frame

Quantitative Deliverable Results

✓Achieved 90°C+ thermal fluid output temperature under direct sunlight during live testing
✓Demonstrated 64.8% peak collector efficiency validated through experimental thermal trials
✓Successfully fabricated and assembled full-scale physical working prototype from SolidWorks CAD model
✓Completed full thermodynamic calculations, CFD simulation reports, and production drawings for BS Capstone Defense

"Haris demonstrated outstanding mastery of thermodynamics, structural CAD design, and hands-on manufacturing. The solar parabolic trough prototype achieved remarkable thermal performance during live field trials and was awarded top distinction in the BS Capstone Defense."

BS Mechanical Engineering Department
Capstone Project Evaluation Committee · National University of Technology (NUTECH)