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.
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.
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.
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.