3D CFD wind flow analysis technique applied to a parabolic solar tracker for two extreme weather conditions with experimental results and a controller proposition

This work presents a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) wind flow analysis technique applied to a Parabolic Solar Tracker (PST) using a three-dimensional Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes Method. The modeling technique considered two extreme weather conditions named: (i) North Wind (NW) and (ii) Severe Convective Storms (SCSs), both of which can severely affect the integrity and the position control of a PST under operational conditions. The NW case simulated was validated using experimental data without bottom effects in order to verify the degree of approximation between the numerical results obtained in each approach and measurement data. It was observed that the simulated data were satisfactory in most cases, with predictions on the order of 77% compared to the measured data. The numerical CFD results at different heights for both cases, NW and SCS, were also verified. Finally, the CFD wind flow analysis technique results were used to: (i) establish both analytical and numerical models for dynamic and steady state analysis, control design, and simulation purposes and (ii) consequently design a closed loop controller which can minimize the wind effects.