A nonlinear dynamic thermal regulator for a paraboloidal solar collector

This paper deals with the problem of the identification and the thermal regulation of a solar paraboloidal collector. First, a short description of the experimental process is given and former modelling results are presented. Then, using experimental data, a bilinear model for the receiver of the collector is derived. Based on this model, a nonlinear dynamic regulator is established. The role of this regulator is to define an equilibrium point for the output temperature of the heat-transfer fluid and, in addition, to eliminate deviations which are due to external perturbations. Finally, simulation results are presented in order to evaluate the performance of the proposed technique. A microprocessor-based system is recommended for implementation of the control algorithm.