Modeling the Performance of Glass-Cover-Free Parabolic Trough Collector Prototypes for Solar Water Disinfection in Rural Off-Grid Communities

Fernando Aricapa, Jorge L. Gallego, Alejandro Silva-Cortés, Claudia Díaz-Mendoza, Jorgelina Pasqualino · 2026 · Physchem

Summary. Researchers developed a numerical model to optimize glass-free parabolic trough collectors for solar water disinfection in rural off-grid communities. Testing the design in Colombia's Caribbean region, they found that compact collectors can reach temperatures above 70°C and effectively kill pathogens quickly. The model identifies which design features—rim angle, focal length, optical properties—matter most for performance, providing a practical tool for communities to build and adapt low-cost water treatment systems locally.

Read the original

@article{aricapa-2026-modeling-performance-glass-cover-free,
  title   = {Modeling the Performance of Glass-Cover-Free Parabolic Trough Collector Prototypes for Solar Water Disinfection in Rural Off-Grid Communities},
  author  = {Fernando Aricapa and Jorge L. Gallego and Alejandro Silva-Cortés and Claudia Díaz-Mendoza and Jorgelina Pasqualino},
  journal = {Physchem},
  year    = {2026},
  doi     = {10.3390/physchem6010009},
  url     = {https://doi.org/10.3390/physchem6010009}
}

TY  - JOUR
TI  - Modeling the Performance of Glass-Cover-Free Parabolic Trough Collector Prototypes for Solar Water Disinfection in Rural Off-Grid Communities
AU  - Fernando Aricapa
AU  - Jorge L. Gallego
AU  - Alejandro Silva-Cortés
AU  - Claudia Díaz-Mendoza
AU  - Jorgelina Pasqualino
JO  - Physchem
PY  - 2026
DO  - 10.3390/physchem6010009
UR  - https://doi.org/10.3390/physchem6010009
ER  - 

Details

DOI

10.3390/physchem6010009

Countries

Colombia

Regions

South America

Categories

energy, rural-healthcare, climate-and-environment, general-innovation

Added

2026-04-29