Dynamic conversion of solar generated heat to electricity

The effort undertaken during this program led to the selection of the water-superheated steam (850 psig/900 F) crescent central receiver as the preferred concept from among 11 candidate systems across the technological spectrum of the dynamic conversion of solar generated heat to electricity. The solar power plant designs were investigated in the range of plant capacities from 100 to 1000 Mw(e). The investigations considered the impacts of plant size, collector design, feed-water temperature ratio, heat rejection equipment, ground cover, and location on solar power technical and economic feasibility. For the distributed receiver systems, the optimization studies showed that plant capacities less than 100 Mw(e) may be best. Although the size of central receiver concepts was not parametrically investigated, all indications are that the optimal plant capacity for central receiver systems will be in the range from 50 to 200 Mw(e). Solar thermal power plant site selection criteria and methodology were also established and used to evaluate potentially suitable sites. The result of this effort was to identify a site south of Inyokern, California, as typically suitable for a solar thermal power plant. The criteria used in the selection process included insolation and climatological characteristics, topography, and seismic history as well as water availability

Techno-economic projections for advanced small solar thermal electric power plants to years 1990-2000

Advanced technologies applicable to solar thermal electric power systems in the 1990-200 time-frame are delineated for power applications that fulfill a wide spectrum of small power needs with primary emphasis on power ratings less than 10MWe. Projections of power system characteristics (energy and capital costs as a function of capacity factor) are made based on development of identified promising technologies and are used as the basis for comparing technology development options and combinations of these options to determine developmental directions offering potential for significant improvements. Stirling engines, Brayton/Rankine combined cycles and storage/transport concepts encompassing liquid metals, and reversible-reaction chemical systems are considered for two-axis tracking systems such as the central receiver or power tower concept and distributed parabolic dish receivers which can provide efficient low-cost solar energy collection while achieving high temperatures for efficient energy conversion. Pursuit of advanced technology across a broad front can result in post-1985 solar thermal systems having the potential of approaching the goal of competitiveness with conventional power systems

Object-oriented modeling for the transient performance simulation of solar thermal power plants using parabolic trough collectors: a review and proposal of modeling approaches for thermal energy storage

La intención de este trabajo es extender las técnicas actuales de modelización del almacenamiento térmico activo directo y activo indirecto, con dos tanques y sales fundidas como medio de almacenamiento. Con el objetivo de conseguir aumentar el conocimiento sobre su comportamiento térmico y los aspectos operacionales, los modelos desarrollados deben permitir la evaluación del sistema de almacenamiento térmico en condiciones transitorias. Así, la parte principal de este trabajo (la Parte II) se centra en la modelización y evaluación del comportamiento de los intercambiadores de calor para la tecnología de almacenamiento térmico activo indirecto, que emplea sales fundidas (60% en peso de nitrato sódico, NaNO3, y 40% en peso de nitrato potásico, KNO3) como medio de almacenamiento y aceite térmico (una mezcla de difenilo, C12H10, y oxido de difenilo, C12H10O) como fluido caloportador. Asumiendo un diseño de intercambiador de calor del tipo carcasa y tubos, el comportamiento del proceso de intercambio de calor entre el medio de almacenamiento y el fluido caloportador se analiza en detalle, considerando condiciones de operación estacionarias y transitorias bajo cargas nominales y parciales. El modelo estacionario proporciona información útil sobre el coeficiente global de transmisión de calor y los rangos de variación de pérdidas de carga para dos configuraciones de intercambiadores de calor específicas. Se demuestra que la configuración de dos intercambiadores en paralelo supera a la configuración convencional de un único intercambiador en funcionamiento. Por otro lado, la evaluación del modelo transitorio suministra paráametros típicos del proceso como la ganancia, el tiempo muerto y la constante del tiempo para el modo de carga y descarga, en condiciones nominales y parciales. Además, se ha obtenido un modelo transitorio del tanque de almacenamiento a alta temperatura razonablemente simple, el cual es muy adecuado para simulaciones del comportamiento de centrales CSP en su conjunto. En el estudio se ha demostrado que las pérdidas térmicas por convección natural en la atmosfera de gas encima de la superficie libre de las sales fundidas se pueden omitir en el modelo, causando errores despreciables. También, se pueden asumir coeficientes de convección constantes entre la superficie de las paredes del tanque y las sales fundidas. Sin embargo, la transmisión de calor por radiación entre la superficie libre de las sales fundidas y las paredes interiores del tanque, que no están en contacto con las sales, deben de ser consideradas, dada su importante influencia en las pérdidas totales. Además, debido al modelado de la trasmisión de calor por las paredes del tanque en modo transitorio y al cálculo preciso de la temperatura de la superficie exterior, la influencia que las condiciones de contorno ambientales tienen sobre las pérdidas de calor, pueden ser caracterizadas de manera mucho más adecuada que mediante métodos cuasi-estacionarios, que solo tienen en cuenta la temperatura ambiente. Finalmente, la Parte III trata de la aplicación de los modelos desarrollados para los componentes del almacenamiento térmico, a un modelo exhaustivo y completo de una central de captadores cilindro-parabólicos a nivel global. De este modo se simula, no solo el comportamiento del sistema de almacenamiento térmico activo indirecto, sino también las respuestas de la central solar térmica al completo, debido a los cambios en las condiciones de contorno ambientales. Se observa que la inercia térmica del sistema de almacenamiento activo indirecto es muy considerable, influyendo de manera notable en los rápidos cambios de carga necesarios para capturar la mayor cantidad posible de la energía solar disponible, y para alimentar el bloque de potencia con una potencia térmica constante, independientemente de la actual radiación solar. Por último pero no menos importante, los modelos presentados han sido desarrollados de manera flexible, bien estructurada y con una programación orientada a objetos, particularmente dando importancia a una implementación independiente de la plataforma de simulación, hecho que ha sido llevado a cabo utilizando el lenguaje de modelación Modelica. Este es un lenguaje de modelizado de sistemas físicos multiobjetivo, que ha sido desarrollado en un esfuerzo internacional para unificar las técnicas de simulación ya existentes y para permitir el intercambio fácil de los modelos y librerías de modelos que se desarrollen. El concepto de Modelica se basa en modelos no causales que utilizan ecuaciones diferenciales ordinarias y algebraicas.This work's intention is to extend the current state-of-the-art regarding the modeling of the active direct and the active indirect two-tank moltensalt- based thermal energy storage (TES) concept. The aim is to widen the knowledge about their thermal behavior and operational aspects. In particular, the developed models shall enable the evaluation of the storage system's transient behavior. Thus, the main part of this work (Part II) focuses on the modeling and the performance evaluation of oil-to-molten salt heat exchangers for the active indirect thermal energy storage technology, applying molten salt (60%, by weight, sodium nitrate, NaNO3, and 40%, by weight, potassium nitrate, KNO3) as storage medium and thermal oil (a mixture of diphenyl, C12H10, and diphenyl oxide, C12H10O) as heat transfer fluid. Assuming a shell-andtube heat exchanger design, the performance of the heat exchange process between the storage medium and the heat transfer fluid is discussed in detail, considering steady-state as well as transient operating conditions under nominal as well as partial loads. On the one hand, the steady-state model gives useful information about overall heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop ranges for two specific heat exchanger setups. In particular, it is shown that two separate heat exchanger trains in parallel exceed the conventional single train setup in performance. On the other hand, the evaluation of the transient performance model yields typical process parameters as process gain, dead time and time constant for charging as well as for discharging mode at representative heat exchanger loads. In addition to this, a reasonable simple transient high-temperature storage tank model is derived, which is well suited for CSP performance simulations on system level due to reasonable model simplifications. For example, it is found in this work that the convective heat losses via the tank's gas atmosphere (usually nitrogen at ambient pressure) above the molten salt surface can be neglected by only introducing negligible calculation errors. Also, the convective heat transfer coefficients between the molten salt and the wetted parts of the tank's inner steel jacket may be set to constant values. However, the important radiative heat transfer between the surface of the molten salt and the non-wetted parts of the tank's inner steel jacket must be considered, which is done assuming an ideal cylindrical geometry. Furthermore, due to the transient modeling of the storage tank walls and a detailed estimation of the exterior surface temperature, the influence of altering environmental boundary conditions can be captured more accurately than by quasi-steadystate methods that only account for the current ambient air temperature. Finally, Part III treats the application of the developed TES model components in a comprehensive model of a parabolic trough collector plant on system level, showing not only the behavior of a typical active indirect twotank TES system under transient operating conditions, but also the responses of the entire solar thermal power plant to changing environmental boundary conditions. It is shown that the thermal inertia of the active indirect TES concept is considerable and forms a major obstacle for rapid load changes that are crucial for capturing as much solar energy as possible, and to supply the power block with constant thermal power, independently of the current solar irradiance. Last but not least, the presented models have been developed in a flexible, well-structured and object-oriented way, particularly giving importance to a simulation-platform-independent implementation, which has been accomplished applying Modelica, a multi-purpose physical system modeling language, developed in an international effort in order to unify already existing similar modeling approaches, and to enable developed models and model libraries to be easily exchanged. Modelica's concept is based on non-causal models featuring true ordinary differential and algebraic equations.Programa Oficial de Doctorado en Ingeniería y Arquitectura (RD 1393/2007)Ingeniaritzako eta Arkitekturako Doktoretza Programa Ofiziala (ED 1393/2007

The effects of regional insolation differences upon advanced solar thermal electric power plant performance and energy costs

The performance and cost of the 10 MWe advanced solar thermal electric power plants sited in various regions of the continental United States were determined. The regional insolation data base is discussed. A range for the forecast cost of conventional electricity by region and nationally over the next several cades are presented

The effects of regional insolation differences upon advanced solar thermal electric power plant performance and energy costs

The performance and cost of four 10 MWe advanced solar thermal electric power plants sited in various regions of the continental United States was studied. Each region has different insolation characteristics which result in varying collector field areas, plant performance, capital costs and energy costs. The regional variation in solar plant performance was assessed in relation to the expected rise in the future cost of residential and commercial electricity supplied by conventional utility power systems in the same regions. A discussion of the regional insolation data base is presented along with a description of the solar systems performance and costs. A range for the forecast cost of conventional electricity by region and nationally over the next several decades is given

Low-Concentration Solar-Power Systems Based on Organic Rankine Cycles for Distributed-Scale Applications: Overview and Further Developments

This paper is concerned with the emergence and development of low-to-medium-grade thermal-energy-conversion systems for distributed power generation based on thermo- dynamic vapor-phase heat-engine cycles undergone by organic working uids, namely organic Rankine cycles (ORCs). ORC power systems are, to some extent, a relatively established and mature technology that is well-suited to converting low/medium-grade heat (at temperatures up to ~300–400°C) to useful work, at an output power scale from a few kilowatts to 10s of megawatts. Thermal ef ciencies in excess of 25% are achievable at higher temperatures and larger scales, and efforts are currently in progress to improve the overall economic viability and thus uptake of ORC power systems, by focusing on advanced architectures, working- uid selection, heat exchangers and expansion machines. Solar-power systems based on ORC technology have a signi cant potential to be used for distributed power generation, by converting thermal energy from simple and low-cost non-concentrated or low-concentration collectors to mechanical, hydrau- lic, or electrical energy. Current elds of use include mainly geothermal and biomass/ biogas, as well as the recovery and conversion of waste heat, leading to improved energy ef ciency, primary energy (i.e., fuel) use and emission minimization, yet the technology is highly transferable to solar-power generation as an affordable alternative to small-to- medium-scale photovoltaic systems. Solar-ORC systems offer naturally the advantages of providing a simultaneous thermal-energy output for hot water provision and/or space heating, and the particularly interesting possibility of relatively straightforward onsite (thermal) energy storage. Key performance characteristics are presented, and important heat transfer effects that act to limit performance are identi ed as noteworthy directions of future research for the further development of this technology

Index to 1984 NASA Tech Briefs, volume 9, numbers 1-4

Short announcements of new technology derived from the R&D activities of NASA are presented. These briefs emphasize information considered likely to be transferrable across industrial, regional, or disciplinary lines and are issued to encourage commercial application. This index for 1984 Tech B Briefs contains abstracts and four indexes: subject, personal author, originating center, and Tech Brief Number. The following areas are covered: electronic components and circuits, electronic systems, physical sciences, materials, life sciences, mechanics, machinery, fabrication technology, and mathematics and information sciences

A study of solar power implementation business model options for Grand Junction, Colorado

This dissertation analyzed three solar power implementation business models that would transfer the burden of capital, operational, and maintenance costs from an individual to an entity with available funding. Solar power has long been touted as an emissions free and environmentally friendly alternative to more conventional forms of energy, such as coal. Most of Colorado’s electricity is generated from coal-fired power plants. To combat climate change and reduce health risks, Colorado has implemented a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) requiring that 30% of electricity produced in 2020 come from a renewable resource, such as solar. Of this, three percent must derive from distributed generation (DG). Grand Junction is a large town located on the western slope of Colorado that receives over 300 days of sunshine per annum. In the ongoing effort to satisfy Colorado’s RPS, this dissertation identifies and examines: Grand Junction’s solar resource potential; various solar technologies; their attributes, environmental impacts, and advantages/disadvantages of a solar power plant, rooftop solar leasing program, and a third party solar power purchase agreement (SPPA). It then compares each solar power implementation business model options’ attributes and analyzes how each will contribute to Colorado’s RPS, the reduction of greenhouse gases (GHGs), to satisfying a portion of Grand Junction’s electricity demand in 2020

Solar thermal technology evaluation, fiscal year 1982. Volume 2: Technical

The technology base of solar thermal energy is investigated. The materials, components, subsystems, and processes capable of meeting specific energy cost targets are emphasized, as are system efficiency and reliability

Project LOCOST: Laser or Chemical Hybrid Orbital Space Transport

A potential mission in the late 1990s is the servicing of spacecraft assets located in GEO. The Geosynchronous Operations Support Center (GeoShack) will be supported by a space transfer vehicle based at the Space Station (SS). The vehicle will transport cargo between the SS and the GeoShack. A proposed unmanned, laser or chemical hybrid orbital space transfer vehicle (LOCOST) can be used to efficiently transfer cargo between the two orbits. A preliminary design shows that an unmanned, laser/chemical hybrid vehicle results in the fuel savings needed while still providing fast trip times. The LOCOST vehicle receives a 12 MW laser beam from one Earth orbiting, solar pumped, iodide Laser Power Station (LPS). Two Energy Relay Units (ERU) provide laser beam support during periods of line-of-sight blockage by the Earth. The baseline mission specifies a 13 day round trip transfer time. The ship's configuration consist of an optical train, one hydrogen laser engine, two chemical engines, a 18 m by 29 m box truss, a mission-flexible payload module, and propellant tanks. Overall vehicle dry mass is 8,000 kg. Outbound cargo mass is 20,000 kg, and inbound cargo mass is 6,000 kg. The baseline mission needs 93,000 kg of propellants to complete the scenario. Fully fueled, outbound mission mass is 121,000 kg. A regeneratively cooled, single plasma, laser engine design producing a maximum of 768 N of thrust is utilized along with two traditional chemical engines. The payload module is designed to hold 40,000 kg of cargo, though the baseline mission specifies less. A proposed design of a laser/chemical hybrid vehicle provides a trip time and propellant efficient means to transport cargo from the SS to a GeoShack. Its unique, hybrid propulsion system provides safety through redundancy, allows baseline missions to be efficiently executed, while still allowing for the possibility of larger cargo transfers