Two procurements within the Industrial Application Experiment Series of the Thermal Power Systems Project are discussed. The first procurement, initiated in April 1980, resulted in an award to the Applied Concepts Corporation for the Capital Concrete Experiment: two Fresnel concentrating collectors will be evaluated in single-unit installations at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory Parabolic Dish Test Site and at Capitol Concrete Products, Topeka, Kansas. The second procurement, initiated in March 1981, is titled, "Thermal System Engineering Experiment B." The objective of the procurement is the rapid deployment of developed parabolic dish collectors

Bluhm, S. A.

English

The deployment of parabolic dish systems into the industrial sector for the purpose of providing users, suppliers, sponsors, and developers with a realistic assessment of system feasibility in selected near-term industrial applications will be accomplished initially through the industrial module experiment and later through additional experiments involving thermal, electric, and combined thermal and electrical systems. The approach is to progress through steps, from single module to multi-module systems, from thermal-only applications to more complex combined thermal and electric applications. The experience of other solar thermal experiments, particularly those involving parabolic dish hardware, will be utilized to the fullest extent possible in experiment planning and implementation

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N8 0 24785
INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION EXPERIMENT SERIES
S. A. Bluhm
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, California
ABSTRACT
This paper presents the objectives and implementation plan for the Industrial
Application Experiment. Series of the Applications Development element of the
Thermal Power Systems Project. The first experiment its the series will be the
Industrial Thermal Module Experiment. The approach to implementing the
experiment is presented and an implementation schedule is provided.
INTRODUCTION
The Industrial Application Experiment Series will accomplish the deployment of
experimental parabolic dish systems into the industrial sector for the purpose
of providing user, supplier, sponsor, and developer with a realistic
assessment of system feasibility in selected near-term industrial
applications. System feasibility, step three in a five step model of the
commercialization process,* is the deployment of technologically-ready
components, properly integrated into working, experimental modules, for
evaluation in user environments. The modules are not mass-produced. However,
the design of the module and components may be compatible with mass production
techniques.
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the Industrial Application Experiment Series are.
1. Verify that selected parabolic dish systems can produce energy from solar
radiation to meet the energy requirements of selected industrial
applications during designated test periods.
2. Determine to what extent the parabolic dish systems can be considered
firm energy resources for the selected industrial applications during
designated test periods.
*	 An adaptation of the commercialization process of the National
Photovoltaic Program, the five step process suggested here consists of
technical feasibility of components, technical readiness of components,
system feasibility, system readiness, and commercial readiness.
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https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19800016292 2020-03-21T18:58:36+00:00Z
3. Characterize the total pt3rformance of the plant (site preparation,
components, subsystems, modules, and plant) as a function of load
characteristics, industrial activities at the site, insolation, weather,
operations and maintenance activities, safety regulations, environmental
regulations, seismic Factors, and legal and socio-technical factors.
4. Identify and understand the failure modes of the selected parabolic dish
systems.
5. Identify and quantify the impact of operating the parabolic dish systems
on the daily operations activities of user personnel and on user manning
requirements.
E.	 Identify and quantify the impact of the installation and operation of the
selected parabolic dish systems.on the local environment.
7. Identify and quantify the impact of the installation and operation of the
selected dish systems on potential acceptance of commercial units by
local industrial officials representing labor and management, local
public officials, and the local public.
8. Provide accurate input data to life-cycle energy cost models, based on
required 0&M activities and energy displacement.
9. Provide feedback to the component and system-level hardware and software
design processes.
IMPLEMENTATION
The implementation of the Industrial Application Experiment Series will be
accomplished initially through the Industrial Thermal. Module Experiment and
later through additional experiments involving thermal, electric, and combined
thermal and electric systems. The approach is to progress through a series of
steps, from single-module to multi-module systems, from thermal-only
applications to more complex combined thermal and electric applications. The
experience of other solar thermal experiments, particularly those involving
parabolic dish hardware, will be utilized to the fullest extent possible in
experiment planning and implementation.
INDUSTRIAL THERMAL MODULE EXPERIMENT
The Industrial Thermal Module Experiment will accomplish the objectives of the
Industrial Application Experiment Series within the limited scope of near-term
thermal applications, small systems size and existing developed hardware. The
experiment will also provide an early stimulus to the collector industry,
primarily through the reduction of risk to potential users and, secondarily,
through the purchasing of hardware by the Government.
182
The uav elements of the approach to the Industrial Thermal Module Experiment
are;
o	 Rapid deployment of existing technology
o	 Small, low cost, low risk experiments
o	 Near-term thermal applications
o	 Industrial user and system suA_p li-iir on contractor team
n	 Industrial sites
o	 Developed hardware
n	 Verification testing of systems required prior to deployment
o	 Involvement of small business
To accomplish the rapid deployment required for this Experiment, implementation
is accelerated in each of the five phases of the plan. In the first phase,
proposal preparation, developed hardware is selected by a prospective
Contractor toam for a thermal application at a particular industrial sate.
The second phase, contractor selection, involves identification of site,
system, fiser, and supplier; the level of verification testing required at the
JPL Parabolic Dish Test Site at Edwards Air Force Base, California, is
negotiated. During the design phase, plant design is completed very soon
after contract award in order to permit the placement of orders for hardware
in FY1980. During the fourth phase, verification testing is accomplished at
the Parabolic Dish Test Site, if required. Three levels of testing at the
Parabolic Dish Test Site may be required:
1. None: System-level testing has already been completed.
2. Minimum: A short (two month) test period is needed. No modification to
the hardware is necessary. The hardware is then qualified for system
feasibility evaluation at the user's site.
3. Maximums Two short test periods are required, the second following
modifications to the hardware to correct problems identified as solvable
through minor modifications (requiring two months of downtime).
At the end of verification testing, a go/no-go decision is made by JPL on
deployment of hardware, based on test findings and the recommendation of the
Contractor. During the fifth phase, the system is installed, checked-out,
tested and evaluated at the user's site. Plant installation during FY1981 is
highly desirable.
Early events in the implementation of the Industrial Thermal Module Experiment
are scheduled as follows:
183
L_J&
1. CHD Announcement
	
February 1980
2. P?P Release	 Second Quarter 1980
Organizations interested in receiving an R1P should contact:
Mr. Karl Koch
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
11800 Oak Grove Dr., MIS 506-1401
Pasadena, Ca 91103
184
I


Industrial application experiment series

r i '  
INDUSTRIAL APPLI CATICN EXPERIMENT SERIES 
S. A. Bluhm 
Je t  P r o p u l s i o n  L a b o r a t o r y  
C a l i f o r n i a  I n s t i t u t e  o f  Technology  
P a s a d e n a ,  C a l i f o r n i a  
ABSTRACT 
T h i s  p a p e r  d i s c u s s e s  two p r o c u r e m e n t s  w i t h i n  t h e  I n d u s t r i a l  A p p l i c a t i o n  
Exper iment  S e r i e s  o f  t h e  JPL Thermal  Power S y s t e m s  P r o j e c t .  The f i r s t  
p r o c u r e m e n t ,  i n i t i a t e d  i n  A p r i l  1980 h a s  r e s u l t e d  i n  a n  award t o  t h e  Appl ied  
Concep ts  C o r p o r a t i o n  f o r  t h e  C a p i  t o 1  C o n c r e t e  Exper  iment :  two F r e s n e i  
c o n c e n t r a t i n g  c o l l e c t o r s  w i l l  be  e v a l u a t e d  i n  s i n g l e - u n i t  i n s t a l l a t i o n s  a t  i h e  
JPL P a r a b o l i c  D i s h  T e s t  S i t e  and a t  C a p i t o l  C o n c r e t e  P r o d u c t s ,  Topeka,  
Kansas .  The second  procurement  w i l l  b e  i n i t i a t e d  i n  March 1981 t h r o u g h  t h e  
r e l e a s e  o f  a n  W P  t i t l e d ,  "Thermal Sys tem E n g i n e e r i n g  E x p e r i m e n t  B. " The 
o b j e c t i v e  o f  t h e  new procurement  is t h e  r a p i d  dep loyment  o f  deve loped  
p a r a b o l i c  d i s h  c o l l e c t o r s .  Two o r  more a w a r d s  a r e  i n t e n d e d .  A t  l e a s t  o n e  
award w i l l  b e  made t o  a  team : n v o l v i n g  s m a l l  b u s i n e s s .  
INTRODUCTION 
The I n d u s t r i a l  Application Experiment  S e r i e s  a s s i s t s  i n d u s t r y - d i r e c t e d  new 
i n i t i a t i v e s  i n  t h e  c o m m e r c i a l i z a t i o n  o f  p a r a b o l i c  d i s h  s y s t t  -. E x p e r i m e n t s  
funded t h r o u g h  t h e  I n d u s t r i a l  S e r i e s  u t i l i z e  i n d u s t r i a l  involve men^ .:? 
e x p e r t i s e  t o  t h e  maximum p o s s i b l e  d e g r e e .  I n d u s t r y  is r e s p m s i b l e  f o r  
p r o p o s i n g  c o l l e c t o r  s y s t e m ,  a p p l i c a t i o n ,  and s i t e .  JPL d o e s  n o t  s p e c i f y  s i te ,  
a p p l i c a t i o n ,  o r  ha rdware .  Each e x p e r i m e n t  r e s u l t s  i n  t h e  d e s i g n ,  f a b r i c a t i o n ,  
v e r i f i c a t i o n  t e s t i n g ,  i n s t a l l a t i o n ,  c h e c k - o u t ,  o p e r a t f o n ,  m a i n t e n a n c e ,  and 
twelve-month e v a l u a t i o n  o f  a  c o l l e c t o r  s y s t e m  p r o v i d i n g  e n e r g v  t o  a  l o a d  a t  a  
u s e r ' s  s i t e .  
The I n d u s t r i a l  A p p l i c a t i o n  Exper iment  S e r i e s '  i n i t i a l  p rocurement  t o o k  p l a c e  
i n  1980 and r e s u l t e d  i n  t h e  award o f  a  c o n t r a c t  t o  A p p l i e d  C o n c e p t s  
C o r p o r a t i o n  f o r  t h e  C a p i t o l  C o n c r e t e  E x p e r i m e n t .  The second  procurement  w i l l  
t a k e  p l a c e  i n  1981. 
T h i s  p a p e r  d i s c u s s e s  t3e f i r s t  p r o c u r e m e n t ,  which r e s u l t e d  i n  t h e  C a p i t o l  
C o n c r e t e  E x p e r i m e n t ,  and p r e s e n t s  t h e  i m p l e m e n t a t i o n  p l a n  o f  t h e  new 
p r o c u r e m e n t ,  t o  be i n i t i a t e d  t h r o u g h  t h e  release o f  a n  RFP i n  March 1981. 
FIRST PROCUREMENT 
JPL r e l e a s e d  an RFP on A p r i l  3,  1980,  f o r  p rocurement  o f  Thermal  Sys tem 
E n g i n e e r i n g  E x p e r i m e n t s .  Proposa1.s were r e c e i v e d  on May 29. One award was 
made i n  December 1980. Al though JPL i n t e n d e d  t o  make m u l t i p l e  a w a r d s  and 
e n t e r e d  i n t o  n e g o t i a t i o n s  w i t h  t h r e e  p r o p o s e r s ,  a  c o m b i n a t i o n  ~f  t e c h n i c a l  and 
c o s t  f a c t o r s  led t o  t h e  d e c i s i o n  t o  make a  s i n g l e  award.  The e x p e r i m e n t  which 
r e s u l t e d  from t h e  f i r s t  Thermal Sys tem E n g i n e e r i n g  Exper iment  p r o c u r e m e n t  is 
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19810022007 2020-03-21T09:45:12+00:00Z
called the Capitol Concrete Experiment. The user, Capitol Concrete Products, 
is a masonry block producer i n  Topeka, Kansas, where the col lec tor  w i l l  be 
operated to provide indust r ia l  process heat (IPH) i n  the form of hot water and 
steam a t  1500C (3020F) for the autoclave curing of concrete blocks. The 
collector manufacturer, Power Kinetics, Incorporated, of Troy, New York, w i l l  
provide one unit for ins ta l la t ion by July 31 a t  the JPL Parabolic Dish Test 
S i t e  fo r  extended ( 1 4  months) verif icat ion test ing and one unit fo r  
ins ta l la t ion by September 30 a t  the Topeka s i t e  for  twelve-month evaluation. 
The plant integrator for  t h i s  experiment is the Applied Concepts Corporation. 
The purpose of the experiment is to prove the system feas ib i l i ty  of the PKI 
Fresnel concentratinp collector in  an operational indust r ia l  enuironment and 
i n  an appl ica t im,  IPH less  than 2900~  (554oF), sui table  to  its 
performance capabil i t ies.  
For more information on the Experiment and the col lec tor ,  the reader is 
referred to other papers submitted to t h i s  conference: "A Fresnel Collector 
Process Heat Experiment a t  Capitol Concrete Products, " and "A Fresnel 
Concentrating Collec tor-Power Kinetics, Incorporated. " 
SECOND PROCUREMENT 
The second procurement i n  the Industr ial  Series w i l l  be in i t i a ted  through the 
"Thermal System Engineering Experiment En RFP to be released i n  March 1981. 
(An announcement of t h i s  RFP has been placed w i t h  the "Commerce Business 
Daily.") 
The objective of the contract is to secure systems and services necessary for 
t h e  planning, implementation and operation of an experiment involving one or 
more parabolic d i s h  solar thermal collectors i r hg ra t ed  w i t h  a load to  
establish the system f ea s ib i l i t y  of a re la t ively  low cost ,  low r isk  system i n  
a near-term application. JPL intends to make two or more awards, including 
one award to a small business. Each proposer should provide a system 
supplier,  a systea integrator,  and a user. 
The preliminary implementation schedule has the following major milestones: 
Release RFP-March 6 ,  1981 ; Receive Proposals-June 2, 1981 ; Award Contracts- 
December 1, 1981; Complete Ins ta l la t ion a t  PDTS and Begin Verification 
Testing-September 1 ,  1982; Complete Ins ta l la t ion a t  Userls S i t e  and Begin 
12-Month Evaluation-January 1 ,  1983; Receive Final Report-May 1 ,  1984. 
Since the first procurement resulted in an award for evaluation of an IPH 
application a t  an application temperature less  than 5500F, it is preferred 
that  the second procurement result  i n  awards for  more complex or higher 
temperature applications. Zxamples of such applications are agr icul tura l  
pumping and processing, air-conditioning, emulsion pumping and processing, 
Enhanced O i l  Recovery, fuel-grade alcohol production, furfura l  production, and 
water treatment and pumping. ( T h i s  list is not intended to  l i m i t  proposers. 
The FFP does not designate specif ic application categories.) 
Users should be performing agr icul tura l ,  commercial, or indust r ia l  functions 
i n  the public or private sector. Laborator-les owned by or operated for the 
Federal government are excluded from part icipation.  


Industrial application experiment series

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