Tobias Hirsch

A Direct Steam Generation Solar Power Plant With Integrated Thermal Storage

For the future market potential of parabolic trough power plants with direct steam generation (DSG), it is beneficial to integrate a thermal storage system. Heat storage media based on phase change materials offer heat transfer at constant temperatures needed for the evaporation process. Different options for a plant layout are presented and discussed. The interactions between the three subsystems—solar field, power block, and thermal storage—are analyzed, and boundary conditions arising from the thermal storage system are identified. Compared with a system without storage the number of operating points increases significantly since different combinations of storage charge and discharge operations go along with a varying power output of the solar field. It is shown that the large number of theoretical operating points can be reduced to a subset with practical relevance. Depending on the live steam parameters a reheat is necessary within the power block. Compared with parabolic trough fields with a single phase heat transfer medium such as oil, a special heat exchanger configuration is needed for a DSG plant. Different alternatives based on available technologies are presented and evaluated.

Advancements in the Field of Direct Steam Generation in Linear Solar Concentrators—A Review

Direct steam generation in parabolic trough or linear Fresnel collectors represents one interesting technological option for concentrating solar electricity production. Todays state of the art characterized by the first commercial plants in operation is a result of more than 20 years of intensive research on this topic. This article provides a review on the key results from research that includes physical effects like heat transfer and pressure drop in horizontal boiler tubes, plant layout considerations, and thermal storage options. An overview on test and demonstration facilities as well as on commercial plants is given, leading to an outlook on the next generation of direct steam generation systems.

Techno-economic analysis of combined concentrating solar power and desalination plant configurations in Israel and Jordan

Abstract Combined concentrating solar power (CSP) and desalination plants represent a realistic future option for the production of electricity and fresh water for countries of the world’s sunbelt. In this paper, parabolic trough power plants for electricity production have been analysed in combination with multi-effect distillation (MED) and ultrafiltration/reverse osmosis (RO) desalination plants for two sites in Israel (Ashdod) and Jordan (Aqaba). Both RO and MED desalination plants were designed for a fresh water production capacity of 24,000 m3/d. The power block of the CSP plant was selected to meet the steam consumption of the MED plant at the design point, which led to a gross electrical power generation capacity of the power block of 42 MWel. Due to the low availability and generally high cost of coastal land, the CSPu2009+u2009RO plant consists of two separate units. It was assumed that the CSP plant is located at an inland location where there is land available. The RO plant is located at the sea, whil...

Field Test of Water-Steam Separators for Direct Steam Generation in Parabolic Troughs

Direct steam generation (DSG) represents a promising option to improve todays parabolic trough technology for solar thermal power generation. The European DISS and INDITEP projects have proven the feasibility of the DSG process under real solar conditions at the DISS test facility at the Plataforma Solar de Almeria (PSA) (Zarza, E., Valenzuela, L., Leon, J., Hennecke, K., Eck, M., Weyers, H.-D., Eickhoff, M., 2004, Direct Steam Generation in Parabolic Troughs Final Results and Conslusions of the DISS Project, Energy, 29, pp. 635―644). These projects have also shown that the recirculation mode is the preferred operation mode for DSG collector fields. This concept requires water-steam separators at the end of the evaporation section of the collector loop. Both compact water-steam separators for every single row or huge separation drums for the whole collector field are considered. Small compact water-steam separators show a lower inertia, reducing the time for start-up. Within INDITEP and the German R&D project SOLDI compact water-steam separators have been developed, manufactured, and tested by DLR and Siemens, with its subcontractor Framatome ANP. Prototypes of a cyclone and a baffle separator have been implemented into the DISS test facility. More than 200 tests have been performed to investigate the separation efficiency, the pressure loss, and the performance under transient conditions. This paper focuses on the steady-state tests.

Simulation of thermal fluid dynamics in parabolic trough receiver tubes with direct steam generation using the computer code ATHLET

Abstract In the present feasibility study the system code ATHLET, which originates from nuclear engineering, is applied to a parabolic trough test facility. A model of the DISS (DIrect Solar Steam) test facility at Plataforma Solar de Almería in Spain is assembled and the results of the simulations are compared to measured data and the simulation results of the Modelica library “DissDyn”. A profound comparison between ATHLET Mod 3.0 Cycle A and the “DissDyn” library reveals the capabilities of these codes. The calculated mass and energy balance in the ATHLET simulations are in good agreement with the results of the measurements and confirm the applicability for thermodynamic simulations of DSG processes in principle. Supplementary, the capabilities of the 6-equation model with transient momentum balances in ATHLET are used to study the slip between liquid and gas phases and to investigate pressure wave oscillations after a sudden valve closure.

Start-Up Modeling for Annual CSP Yield Calculations

In solar thermal power plants, at least the solar part undergoes a daily start-up process. nSince duration and energy consumption of the start-up depend on irradiance and ntemperature boundary conditions, differences occur between the individual days and nespecially between the seasons. For a good representation in annual electricity yield ncalculations, the start-up process should be modeled on a daily basis. This paper npresents a closed approach for the calculation of start-up and cool-down in solar thermal npower plants especially designed for annual calculations. It is demonstrated by one nexample how the required parameters can be obtained and how the methodology is napplied. A sensitivity analysis reveals the large impact of start-up consumption on the nannual yield.

Energetic Comparison of Linear Fresnel and Parabolic Trough Collector Systems

Within the last years, Linear Fresnel (LF) collector systems have been developed as a technical alternative to parabolic trough collector (PT) systems. In the past, LF systems focused on low- and medium temperature applications. Nowadays, LF systems equipped with vacuum receivers can be operated at the same temperatures as PT systems. Papers about the technical and economical comparison of specific PT and LF systems have already been published, [1–3]. However, the present paper focuses on the systematic differences in optical and thermodynamic performance and the impact on the economic figures.In a first step the optical performance of typical PT and LF solar fields has been examined, showing the differences during the course of the day and annually. Furthermore, the thermodynamic performance, depending on the operating temperature, has been compared.In a second step, the annual electricity yield of typical PT and LF plants are examined. Solar Salt has been chosen as heat transfer fluid. Both systems utilize the same power block and storage type. Solar field size, storage capacity, and power block electrical power are variable, while all examined configurations achieve the same annual electricity yield. As expected for molten salt systems, both systems are the most cost-effective with large storage capacities. The lower thermodynamic performance of the LF system requires a larger solar field and lower specific costs in order to be competitive. Assuming specific PT field costs of 300 €/m2 aperture, the break-even costs of the LF system with Solar Salt range between 202 and 235 €/m2, depending on the site and storage capacity.Copyright

Modelling and Control of a Solar-Thermal Parabolic Trough DSG Superheater With Several Parallel Rows and Central Steam Separation

In this paper, a solar-thermal parabolic trough power plant with direct steam generation (DSG) is investigated with respect to the controllability of the superheating section in a commercial-scale facility with several parallel collector rows. The plant is operated in recirculation mode which has been proven to provide a good live steam quality under changing operating conditions in single-row systems. In a multiple-row collector field, the separation of the remaining water at the end of the evaporator can be achieved by using one central or several distributed separators. Central separation, which will be investigated in this work, appears to be the superior concept. The article proposes a decentralized adaptive proportional-integral (PI) control approach together with a static output mapping for the control valves at the end of the superheating section. The section is fed by a single saturated steam mass flow which has to be distributed on the parallel superheater rows. Together with the individually controlled injection coolers in each row, the distribution control enables the solar field to provide the power block with a reliable steam temperature in the presence of significant local irradiance and input mass flow transients induced by varying solar intensity during the day and passing clouds.Copyright

Analysis and potential of once-through steam generators in line focus systems – Final results of the DUKE project

The direct steam generation in line focus systems such as parabolic troughs and linear Fresnel collectors is one option for providing ‘solar steam’ or heat. Commercial power plants use the recirculation concept, in which the steam generation is separated from the superheating by a steam drum. This paper analyzes the once-through mode as an advanced solar field concept. It summarizes the results of the DUKE project on loop design, a new temperature control strategy, thermo-mechanical stress analysis, and an overall cost analysis. Experimental results of the temperature control concept at the DISS test facility at Plataforma Solar de Almeria are presented.

Modelling, Simulation and Assessment of Solar Thermal Power Plants: A First Step Towards Definition of Best Practice Approaches

With 620 MWel in operation [1] and more than 2.000 MWel under construction, concentrated solar power (CSP) experiences a renaissance mainly in Spain and the USA, but also in many other countries in the earth’s sunbelt. Due to their large capacity (50 MWel and more) and thus large investment, CSP projects are characterised by an extensive project development process. In several stages of this process, mathematical models of the system predicting its energy yield are required, among others to: • assess single CSP projects (e.g., feasibility or due diligence studies), • compare different CSP concepts (e.g., technology, site), • optimise a project (e.g., solar field size, storage capacity), • investigate the influence of component characteristics (e.g., receiver characteristics), • optimise the operation strategy (e.g., on-line surveillance) or to • assess system performance during commissioning. The models used for these different tasks differ in complexity and accuracy, e.g. the accuracy of a model used for project assessment during commissioning has to be higher than a model used for a pre-feasibility study. At the moment, numerous modelling approaches exist and every project developer uses his own system model and assessment methodology. This confusing situation hinders the acceptance of CSP technology by potential investors. This paper presents a methodology for structuring systems into sub-systems. This is the first step towards a standardized modelling approach for CSP systems. It is not the intention of the authors to present a final model and assessment methodology but to start a broader discussion on this important topic. In fact, it aims at initiating an international working group, devoted to the definition of guidelines for modelling, simulation and assessment of CSP systems, covering all CSP technologies such as solar towers, parabolic troughs, linear Fresnel collectors and solar dishes.Copyright