Modeling and Thermal Performance Analysis of Parabolic trough Solar Field with Single-Axis Tracked

2012 ◽  
Vol 512-515 ◽  
pp. 101-108
Author(s):  
Jian Mao ◽  
Hong Juan Hou ◽  
Ji Feng Song ◽  
Song Gao
Keyword(s):  
Performance Analysis ◽  
Field Performance ◽  
Software Tool ◽  
Solar Irradiation ◽  
Parabolic Trough ◽  
Thermal Output ◽  
Solar Field ◽  
Performance Calculation ◽  
Mathematical Derivation ◽  
Direct Solar Irradiation

In this paper, a model of parabolic trough solar field with single-axis tracked was developed based on detailed mathematical derivation. A software tool is also developed for its performance calculation. By the model and software, the direct solar irradiation (DNI) intercepted by the collectors and the thermal output can be obtained for a given solar field under different tracking mode. To obtain the characters of the solar field performance with different tracking modes and regions, the annual performance of the solar field is evaluated for different sites in China such as Beijing, Lhasa. Besides that, the effect of the space between collector rows on thermal output of a solar field is also discussed.

Annual Yield Analysis of Solar Tower Power Plants With GREENIUS

2011 ◽  
Vol 133 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jürgen Dersch ◽  
Peter Schwarzbözl ◽  
Timo Richert
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Software Tool ◽  
Parabolic Trough ◽  
Concentrating Solar Power ◽  
Solar Field ◽  
Performance Calculation ◽  
Design Power ◽  
Energy Plants ◽  
Renewable Energy Plants

An existing software tool for annual performance calculation of concentrating solar power and other renewable energy plants has been extended to enable the simulation of solar tower power plants. The methodology used is shown and a demonstrative example of a 50 MWe tower plant in southern Spain is given. The influence of design power and latitude on solar field layout is discussed. Furthermore, a comparison of the tower plant with a 50 MWe parabolic trough and a Linear Fresnel plant at the same site is given.

Short-Duration Performance Acceptance Test of Parabolic Trough Solar Field: A Case Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 139 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Elmaihy ◽  
Ahmed El Weteedy
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Steady State ◽  
Short Duration ◽  
Field Performance ◽  
Acceptance Test ◽  
National Renewable Energy Laboratory ◽  
Parabolic Trough ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Technical Specifications ◽  
Solar Field

Extensive solar field performance testing is often required as part of the plant commissioning process in order to ensure that actual solar field performance satisfies both technical specifications and performance guarantees between the involved parties. In this study, short duration (15 min) steady state performance acceptance test for Kuraymat integrated solar combined cycle (ISCC) solar field was carried out in agreement with the general guidelines of the earlier National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) report on parabolic trough (PT) collector fields (Kearney, 2011, “Utility-Scale Parabolic Trough Solar Systems—Performance Acceptance Test Guidelines,” National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, NREL Report No. SR-5500-48895 and Kearney, 2010, “Development of Performance Acceptance Test Guidelines for Large Commercial Parabolic Trough Solar Fields,” National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, NREL Report No. SR-5500-49367) which is in full agreement with the plant documentations provided by FLAGSOL (2010, “Specification: Performance Test Procedure. Plant Documentations,” Customer Doc-ID: KU1-FLG-000-QP-M-001). This work includes measurement of the thermal power output of PT system under clear sky conditions over a short period during which thermal steady state conditions exist. The methodology of the solar field testing is presented while a special consideration is provided for the model formulation and uncertainty associated with the measured data. The measured results together with the associated uncertainties were compared with model predictions. All tests for both northern and a southern collector subfields that satisfy the test conditions are accepted based on acceptance test evaluation criteria.

scholarly journals Modeling of a Parabolic Trough Solar Field for Acceptance Testing: A Case Study

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Wagner ◽  
Mark S. Mehos ◽  
David W. Kearney ◽  
Andrew C. McMahan
Keyword(s):  
Field Performance ◽  
Performance Model ◽  
Acceptance Testing ◽  
Acceptance Test ◽  
Model Formulation ◽  
Parabolic Trough ◽  
Actual Performance ◽  
Technical Specifications ◽  
Solar Field

As deployment of parabolic trough concentrating solar power (CSP) systems ramps up, the need for reliable and robust performance acceptance test guidelines for the solar field is also amplified. Project owners and/or EPC contractors often require extensive solar field performance testing as part of the plant commissioning process in order to ensure that actual solar field performance satisfies both technical specifications and performance guaranties between the involved parties. Performance test code work is currently underway at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in collaboration with the SolarPACES Task-I activity, and within the ASME PTC-52 committee. One important aspect of acceptance testing is the selection of a robust technology performance model. NREL1 has developed a detailed parabolic trough performance model [1] within the SAM software tool [2]. This model is capable of predicting solar field, sub-system, and component performance. It has further been modified for this work to support calculation at sub-hourly time steps. This paper presents the methodology and results of a case study comparing actual performance data for a parabolic trough solar field to the predicted results using the modified SAM trough model. Due to data limitations, the methodology is applied to a single collector loop, though it applies to larger subfields and entire solar fields. Special consideration is provided for the model formulation, improvements to the model formulation based on comparison with the collected data, and uncertainty associated with the measured data. Additionally, this paper identifies modeling considerations that are of particular importance in the solar field acceptance testing process and uses the model to provide preliminary recommendations regarding acceptable steady-state testing conditions at the single-loop level.

Parabolic Trough Optical Performance Analysis Techniques

2006 ◽  
Vol 129 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eckhard Lüpfert ◽  
Klaus Pottler ◽  
Steffen Ulmer ◽  
Klaus-J. Riffelmann ◽  
Andreas Neumann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Performance Analysis ◽  
Ray Tracing ◽  
Flux Measurement ◽  
Parameter Analysis ◽  
Thermal Testing ◽  
Parabolic Trough ◽  
Analysis Techniques ◽  
Solar Field ◽  
Prototype Evaluation ◽  
Acceptance Tests

Analysis of geometry and optical properties of solar parabolic trough collectors uses a number of specific techniques that have demonstrated to be useful tools in prototype evaluation. These are based on photogrammetry, flux mapping, ray tracing, and advanced thermal testing. They can be used to assure the collector quality during construction and for acceptance tests of the solar field. The methods have been applied on EuroTrough collectors, cross checked, and compared. This paper summarizes results in collector shape measurement, flux measurement, ray tracing, and thermal performance analysis for parabolic troughs. It is shown that the measurement methods and the parameter analysis give consistent results. The interpretation of the results and their annual evaluation give hints on identified relevant improvement potentials for the following generation of solar power plant collectors.

Design Point for Predicting Year-Round Performance of Solar Parabolic Trough Concentrator Systems

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Men Wirz ◽  
Matthew Roesle ◽  
Aldo Steinfeld
Keyword(s):  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
Parabolic Trough ◽  
Specific System ◽  
Simple Method ◽  
Operating Condition ◽  
Average Efficiency ◽  
Design Point ◽  
Yearly Average ◽  
Solar Field

Thermal efficiencies of the solar field of two different parabolic trough concentrator (PTC) systems are evaluated for a variety of operating conditions and geographical locations, using a detailed 3D heat transfer model. Results calculated at specific design points are compared to yearly average efficiencies determined using measured direct normal solar irradiance (DNI) data as well as an empirical correlation for DNI. It is shown that the most common choices of operating conditions at which solar field performance is evaluated, such as the equinox or the summer solstice, are inadequate for predicting the yearly average efficiency of the solar field. For a specific system and location, the different design point efficiencies vary significantly and differ by as much as 11.5% from the actual yearly average values. An alternative simple method is presented of determining a representative operating condition for solar fields through weighted averages of the incident solar radiation. For all tested PTC systems and locations, the efficiency of the solar field at the representative operating condition lies within 0.3% of the yearly average efficiency. Thus, with this procedure, it is possible to accurately predict year-round performance of PTC systems using a single design point, while saving computational effort. The importance of the design point is illustrated by an optimization study of the absorber tube diameter, where different choices of operating conditions result in different predicted optimum absorber diameters.

Development of an Innovative Code for the Design of Different Parabolic Trough Solar Fields

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ennio Macchi ◽  
Giampaolo Manzolini ◽  
Paolo Silva
Keyword(s):  
Solar Energy ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Working Fluid ◽  
Fluid Temperature ◽  
Parabolic Trough ◽  
High Solar Radiation ◽  
Power Block ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Solar Field ◽  
Steam Cycle

The role of renewable energies and in particular solar energy could be fundamental in future scenarios of worldwide increase of energy demand: thermodynamic solar energy can play an important role in country with high solar radiation. This paper discusses the development and testing of an innovative code for the prediction of thermodynamic performances at nominal conditions and the estimation of costs of the whole plant, for different parabolic trough solar fields. The code allows a preliminary design of the solar field lay-out, the sizing of the main components of the plant and the optimization of the steam cycle. The code, named PATTO (PArabolic Trough Thermodynamic Optimization), allows to separately calculate the thermal efficiency of (i) parabolic trough systems in commerce as well as (ii) combination of components of various commercial systems, in order to exploit different technology solutions: combination of mirrors, receivers and supports. Using the selected parabolic troughs, the plant configuration is then completed by connecting pipes, heat exchangers, the steam cycle, and storage tanks. The code is also flexible in terms of working fluid, temperature and pressure range. Regarding the power block, a conventional steam cycle with super-heater and re-heater sections and up to seven regenerative bleedings is adopted. It is possible to use also simpler configuration as without re-heater or with less regenerative bleedings. Moreover, thanks to simple or sophisticated economic correlations depending on available data, the code calculates the overall investment cost for the considered solar field and the power block. The code performs steady state analysis at nominal conditions, while future developments are planned regarding part load analysis and transient simulations. The model is tested towards real applications and reference values found in literature; in particular, focusing on SEGS VI plant in the USA. Detailed results showing code potentiality, are presented in terms of solar field and power block energy balances, plant auxiliaries, piping and economic analysis.

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