Applicability of Nanofluids in Concentrated Solar Energy Harvesting

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert A. Taylor ◽  
Patrick E. Phelan ◽  
Todd P. Otanicar ◽  
Himanshu Tyagi ◽  
Steven Trimble
Keyword(s):  
Solar Energy ◽  
Thermal Power ◽  
Solar Thermal ◽  
Thermal Systems ◽  
Thermal Plant ◽  
Solar Thermal Power ◽  
Concentrated Solar Energy ◽  
Solar Energy Harvesting ◽  
Improve Heat Transfer ◽  
Solar Resource

Concentrated solar energy is becoming the input for an increasing number of thermal systems [1]. Recent papers have indicated that the addition of nanoparticles to conventional working fluids (i.e. nanofluids) can improve heat transfer and solar collection [2–4]. Thermal models developed herein show that nanofluid collectors can be more efficient than conventional concentrating solar thermal technology. This work indicates that power tower schemes are the best application for taking advantage of potential nanofluid efficiency improvements. This study provides a notional design of how such a nanofluid power tower receiver might be built. Using this type of design, we show a theoretical enhancement in efficiency of up to a 10% by using nanofluids. Further, we compare the energy and revenue generated in a conventional solar thermal plant to a nanofluid one. It was found that a 100MWe capacity solar thermal power tower operating in a solar resource similar to Tucson, AZ could generate ∼$3.5 million more per year by incorporating a nanofluid receiver.

scholarly journals A Research on Various Solar Thermal Power Technologies

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2S11) ◽  
pp. 2152-2155
Keyword(s):  
Power System ◽  
Thermal Power ◽  
Solar Thermal ◽  
Thermal Systems ◽  
Solar Thermal Power ◽  
Criteria For Selection ◽  
Selection Of

Solar thermal electric systems are simplest and hold promise of viability. Solar thermal systems have great similitude with conventional power system. In this paper we present an overview of various solar thermal power technologies to evolve criteria for selection of best systems.

Development and Modification of a Cassegrainian Solar Concentrator for Utilization of Solar Thermal Power

Solar Energy ◽  
2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. A. Stoynov ◽  
Prasad K. D. V. Yarlagadda
Keyword(s):  
Solar Energy ◽  
Experimental Testing ◽  
Thermal Power ◽  
Solar Thermal ◽  
Solar Concentrator ◽  
Beam Focusing ◽  
Solar Thermal Power ◽  
Beam Transmission ◽  
Solar Energy Concentrator ◽  
Almost All

Almost all life on Earth has been using solar energy in many ways, but when high temperatures are desired, concentration of the incident solar radiation (insolation) becomes necessary. The present work is an attempt to improve and experimentally compare alternative beam delivering and focusing energy systems of a small solar concentrator. The researched solar energy concentrator (SEC) facility consists of modified two mirror Cassegrainian solar concentrator, two-speed sun-tracking manual and automatic control, concentrated insolation transmitting and continuous beam focusing systems. A number of system modifications during the development of the two stage, point focusing type solar concentrator arrangement for solar thermal power utilization have also been explored and are reported in this paper. Some of the experimental testing results obtained using single polymer fiber 14 mm in diameter, a truncated conical concentrator, and auxiliary lens system alternatives, have been compared. In addition, some details about various improvements of the sun-tracking sensor and automatics, beam transmission and continuous focusing capabilities of the SEC facility have been described.

scholarly journals The Evaluation of Solar Contribution in Solar Aided Coal-Fired Power Plant

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rongrong Zhai ◽  
Yongping Yang ◽  
Yong Zhu ◽  
Denggao Chen
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Solar Energy ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Evaluation Method ◽  
Thermal Power ◽  
Energy Resource ◽  
Solar Thermal ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Solar Thermal Power

Solar aided coal-fired power plants utilize various types of solar thermal energy for coupling coal-fired power plants by using the characteristics of various thermal needs of the plants. In this way, the costly thermal storage system and power generating system will be unnecessary while the intermittent and unsteady way of power generation will be avoided. Moreover, the large-scale utilization of solar thermal power and the energy-saving aim of power plants will be realized. The contribution evaluating system of solar thermal power needs to be explored. This paper deals with the evaluation method of solar contribution based on the second law of thermodynamics and the principle of thermoeconomics with a case of 600 MW solar aided coal-fired power plant. In this study, the feasibility of the method has been carried out. The contribution of this paper is not only to determine the proportion of solar energy in overall electric power, but also to assign the individual cost components involving solar energy. Therefore, this study will supply the theoretical reference for the future research of evaluation methods and new energy resource subsidy.

Life Cycle Environmental Impacts of Electricity Production by Solarthermal Power Plants in Spain

2008 ◽  
Vol 130 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yolanda Lechón ◽  
Cristina de la Rúa ◽  
Rosa Sáez
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Thermal Power ◽  
Solar Thermal ◽  
Electricity Production ◽  
Thermal Plant ◽  
Solar Thermal Power ◽  
Whole Life Cycle

The objectives of the analysis reported in this paper are to evaluate the environmental impacts of the electricity produced in a 17MW solar thermal plant with central tower technology and a 50MW solar thermal plant with parabolic trough technology, to identify the opportunities to improve the systems in order to reduce their environmental impacts, and to evaluate the environmental impact resulting from compliance with the solar thermal power objectives in Spain. The methodology chosen is the life cycle assessment (LCA), described in the international standard series ISO 14040-43. The functional unit has been defined as the production of 1kWh of electricity. Energy use needed to construct, operate, and dismantle the power plants is estimated. These results are used to calculate the “energy payback time” of these technologies. Results were around 1yr for both power plants. Environmental impacts analyzed include the global warming impacts along the whole life cycle of the power plants, which were around 200g∕kWh generated. Finally, the environmental impacts associated with the compliance of the solar thermal power objectives in Spain were computed. Those figures were then used to estimate the avoided environmental impacts including the potential CO2 emission savings that could be accomplished by these promotion policies. These savings amounted for 634kt of CO2 equiv./yr.

scholarly journals A clustering approach for the analysis of solar energy yields: A case study for concentrating solar thermal power plants

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos M. Fernández Peruchena ◽  
Javier García-Barberena ◽  
María Vicenta Guisado ◽  
Martín Gastón
Keyword(s):  
Solar Energy ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Thermal Power ◽  
Solar Thermal ◽  
Thermal Power Plants ◽  
Solar Thermal Power ◽  
Clustering Approach

Assessment of Generic Solar Thermal Systems for Large Power Applications

1984 ◽  
Vol 106 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-28
Author(s):  
W. J. Apley ◽  
S. P. Bird
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Thermal Power ◽  
Thermal Conversion ◽  
Solar Thermal ◽  
Thermal Systems ◽  
Large Power ◽  
Solar Thermal Power

A comparative analysis of generic solar thermal conversion configurations was performed to evaluate and rank the principal concepts under consideration in the DOE Solar Thermal Power Program. Year-long performance simulations were conducted for the 50- to 200-MWe systems using Barstow, California meteorological and insolation data. Multiattributable utility methodology was used to rank the eleven concepts.

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