Modeling On/Off-Design Performance of Solar Tower Plants Using Saturated Steam

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Colzi ◽  
S. Petrucci ◽  
G. Manzolini ◽  
R. Chacartegui ◽  
P. Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Steam Generator ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Steam Pressure ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Live Steam ◽  
Saturated Steam ◽  
Critical Element ◽  
Mass Balances ◽  
Steam Generation ◽  
Ambient Conditions

This works presents a model for the performance prediction of concentrating solar tower plants using saturated live steam at on and off-design. For solar tower plants, the most important and critical element is the steam generator that, in this model, is supposed to produce saturated steam. The solar receiver is thus assumed to comprise several panels, each one of which is formed by a number of pipes. Given some boundary and initial conditions, heat and mass balances for the plant at any rated conditions can be obtained. Off-design operation is then defined by a modified map of the radiative heat flow onto the panels, though other operating conditions featuring new ambient conditions or abnormal operation of the plant can be simulated as well. As a result, a new set of heat and mass balances and performance data — efficiency, steam generation, live steam pressure and temperature, bleed pressures — are obtained. The developed model demonstrates its functionality during the design process in three ways. On one hand it allows to calculate and optimize the performance of the plant at rated conditions, developing a sensitivity analysis of the parameters involved. On the other hand, various off-design conditions can be studied and, consequently, it is possible to carry out a long term — for instance yearly — thermodynamic and economical analysis. Finally, it allows detecting undesirable operating conditions of one or more components that could eventually lead to a not admissible operation of the plant: for example a too high vapor fraction in the steam generator, a too low deaerator pressure, cavitation of pumps or other situations that are not appropriate for the steam turbine.

Performance Analysis of Direct Steam Generation-Central Receiver Systems

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javier Sanz-Bermejo ◽  
José Gonzalez-Aguilar ◽  
Manuel Romero
Keyword(s):  
Power Plants ◽  
Superheated Steam ◽  
System Analysis ◽  
Live Steam ◽  
Saturated Steam ◽  
Steam Generation ◽  
Central Receiver ◽  
Power Block ◽  
Direct Steam ◽  
Solar Field

This work presents a comparative study between direct steam generation central receiver solar power plants working at live steam conditions similar to those found in commercial plants. PS10 and PS20 by Abengoa Solar use a single-receiver, producing saturated steam, whereas Sierra SunTower by e-Solar and Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System (ISEGS) by BrightSource use dual-receiver technology producing superheated steam. The system analysis includes individual studies for each subsystem: solar field, receiver and Rankine power block; as well as the overall-analysis of a 66.7 MWth plant. PS10 working conditions were analysed with and without intermediate reheat step. It was assumed that Sierra SunTower-configuration has non-reheat turbine and Ivanpah-cycle includes an intermediate reheat step. The reheat process in PS10 configuration was performed using a fraction of live steam coming from the receiver; while for Ivanpah-configuration exhaust steam from high pressure turbine stage was sent back to the superheated steam section of the dual-receiver. These concepts make possible to avoid hybridisation and assure special regimes (such as Spanish feed-in tariff). The analysis of the heliostat field for dual-receiver concepts reveals that the aiming strategy on the absorbers has not relevant influence on optical performances. However, receiver efficiency decreased from 91.9%, working with saturated steam, to 87.86–84.14% working with superheated steam related to operating temperatures and heat exchange surface area. This study reveals that the improvement achieved in the power block under Ivanpah configuration was able to compensate higher thermal losses at the receiver, increasing net power production by 25.5% compared with saturated steam conditions.

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

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephan Koch ◽  
Markus Eck ◽  
Tobias Hirsch
Keyword(s):  
Mass Flow ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Solar Thermal ◽  
Saturated Steam ◽  
Steam Generation ◽  
Parabolic Trough ◽  
Steam Quality ◽  
Control Approach ◽  
Power Block ◽  
Solar Field

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.

Could biomass-fueled boilers be operated at higher steam temperatures? Part 3: Initial analysis of costs and benefits

TAPPI Journal ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 65-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
W.B.A. (SANDY) SHARP ◽  
W.J. JIM FREDERICK ◽  
JAMES R. KEISER ◽  
DOUGLAS L. SINGBEIL
Keyword(s):  
Flue Gas ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Superheated Steam ◽  
Black Liquor ◽  
Simulation Software ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Costs And Benefits ◽  
Steam Generation ◽  
Fireside Corrosion ◽  
Corrosion Resistant

The efficiencies of biomass-fueled power plants are much lower than those of coal-fueled plants because they restrict their exit steam temperatures to inhibit fireside corrosion of superheater tubes. However, restricting the temperature of a given mass of steam produced by a biomass boiler decreases the amount of power that can be generated from this steam in the turbine generator. This paper examines the relationship between the temperature of superheated steam produced by a boiler and the quantity of power that it can generate. The thermodynamic basis for this relationship is presented, and the value of the additional power that could be generated by operating with higher superheated steam temperatures is estimated. Calculations are presented for five plants that produce both steam and power. Two are powered by black liquor recovery boilers and three by wood-fired boilers. Steam generation parameters for these plants were supplied by industrial partners. Calculations using thermodynamics-based plant simulation software show that the value of the increased power that could be generated in these units by increasing superheated steam temperatures 100°C above current operating conditions ranges between US$2,410,000 and US$11,180,000 per year. The costs and benefits of achieving higher superheated steam conditions in an individual boiler depend on local plant conditions and the price of power. However, the magnitude of the increased power that can be generated by increasing superheated steam temperatures is so great that it appears to justify the cost of corrosion-mitigation methods such as installing corrosion-resistant materials costing far more than current superheater alloys; redesigning biomassfueled boilers to remove the superheater from the flue gas path; or adding chemicals to remove corrosive constituents from the flue gas. The most economic pathways to higher steam temperatures will very likely involve combinations of these methods. Particularly attractive approaches include installing more corrosion-resistant alloys in the hottest superheater locations, and relocating the superheater from the flue gas path to an externally-fired location or to the loop seal of a circulating fluidized bed boiler.

Validation of On-line Respiration Meter and its Applications by Computer Simulation

1992 ◽  
Vol 26 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 1355-1363 ◽  
Author(s):  
C-W. Kim ◽  
H. Spanjers ◽  
A. Klapwijk
Keyword(s):  
Steady State ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Respiration Rate ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Mass Balances ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Respiration Rates ◽  
On Line ◽  
Made In

An on-line respiration meter is presented to monitor three types of respiration rates of activated sludge and to calculate effluent and influent short term biochemical oxygen demand (BODst) in the continuous activated sludge process. This work is to verify if the calculated BODst is reliable and the assumptions made in the course of developing the proposed procedure were acceptable. A mathematical model and a dynamic simulation program are written for an activated sludge model plant along with the respiration meter based on mass balances of BODst and DO. The simulation results show that the three types of respiration rate reach steady state within 15 minutes under reasonable operating conditions. As long as the respiration rate reaches steady state the proposed procedure calculates the respiration rate that is equal to the simulated. Under constant and dynamic BODst loading, the proposed procedure is capable of calculating the effluent and influent BODst with reasonable accuracy.

Optimization of a Sintering Waste Heat Power Unit

2014 ◽  
Vol 1008-1009 ◽  
pp. 897-900
Author(s):  
Xue Min Gong ◽  
Jiu Lin Yang ◽  
Chen Wang
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Power Unit ◽  
Waste Heat ◽  
Steam Pressure ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Parameters Optimization ◽  
Heat Power ◽  
Optimal Value ◽  
Generation Capacity ◽  
Main Steam

An optimization was performed for a sintering waste heat power unit with all data obtained in the site and under the unit normal operating conditions. The physical and mathematical model for the process of cooling and generation is established, which makes the net power generation as an objective function of the cooling machine imported ventilation, the thickness of sinter and the main steam pressure. Optimizing for single parameter, we found that each parameter had an optimal value for the system. In order to further optimize the system's operating parameters, genetic algorithm was used to make the combinatorial optimization of the three parameters. Optimization results show that power generation capacity per ton is increased by13.10%, and net power generation is increased by 16.17%. The optimization is instructive to the operation of sintering waste heat power unit.

Numerical and Experimental Investigation of Interface Bonding Via Substrate Remelting of an Impinging Molten Metal Droplet

1996 ◽  
Vol 118 (1) ◽  
pp. 164-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. H. Amon ◽  
K. S. Schmaltz ◽  
R. Merz ◽  
F. B. Prinz
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Numerical Model ◽  
Molten Metal ◽  
Thermal Stresses ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Metal Droplet ◽  
Solid Substrate ◽  
Numerical Results ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Analytical Approaches

A molten metal droplet landing and bonding to a solid substrate is investigated with combined analytical, numerical, and experimental techniques. This research supports a novel, thermal spray shape deposition process, referred to as microcasting, capable of rapidly manufacturing near netshape, steel objects. Metallurgical bonding between the impacting droplet and the previous deposition layer improves the strength and material property continuity between the layers, producing high-quality metal objects. A thorough understanding of the interface heat transfer process is needed to optimize the microcast object properties by minimizing the impacting droplet temperature necessary for superficial substrate remelting, while controlling substrate and deposit material cooling rates, remelt depths, and residual thermal stresses. A mixed Lagrangian–Eulerian numerical model is developed to calculate substrate remelting and temperature histories for investigating the required deposition temperatures and the effect of operating conditions on remelting. Experimental and analytical approaches are used to determine initial conditions for the numerical simulations, to verify the numerical accuracy, and to identify the resultant microstructures. Numerical results indicate that droplet to substrate conduction is the dominant heat transfer mode during remelting and solidification. Furthermore, a highly time-dependent heat transfer coefficient at the droplet/substrate interface necessitates a combined numerical model of the droplet and substrate for accurate predictions of the substrate remelting. The remelting depth and cooling rate numerical results are also verified by optical metallography, and compare well with both the analytical solution for the initial deposition period and the temperature measurements during droplet solidification.

Inlet Air Cooling Applied to Combined Cycle Power Plants: Influence of Site Climate and Thermal Storage Systems

2008 ◽  
Vol 130 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Palestra ◽  
Giovanna Barigozzi ◽  
Antonio Perdichizzi
Keyword(s):  
Power Output ◽  
Parametric Analysis ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Cooling System ◽  
Thermal Storage ◽  
Combined Cycle ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Air Cooling ◽  
Ambient Conditions ◽  
Cooling Systems

The paper presents the results of an investigation on inlet air cooling systems based on cool thermal storage, applied to combined cycle power plants. Such systems provide a significant increase of electric energy production in the peak hours; the charge of the cool thermal storage is performed instead during the night time. The inlet air cooling system also allows the plant to reduce power output dependence on ambient conditions. A 127MW combined cycle power plant operating in the Italian scenario is the object of this investigation. Two different technologies for cool thermal storage have been considered: ice harvester and stratified chilled water. To evaluate the performance of the combined cycle under different operating conditions, inlet cooling systems have been simulated with an in-house developed computational code. An economical analysis has been then performed. Different plant location sites have been considered, with the purpose to weigh up the influence of climatic conditions. Finally, a parametric analysis has been carried out in order to investigate how a variation of the thermal storage size affects the combined cycle performances and the investment profitability. It was found that both cool thermal storage technologies considered perform similarly in terms of gross extra production of energy. Despite this, the ice harvester shows higher parasitic load due to chillers consumptions. Warmer climates of the plant site resulted in a greater increase in the amount of operational hours than power output augmentation; investment profitability is different as well. Results of parametric analysis showed how important the size of inlet cooling storage may be for economical results.

Ambient Condition Effects on NOx and CO Emissions From Process Heaters

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wesley R. Bussman ◽  
Charles E. Baukal
Keyword(s):  
Atmospheric Pressure ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Nox Emissions ◽  
Ambient Conditions ◽  
Fuel Gas ◽  
Natural Draft ◽  
Actual Operating ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Pollution Emissions

Because process heaters are typically located outside, their operation is subject to the weather. Heaters are typically tuned at a given set of conditions; however, the actual operating conditions may vary dramatically from season to season and sometimes even within a given day. Wind, ambient air temperature, ambient air humidity, and atmospheric pressure can all significantly impact the O2 level, which impacts both the thermal efficiency and the pollution emissions from a process heater. Unfortunately, most natural draft process burners are manually controlled on an infrequent basis. This paper shows how changing ambient conditions can considerably impact both CO and NOx emissions if proper adjustments are not made as the ambient conditions change. Data will be presented for a wide range of operating conditions to show how much the CO and NOx emissions can be affected by changes in the ambient conditions for fuel gas fired natural draft process heaters, which are the most common type used in the hydrocarbon and petrochemical industries. Some type of automated burner control, which is virtually non-existent today in this application, is recommended to adjust for the variations in ambient conditions.

New Concept of a Micro Gas Turbine Based Co-Generation Package for Performance Improvement in Practical Use

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenichiro Mochizuki ◽  
Satoshi Shibata ◽  
Umeo Inoue ◽  
Toshiaki Tsuchiya ◽  
Hiroko Sotouchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Steam Generator ◽  
Thermal Efficiency ◽  
Heat Recovery ◽  
Steam Injection ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Market Potential ◽  
Injection System ◽  
Heat Recovery Steam Generator ◽  
Micro Gas Turbine

As the energy consumption has been increasing rapidly in the commercial sector in Japan, the market potential for the micro gas turbine is significant and it will be realized substantially if the thermal efficiency is improved. One of measures is to introduce the steam injection system using the steam generated by the heat recovery steam generator. Steam injection tests have been carried out using a micro gas turbine (Capstone C60). Test results showed that key performance parameters such as power output, thermal efficiency and emissions were improved by the steam injection. The stable operation of micro gas turbine with steam injection was confirmed under various operating conditions. Consequently, a micro gas turbine based co-generation package with steam injection driven by a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) with supplementary firing is proposed.

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