Experimental Study of a Solar Thermal Desalination Unit

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Abutayeh ◽  
Mohammad Humood ◽  
Ammar Abdulkarim Alsheghri ◽  
Abdullah Jamal Al Hammadi ◽  
Abdul Rahman Farraj

Scarcity of potable water causes a serious problem in arid regions of the world where freshwater is becoming insufficient and expensive. Warm regions in the Middle East and North Africa are considered among the severest water shortage places. The objective of this project is to study the potential of using solar energy to run existing multi-stage flash (MSF) desalination units in the Arabian Gulf. One problem with MSF is the low efficiency of the system because of the bulk energy required for heating. Exploitation of solar energy in thermal desalination processes is a promising technology because of the ubiquitous nature of sun’s energy. Experimental studies were conducted on a single flash desalination unit. The pilot unit demonstrates the use of solar radiation as the thermal energy input. The process starts by preheating seawater through a vacuumed condenser. Seawater, then, flows inside a circulation tank to be indirectly heated by a heat transfer fluid. The heat transfer fluid circulates inside a flat plate solar collector facing south to absorb solar energy. After raising its temperature, seawater goes through an expansion valve and flashes in a vacuumed chamber to form brine and vapor. The vapor transfers to the condenser and condenses to form potable water by losing its latent heat of vaporization to incoming seawater. The flow rate of the working fluid is controlled via a control valve based on a set point temperature reference. The experiments were carried out using different values of the controlling variables to enhance analysis and validate results.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. P. Dhanishk ◽  
P. Selvakumar ◽  
V. Ashwin ◽  
P. N. ArunKumar

2000 ◽  
Vol 402 ◽  
pp. 382-382
Author(s):  
Nobuhide Kasagi

The Nusselt–Reynolds Prize has been established by the Assembly of World Conferences to commemorate outstanding contributions by Wilhelm Nusselt and Osborne Reynolds as experimentalists, researchers, educators, and authors. As many as three prizes may be bestowed at every World Conference, one in each of the areas of heat transfer, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, or any combination of these.The prize will be bestowed for outstanding scientific and engineering contributions and eminent achievements in the fields of heat transfer, fluid mechanics, and thermodynamics through (1) experimental studies and analytical/numerical extension of the measurements, (2) development of experimental techniques, visualization techniques, and/or instrumentation, and/or (3) development of design theory (that needs experimental data) and theory-based experimental correlations. These contributions should yield a deeper insight into physical phenomena involved or should yield significant technological advances. In addition to research, the awardee(s) should have made outstanding contributions to the field through teaching, design, or a combination of such activities. The prize is based on achievement through publications or through the application of the science or art. Nationality, age, sex, and society membership will not be considered when evaluating qualifications of candidates. A candidate must be living at the time of designation as a recipient of the prize.The prize consists of a bronze plaque, and engrossed certificate, and an honorarium. The prize is administered by the Prize Board. The deadline for accepting nominations for the Prize is February 2, 2000. The prize will be awarded at the Fifth World Conference during September 24–28, 2001 in Thessaloniki, Greece where the prize winners will also present plenary lectures on their subjects.Nominators can obtain further information and download the nomination form from a webpage at http://www.thtlab.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/N-Rprize.html/.


Author(s):  
Huayi Feng ◽  
Yanping Zhang ◽  
Chongzhe Zou

In this paper, a 3-D numerical model is proposed to investigate the capability of generating high operating temperature for a modified solar cavity receiver in large-scale dish Stirling system. The proposed model aims to evaluate the influence of radiation intensity on the cavity receiver performance. The properties of the heat transfer fluid in the pipe and heat transfer losses of the receiver are investigated by varying the direct normal irradiance from 400W/m2 to 1000W/m2. The temperature of heat transfer fluid, as well as the effect of radiation intensity on the heat transfer losses have been critically presented and discussed. The simulation results reveal that the heat transfer fluid temperature and thermal efficiency of the receiver are significantly influenced by different radiation flux. With the increase of radiation intensity, the efficiency of the receiver will firstly increase, then drops after reaching the highest point. The outlet working fluid temperature of the pipe will be increased consistently. The results of the simulations show that the designed cylindrical receiver used in dish Stirling system is capable to achieve the targeted outlet temperature and heat transfer efficiency, with an acceptable pressure drop.


Author(s):  
Navdeep Singh Dhillon

Abstract The heterogeneous boiling of liquids on hot surfaces, despite its importance, is an extremely complicated and murky phenomenon. It involves the random probabilistic nucleation of multiple bubbles whose growth, interaction, and departure, further, depends on processes involving heat transfer, fluid flow, and interfacial phenomena. This, and the random tumultuous nature of boiling makes experimental studies of the process extremely difficult. For achieving a phenomenological understanding of boiling, several researchers have relied on experiments involving artificially generated bubbles on solid surfaces. In this paper, we evaluate these methods of artificial bubble generation and explore how closely they replicate actual heterogeneous boiling conditions experienced by bubbles. Based on this, we assess the suitability of these methods for conducting phenomenological boiling studies, and identify their potential advantages and drawbacks.


Inventions ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 14
Author(s):  
Messaoud Badache ◽  
Zine Aidoun ◽  
Parham Eslami-Nejad ◽  
Daniela Blessent

Compared to conventional ground heat exchangers that require a separate pump or othermechanical devices to circulate the heat transfer fluid, ground coupled thermosiphons or naturallycirculating ground heat exchangers do not require additional equipment for fluid circulation in theloop. This might lead to a better overall efficiency and much simpler operation. This paper providesa review of the current published literature on the different types of existing ground coupledthermosiphons for use in applications requiring moderate and low temperatures. Effort has beenfocused on their classification according to type, configurations, major designs, and chronologicalyear of apparition. Important technological findings and characteristics are provided in summarytables. Advances are identified in terms of the latest device developments and innovative conceptsof thermosiphon technology used for the heat transfer to and from the soil. Applications arepresented in a novel, well-defined classification in which major ground coupled thermosiphonapplications are categorized in terms of medium and low temperature technologies. Finally,performance evaluation is meticulously discussed in terms of modeling, simulations, parametric,and experimental studies.


2018 ◽  
Vol 140 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bugra Sarper ◽  
Mehmet Saglam ◽  
Orhan Aydin

In this study, convective heat transfer in a discretely heated parallel-plate vertical channel which simulates an IC package is investigated experimentally and numerically. Both natural and mixed convection cases are considered. The primary focus of the study is on determining optimum relative lengths of the heat sources in order to reduce the hot spot temperature and to maximize heat transfer from the sources to air. Various values of the length ratio and the modified Grashof number (for the natural convection case)/the Richardson number (for the mixed convection case) are examined. Conductive and radiative heat transfer is included in the analysis while air is used as the working fluid. Surface temperatures of the heat sources and the channel walls are measured in the experimental study. The numerical studies are performed using a commercial CFD code, ANSYS fluent. The variations of surface temperature, hot spot temperature, Nusselt number, and global conductance of the system are obtained for varying values of the working parameters. From the experimental studies, it is showed that the use of identical heat sources reduces the overall cooling performance both in natural and mixed convection. However, relatively decreasing heat sources lengths provides better cooling performance.


Author(s):  
Brian Janke ◽  
Thomas Kuehn

Thermodynamic analysis has been conducted for geothermal power cycles using a portion of deep ground sequestered CO2 as the working fluid. This allows energy production from much shallower depths and in geologic areas with much lower temperature gradients than those of current geothermal systems. Two different system designs were analyzed for power production with varying reservoir parameters, including reservoir depth, temperature, and CO2 mass flow rate. The first design is a direct single-loop system with the CO2 run directly through the turbine. This system was found to provide higher system efficiency and power production, however design complications such as the need for high pressure turbines, two-phase flow through the turbine and the potential for water-CO2 brine mixtures, could require the use of numerous custom components, driving up the cost. The second design is a binary system using CO2 as the heat transfer fluid to supply thermal energy to an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC). While this system was found to have slightly less power production and efficiency than the direct system, it significantly reduces the impact of design complications associated with the direct system. This in turn reduces the necessity for certain custom components, thereby reducing system cost. While performance of these two systems is largely dependent on location and operating conditions, the binary system is likely applicable to a larger number of sites and will be more cost effective when used in combination with current off-the-shelf ORC power plants.


Author(s):  
Yiding Cao

This paper introduces separate-type heat pipe (STHP) based solar receiver systems that enable more efficient operation of concentrated solar power plants without relying on a heat transfer fluid. The solar receiver system may consist of a number of STHP modules that receive concentrated solar flux from a solar collector system, spread the high concentrated solar flux to a low heat flux level, and effectively transfer the received heat to the working fluid of a heat engine to enable a higher working temperature and higher plant efficiency. In general, the introduced STHP solar receiver has characteristics of high heat transfer capacity, high heat transfer coefficient in the evaporator to handle a high concentrated solar flux, non-condensable gas release mechanism, and lower costs. The STHP receiver in a solar plant may also integrate the hot/cold tank based thermal energy storage system without using a heat transfer fluid.


Author(s):  
Wafaa Karaki ◽  
Jon T. Van Lew ◽  
Peiwen Li ◽  
Cho Lik Chan ◽  
Jake Stephens

Parabolic trough power systems utilizing concentrated solar energy have proven their worth as a means for generating electricity. However, one major aspect preventing the technologies widespread acceptance is the deliverability of energy beyond a narrow window during peak hours of the sun. Thermal storage is a viable option to enhance the dispatchability of the solar energy and an economically feasible option is a thermocline storage system with a low-cost filler material. Utilization of thermocline storage facilities have been studied in the past and this paper hopes to expand upon that knowledge. The heat transfer between the heat transfer fluid and filler materials are governed by two conservation of energy equations, often referred as Schumann [1] equations. We solve these two coupled partial differential equations using Laplace transformation. The initial temperature distribution can be constant, linear or exponential. This flexibility allows us to apply the model to simulate unlimited charging and discharging cycles, similar to a day-to-day operation. The analytical model is used to investigate charging and discharging processes, and energy storage capacity. In an earlier paper [2], the authors presented numerical solution of the Schumann equations using method of characteristics. Comparison between analytical and numerical results shows that they are in very good agreement.


Author(s):  
Andrea Giostri ◽  
Claudio Saccilotto ◽  
Paolo Silva ◽  
Ennio Macchi ◽  
Giampaolo Manzolini

The paper deals with the development and testing of an innovative code for the performance prediction of solar trough based CSP plants in off-design conditions. The code is developed in MS Visual Basic 6.0 with Excel as user interface. The proposed code originates from a previously presented algorithm for on-design sizing and cost estimation of the solar field lay-out, as well as of the main components of the plant, including connecting piping and the steam cycle. Off-design calculation starts from data obtained through the on-design algorithm and considers steady-state situations. Both models are implemented in the same software, named PATTO (PArabolic Trough Thermodynamic Optimization), which is very flexible: the optical-thermal model of collectors can simulate different kinds of parabolic trough systems in commerce, including a combination of various mirrors, receivers and supports. The code is also flexible in terms of working fluid, temperature and pressure range, and can also simulate direct steam generation plants (DSG). Regarding the power block, a conventional steam cycle with super-heater, eventually a re-heater section, and up to seven regenerative bleedings is adopted. The off-design model calculates thermal performance of collectors taking into account proper correlations for convective heat transfer coefficients, considering also boiling regime in DSG configurations. Solar plant heat and mass balances and performances at off-design conditions are estimated by accounting for the constraints imposed by the available heat transfer areas in heat exchangers and condenser, as well as the characteristic curve of the steam turbine. The numerical model can be used for a single calculation in a specific off-design condition, as well as for a whole year estimation of energy balances with an hourly resolution. The model is tested towards real applications and reference values found in literature; in particular, focusing on SEGS VI plant in the USA and SAM® code. Annual energy balances with ambient condition taken from TMY3 database are obtained, showing good accuracy of predicted performances. The code potentiality in the design process reveals twofold: it can be used for plant optimization in feasibility studies; moreover it is useful to find the best control strategy of a plant, especially the mass flow of heat transfer fluid in each operating condition.


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