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Economic optimization of the energy transport component of a large distributed solar power plantA solar thermal power plant with a field of collectors, each locally heating some transport fluid, requires a pipe network system for eventual delivery of energy power generation equipment. For a given collector distribution and pipe network geometry, a technique is herein developed which manipulates basic cost information and physical data in order to design an energy transport system consistent with minimized cost constrained by a calculated technical performance. For a given transport fluid and collector conditions, the method determines the network pipe diameter and pipe thickness distribution and also insulation thickness distribution associated with minimum system cost; these relative distributions are unique. Transport losses, including pump work and heat leak, are calculated operating expenses and impact the total system cost. The minimum cost system is readily selected. The technique is demonstrated on six candidate transport fluids to emphasize which parameters dominate the system cost and to provide basic decision data. Three different power plant output sizes are evaluated in each case to determine severity of diseconomy of scale.
Document ID
19770029955
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Turner, R. H.
(California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena Calif., United States)
Date Acquired
August 8, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1976
Subject Category
Energy Production And Conversion
Meeting Information
Meeting: Conference on Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering
Location: State Line, NV
Start Date: September 12, 1976
End Date: September 17, 1976
Accession Number
77A12807
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS7-100
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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