Comparison of advanced engines for parabolic dish solar thermal power plantsA paraboloidal dish solar thermal power plant produces electrical energy by a two-step conversion process. The collector subsystem is composed of a two-axis tracking paraboloidal concentrator and a cavity receiver. The concentrator focuses intercepted sunlight (direct, normal insolation) into a cavity receiver whose aperture encircles the focal point of the concentrator. At the internal wall of the receiver the electromagnetic radiation is converted to thermal energy. A heat engine/generator assembly then converts the thermal energy captured by the receiver to electricity. Developmental activity has been concentrated on small power modules which employ 11- to 12-meter diameter dishes to generate nominal power levels of approximately 20 kWe. A comparison of advanced heat engines for the dish power module is presented in terms of the performance potential of each engine with its requirements for advanced technology development. Three advanced engine possibilities are the Brayton (gas turbine), Brayton/Rankine combined cycle, and Stirling engines.
Document ID
19800064248
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Fujita, T. (Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Bowyer, J. M. (Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Gajanana, B. C. (California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena Calif., United States)