Method for operating a linear concentrator solar power plant, and linear concentrator solar power plant
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Solution Overview
Problem
Linearly concentrating solar power plants face challenges in maintaining safe operation during transitional periods and preventing heat transfer medium freezing, especially with molten salts, due to temperature differences and solidification issues in pipeline systems.
Innovation Solution
A method that ensures a high flow rate of the heat transfer medium through pipeline loops to maintain turbulent flow, with part of the medium being recirculated and mixed with newly supplied medium to prevent stratification and freezing, using a mixing device connected to the pipeline loop to maintain a stable temperature above the solidification point.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the flow rate of heat transfer medium is reduced during low solar irradiance, then energy consumption is decreased, but temperature differences within the pipe loop increase causing receiver damage
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing device pre-heats the heat transfer medium by mixing hot medium from the storage tank with cold medium before it enters the pipe loop, ensuring that even at reduced flow rates during low solar irradiance, the temperature difference within the pipe loop remains acceptable and receiver damage is prevented
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing device acts as an intermediary between the storage tank and the pipe loop, combining hot and cold heat transfer medium to create a pre-heated mixture that maintains safe temperature gradients in the receiver during part-load operation
2Productivity
If molten salt is used as heat transfer medium to achieve higher operating temperatures, then plant efficiency is improved, but freezing risk in pipeline systems increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing device pre-heats the cold molten salt from the storage tank by mixing it with hot molten salt before it enters the pipeline system, ensuring that the temperature remains above the freezing point even during night operation or periods of low solar irradiance
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses temperature sensors to monitor the heat transfer medium temperature and adjusts the mixing ratio accordingly, ensuring that the temperature in the pipeline system remains above the freezing point of the molten salt under all operating conditions
3Reliability
If the heat transfer medium temperature is maintained high to prevent freezing, then freezing risk is reduced, but heat losses to the environment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the temperature parameter of the heat transfer medium by controlling the mixing ratio of hot and cold salt, maintaining the minimum temperature required to prevent freezing while minimizing heat losses to the environment
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach prevents damage from temperature differences, ensures continuous operation, and minimizes heat losses by maintaining the heat transfer medium temperature close to the solidification control temperature, reducing the risk of freezing and extending the operational lifespan of pipeline systems.
Implementation Method 1
The absorption of solar thermal radiation is subject to fluctuating energy flow during operation
Implementation Method 2
The flow must be turbulent to ensure that the pipe is heated sufficiently and evenly
Implementation Method 3
at least a portion of the heat transfer medium which has flowed through the pipe loop is mixed with heat transfer medium which is to be supplied to the pipe loop
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating a linear concentrator solar power plant (1), in which method a heat exchange medium flows through a pipeline loop (47) with at least one receiver, wherein the heat exchange medium has a flow velocity which is so great that the flow in the pipeline loop (47) is turbulent, wherein at least part of the heat exchange medium is removed upon exit from the pipeline loop (47) and is guided back into the pipeline loop (47). Furthermore, the invention relates to a linear concentrator solar power plant having at least one pipeline loop (47) with at least one receiver, in which a heat exchange medium which flows through the pipeline loop (47) is heated by incoming solar energy, wherein a mixing device (27) is included, in which at least part of the heat exchange medium which flows through the pipeline loop (47) is mixed with heat exchange medium to be fed in.