Solar Thermal Rankine Cycle Cooling System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solar thermal Rankine cycles face reduced efficiency due to high ambient air temperatures during the day, which hinder effective cooling of the condenser, leading to increased condenser pressure and reduced steam heat conversion into mechanical energy.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system utilizing a fluid reservoir and a heat exchanger with a cooling device that separates cooling into primary and secondary stages, where primary cooling occurs during the day using steam from the turbine and secondary cooling happens at night using ambient air to pre-cool the fluid, which is then reused during the next day's operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If air cooling is used during the day, then the cooling system can operate, but the high ambient temperature reduces cooling effectiveness and increases condenser pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs cooling action in advance during nighttime when temperatures are lower, pre-cooling the cooling fluid before daytime operation. This preliminary cooling action allows the condenser to operate more effectively during the day despite high ambient temperatures, as the cooling fluid is already at a lower temperature from nighttime cooling.
2Productivity
If cooling is performed during the day, then steam condensation occurs, but the high ambient temperature limits the cooling effect
Solution Approach 1:
The system alternates between nighttime cooling mode and daytime condensation mode in a periodic cycle. During nighttime, the cooling fluid is cooled by ambient air. During daytime, this pre-cooled fluid is used to condense steam in the condenser. This periodic switching between cooling and condensation operations maximizes the cooling effect throughout the day.
3Temperature
If a cooling tower is used, then water can be cooled, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a cooling fluid as an intermediary substance that transfers heat from the condenser to the ambient air during nighttime. Instead of directly cooling the condenser with complex cooling tower structures, the cooling fluid acts as a mediator that simplifies the system while achieving effective cooling through nighttime air cooling.
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 enhances the cooling effect and thermal efficiency of the solar thermal plant by leveraging nighttime low temperatures to cool the fluid, which is then used to condense steam during the day, maintaining efficiency despite high daytime temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal exchange can take place between the steam from the solar steam turbine and the cooling fluid. Thereby the cooling fluid is heated up by the steam from the solar steam turbine and the steam is cooled down and condensed
Implementation Method 2
the cooling fluid is enabled to flow from the fluid reservoir through the fluid side of the cooling device to be cooled down and to re-enter the fluid reservoir
Implementation Method 3
the cooling fluid is cooled down by the utilization of the air surrounding the cooling device
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a cooling system for solar thermal Rankine cycle comprising at least one fluid reservoir filled with a cooling fluid. Moreover, at least one condenser with a reservoir side and a steam side, which is in thermal connection to the solar steam turbine to cool and condense the steam from the solar steam turbine, is provided. The invention further relates to a respective solar steam turbine comprising a cooling system as well to as a method for cooling and condensing steam from a solar steam turbine.