Citation
Abstract
Performance optimization of solar thermal-electric power systems depends on a number of major parameters, each affecting the specific power output and the overall conversion efficiency differently in magnitude and direction. This first-phase study presents analytically a unified and generalized treatment in predicting the technical performance of many present or future system designs and configurations. In an effort to screen the major design parameters whose effect on performance is high and to assess the system improvement or deficiency resulting from their change, the sensitivity analysis is performed, The sensitivity, defined as the percentage change of output divided by the percentage change in input, is evaluated analytically for seven major system design parameters. These design parameters are: the solar radiation intensity, the ambient temperature, the optical-thermal characteristics of the collector subsystem (concentratorreceiver), the relative thermal efficiency for the energy conversion subsystem, the working fluid operating temperature, and the rate of fluid heat capacity. General performance sensitivity expressions are derived and numerically evaluated for the range of possible operating conditions. Furthermore, the effect of these major parameters on the system performance optimization is presented to identify future improvement areas and to pave the way for the second-phase study in the economic sensitivity analysis on bus bar energy costs.
Details
- Volume
- 42-56
- Published
- April 15, 1980
- Pages
- 130–142
- File Size
- 1.3 MB