Vol2. Investigation of 50KW Parabolic Trough in SAM

Investigation of 50KW Parabolic Trough in SAM

Received: 25 May 2024
Accepted: 12 June 2024


Volume 2. Issue 2. Pages 208-221 (2024)

Abdulaziz Khalid AlSaad & Salah Ud-Din Khan

Affiliation:

Sustainable Energy Technologies Center, College of Engineering, King Saud University, P.O.Box 800, Riyadh 11421, Saudi Arabia

The purpose of concentrated solar power plant to convert solar field into thermal energy with the help of parabolic trough collectors and receiver. Through extensive literature review studied that KSA has large solar potential due to large solar irradiations, rainless area, and as well as utilized solar sources to greater extend. The main objective of this research to simulate CSP parabolic trough (physical and empirical) of capacity 50kW with three thermal storage HTF fluid (HITEC solar salt, Terminal VP-1, Terminal 66). The HTF fluid is used to store thermal energy during overcast conditions or bad weather. A parabolic trough system contains linear reflectors that transmit light onto receiver tube (filled with working fluid). The SAM software widely used for the analysis for concentrated power plants that was developed by NREL. The net power generation data (kWh) are obtained on monthly basis, after running simulation using SAM. The value of total electric power to grid enhanced during summer season or decreased during the overcast condition. The total net electric power to grid was increased by using HITEC solar salt fluid because of its high specific heat value compared to other thermal storage fluids. While empirical CSP parabolic trough plant can produce high precision (accuracy) over wide range of parameters, and such empirical model can’t provide predictive information outside these ranges. The proposed design of CSP parabolic trough plant encourages future development and innovations in sustainable energy.

Volume-2, Issue-2

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