Dynamic simulation and performance analysis of a parabolic trough concentrated solar power plant using molten salt during the start-up process

Shunqi Zhang, Ming Liu, Yongliang Zhao, Jiping Liu and Junjie Yan

Renewable Energy, 2021, vol. 179, issue C, 1458-1471

Abstract: Daily start-up is a typical feature of concentrated solar power plants (CSPs) due to solar energy intermittency. Therefore, appropriate start-up operation strategies are significant for CSPs. A parabolic trough concentrated solar power plant (PTCSP) with molten salt (MS) is a potential technical route. However, little attention has been paid to the dynamic start-up performance of PTCSP using MS. To mend the research gap, the dynamic start-up simulation of PTCSP using MS is conducted. Main contributions of this study are the dynamic start-up simulation of PTCSP using MS and evaluation of two MS anti-freezing solutions. Results indicate that the outlet MS temperature of solar field transiently exceeds nominal values during start-up processes. The inlet feedwater temperature of the preheater is much lower than MS freezing temperature during start-up processes. Therefore, two anti-freezing solutions were used to avoid MS solidification. Compared with utilizing the recirculating pump, utilizing the low-load regenerative heater can enhance anti-freezing performance, which could reduce the maximum control deviation of the preheater inlet feedwater temperature by 2.0 °C and increase the average outlet MS temperature of the preheater by 2.4 °C. This study may provide guidance for the dynamic simulation and operation optimization of CSPs during start-up processes.

Keywords: Dynamic simulation; Start-up process; Parabolic trough concentrated solar power; Molten salt; Anti-freezing solution (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:renene:v:179:y:2021:i:c:p:1458-1471

DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2021.07.127

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