Parametric sensitivity analysis of a SOLRGT system with the indirect upgrading of low/mid-temperature solar heat

Yuan Yuan Li, Na Zhang and Rui Xian Cai

Applied Energy, 2012, vol. 97, issue C, 648-655

Abstract: Development of novel solar–fossil fuel hybrid system is important for the efficient utilization of low temperature solar heat. A solar-assisted methane chemically recuperated gas turbine (SOLRGT) system was proposed by Zhang and co-worker, which integrated solar heat into a high efficiency power system. The low temperature solar heat is first converted into vapor latent heat provided for a reformer, and then indirectly upgraded to high-grade generated syngas chemical energy by the reformation reaction. In this paper, based on the above mentioned cycle, a parametric analysis is performed using ASPEN PLUS code to further evaluate the effect of key thermodynamics parameters on the SOLRGT performance. It can be shown that solar collector temperature, steam/air mass ratio, turbine inlet pressure, and turbine inlet temperature have significant effects on system efficiency, solar-to-electricity efficiency, fossil fuel saving ratio, specific CO2 emission and so on. The solar collector temperature is varied between 140 and 240°C and the maximum net solar-to-electricity efficiency and system efficiency for a given turbine inlet condition (turbine inlet temperature of 1308°C and pressure ratio of 15) is 30.2% and 52.9%, respectively. The fossil fuel saving ratio can reach up to 21.8% and the reduction of specific CO2 emission is also 21.8% compared to the reference system. The system performance is promising for an optimum pressure ratio at a given turbine inlet temperature.

Keywords: Hybrid system; Solar heat; SOLRGT system; Sensitivity analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2011.12.013

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