Dynamic testing of solar thermal systems is presently defined by ISO 9459-5:2007. The testing methodology is clearly defined in the standard. Presently, laboratories that use Dynamic System Testing methodology only have available for identification of parameters, a closed source program, which is based on a model described by Spirkl and Muschawek (1992). The present paper describes the work done following a different approach for the identification of parameters -use of TRNSYS to simulate the system and use of GENOPT Ò for optimization. Results are presented, both for thermosyphon and forced circulation systems, and show, in most cases, good agreement (differences lower then ±5%) when compared with the results using ISS, v2.7 (from In Situ Scientific Software). Comparison of system energy yield, calculated using TRNSYS for periods higher than one month, with measured energy yield for these periods, was also done for a thermosyphon system showing very good agreement (differences lower than ±3%).
The most important standard for collector testing in Europe is the EN 12975:2006 which is applied in all the major laboratories and is the reference for the Solar Keymark certification. Besides the steady-state method, the EN 12975 allows the application of the quasidynamic method performed outdoors in natural conditions with variable radiation and ambient temperature. The available number of days for each test was investigated by analyzing meteorological data series acquired in the Solar Energy Laboratory (LES) in Lisbon since 2008 showing the advantage of the quasi-dynamic test. Both the steady-state and the quasi-dynamic methods were applied to five collectors of different types (two flat plate collectors, one evacuated tube collector with a back reflector and direct flow circulation, one evacuated tube collector with heat pipes, and a CPC collector). The results were compared and a good agreement between the steadystate and the quasi-dynamic test results was observed. Issues concerning the incidence angle modifiers and the effective thermal capacity of the collectors were analyzed in detail, which resulted in the identification of model and test limitations. Suggestions are given to improve the test methodology and the data analysis of quasi-dynamic test.
Abstract. For the development and establishment of concentrating solar thermal collectors a reliable and comparable performance testing and evaluation is of great importance. To ensure a consistent performance testing in the area of lowtemperature collectors a widely accepted and commonly used international testing standard (ISO 9806:2013) is already available. In contrast to this, the standard ISO 9806:2013 has not completely penetrated the testing sector of concentrating collectors yet. On that account a detailed literature review has been performed on published testing procedures and evaluation methodologies as well as existing testing standards. The review summarizes characteristics of the different steady-state, quasi-dynamic and fully dynamic testing methods and presents current advancements, assets and drawbacks as well as limitations of the evaluation procedures. Little research is published in the area of (quasi-) dynamic testing of large solar collectors and fields. As a complementary a survey has been conducted focusing on currently implemented evaluation procedures in this particular field. Among the ten participants of the survey were project partners of relevant industry and research institutions within the European project STAGE-STE (Work package 11 -Linear focusing STE technologies). The survey addressed general aspects of the systems under test, as well as required process conditions and detailed characteristics of the evaluation procedures. In congruence with the literature review, the survey shows a similar tendency: the quasi-dynamic testing method according ISO 9806:2013 presents the most common and advanced evaluation procedure mainly used in the context of tracking concentrating collectors for the performance assessment of parabolic trough collectors operating with thermal oil or pressurized water. These common solar systems can be evaluated with minor adaptions to the testing standard. Evaluation procedures focused on in-situ measurements in solar fields or collectors are scarce and complex as well as an evaluation of linear Fresnel collectors or other systems operating with non-common heat transfer media like molten salt and direct steam. As those are still SolarPACES 2015
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