Under the sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Energy•s Division of Central Solar Technology, the Pacific Northwest Laboratory performed a comparative analysis of solar thermal conversion concepts that are potentially suitable for development as small electric power systems (1 to 10 MWe). Cogeneration and total electric systems were beyond the scope of this study. Seven generic types of collectors, together with associated subsystems for electric power generation, were considered. The collectors can be classified into three categories: 1) two-axis tracking (with compound-curvature reflecting surfaces), 2) one-axis tracking (with single-curvature reflecting surfaces), and 3) nontracking (with low-concentration reflecting surfaces). All seven collectors were analyzed in conceptual system configurations with Rankine-cycle engines. In addition, two of the collectors (the Point Focus Central Receiver and the Point Focus Distributed Receiver) were analyzed with Brayton-cycle engines, and the latter of the two also was analyzed with Stirling-cycle engines. With these engine options, 10 systems were formulated f or an a 1 ys is. Conceptual designs developed for the 10 systems were based on common assumptions of available technology in the 1990 to 2000 time frame. No attempt was made to perform a detailed optimization of each conceptual design. Rather, designs best suited for a comparative evaluation of the concepts were formulated. Costs were estimated on the basis of identical assumptions, ground rules, methodologies, and unit costs of materials and labor applied uniformly to all of the concepts. The computer code SOLSTEP was used to analyze the thermodynamic performance characteristics and energy costs of the 10 concepts. Year-long simulations were performed using meteorological and insolation data for Barstow, California as input to the code. Results for each concept include levelized energy costs and capacity factors for various combinations of storage capacity and collector field size.
Cavity Receiver (FMC) 12 Line-Focus Collectors (McDonnell Douglas, JPl) 13 Line-Focus, Distributed Receiver System (JPL) 14 FMSC System (General Atomic) 15 FMSC Mirror Unit (General Atomic) 16 FMSC Receiver (General Atomic) 17 FMSC Plant Configuration 18 Compound Parabolic Concentrator (Argonne) 19 V-Trough Collector (JPL) 20 Low Concentration Non-Tracking System (JPL). . vii REPORT ON TASK 1-DETERMINATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF SOLAR THERMAL CONVERSION OPTIONS INTRODUCTION This report documents certain work performed during Task 1 of a project conducted by the Pacific Northwest Laborato~ for the U. S. Department of Energy. The purpose of this project is to rank alternative high temperature, high performance solar thermal conversion systems that are potentially suitable for use as electric power generation facilities in the 1 to 10 MWe range, with initial commercialization by the mid-1980s. Task 1 encompassed the initial efforts to identify and describe the generic types of ~olar thermal conversion options to be analyzed. LITERATURE REVIEW An extensive review of available literature was conducted. Over 250 applicable articles, reports, and source items were collected, filed, and indexed. All Solar Energy Updates, ERDA Energy Resource Abstracts, Government Reports Announcements and Indices, Solar Directories, Solar Handbooks, Engineering Indices, and Physics Abstracts were reviewed, and a comprehensive computer search of all Energy Information Data Bases completed. From these sources information was extracted and catalogued by concept in a reference file of over 4500 pages. This literature search, which will continue during the course of the project, was initiated to provide a reference library for use in both system identification and evaluation. This library is now indexed by an up-to-date bibliography maintained for ease of addition on magnetic card file. References which directly apply to solar thermal power systems are given in Appendix A. 1. Point-focus, distributed receiver system u'sing thermal, chemical or electrical (heat engine at focus) energy transport, with either Rankine, Brayton or Stirling power conversion. 2. Point-focus, central receiver system using a field of two-axis tracking heliostats with thermal transport to large Rankine, Brayton or Stirling engines. 3. Fixed-mirror, distributed focus system under development by Texas Tech University and E-Systems. 4. Line-focus, central receiver system developed by FMC with suitable energy transport and power conversion subsystems. 5. Line-focus, single axis tracking collector, distributed receiver system with suitable energy transport and power conversion subsystems. Both solid surfaces (troughs) and slats (facets) will be considered. 2 ..
Pacific Northwest laboratory (PNL) was asked to develop and recommend a regulatory position that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) should adopt regarding the ability of reactor pressure vessels to withstand the effects of pressurized thermal shock (PTS). Licensees of eight pressurized water reactors provided NRC with estimates of remaining effective full power years before corrective actions would be required to prevent an unsafe operating condition. PNL reviewed these responses and the results of supporting research and concluded that none of the eight reactors would undergo vessel failure from a PTS event before several more years of operation. Operator actions, however, were often required to terminate a PTS event before it deteriorated to the point where failure could occur. Therefore, the near-term (less than one year) recommendation is to upgrade, on a site-specific basis, operational procedures, training, and control room instrumentation. Also, uniform criteria should be developed by NRC for use during future licensee analyses. Finally, it was recommended that NRC upgrade nondestructive inspection techniques used during vessel examinations and become more involved in the evaluation of annealing requirements.Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL) was asked by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to develop and recommend a near-term (<1 year) regulatory position that NRC should adopt to avoid or mitigate pressurized thermal shock (PTS) at nuclear power plants. The PNL technical staff and several independent consultants, who provided an overview of the program, evaluated what corrective actions, if any, must be taken before longer-term PTS generic resolution and acceptance criteria are established. Responses to NRC's request for information are still being received from licensees and owners groups. In this regard, the PNL review is limited to information available through May 1982.The responses considered several classes of overcooling scenarios which could lead to a PTS event. For all scenarios, it was concluded that none of the eight reactors under review would undergo vessel failure should a PTS event occur before several more years of operation and, in most cases, before the end of reactor life. However, in many scenarios, operator actions were required to terminate the event before it deteriorated to a state where the conditions necessary for vessel failure were present. The NRC evaluation of PTS procedures and operator training at two of the eight plants indicated deficiencies in these areas. Therefore, it is recommended that procedures, training, and control room instrumentation be changed on a site-specific basis in the nearto long-term period.In addition, the responses differed in terms of event conditions, assumptions, and acceptance criteria beyond what would be expected because of plantspecific situations. It is therefore recommended that uniform criteria be used to evaluate the effective full power years (EFPY) remaining before further corrective actions are required. Adopting these...
A comparative analysis of generic solar thermal conversion configurations was performed to evaluate and rank the principal concepts under consideration in the DOE Solar Thermal Power Program. Year-long performance simulations were conducted for the 50- to 200-MWe systems using Barstow, California meteorological and insolation data. Multiattributable utility methodology was used to rank the eleven concepts.
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