Test Standards for Direct Steam Generating Solar Concentrators

Abstract

There are a few standards reported in the literature for testing and evaluation of thermal performance of solar concentrators based on sensible heating of working fluid. The preceding standard measures only the cooking efficiency and cooking capacity. Apart from thermal efficiency, there is an imperative need for other important parameters of the solar concentrators such as its stagnation temperature, cooking capacity, cost per watts delivered, weight of the cooker, ease of handling and aesthetics. The characterization of a concentrator at its operating temperature settles appropriate size and type of concentrator for any thermal application. The performance test is conducted at Chandwad (20.3292°N, 74.2444°E), Maharashtra and the proposed protocol aims for evaluation of thermal performance of solar cooking system and standardization of reporting the test results so that anyone can easily recognize and use it.

A review of Thermal Performance of Solar Concentrator – the future needs

“…M. Alguacila et al [12] developed a second generation parabolic trough to obtained more efficient generating system which operates above 400 0 C. To achieve higher temperature, Abengoa solar uses direct steam generation (DSG) in parabolic trough in the first stage heating upto 450 0 C and in second stage heating upto 550 0 C. It had built and evaluated a demonstration prototype plant of 8 MWht which is composed of an evaporator field (3 parallel loop) and a superheater field (2 loop)and oil as working fluid in order to work at 85 bar and 450ºC to analyze control stability, receiver tube viability (analyzing mechanical behavior, optical performance and heat losses) and collector interconnection feasibility which results annual production of 140MW with lower thermal losses and improved efficiency. Mahesh M. Rathore and Ravi M. Warkhedkar [13] proposed a new test standard to evaluate thermal performance of solar concentrator based on sensible heating of working fluid (Water) with 16 m parabolic scheffler reflector. It assumed optical efficiency of 85% and which varies from 52.38% to 26% with an error of ±3.5%.The efficiency is higher at lowest operating pressure and it decreases as operating pressure increases.…”

Thermal optimization of solar dish collector for indirect vapor generation

“…Sardeshpande et al proposed a test procedure for thermal performance evaluation of vapor generating point‐focus solar concentrator. Rathore and Warkhedkar developed a standard test for direct vapor generating using Scheffler dish. A test setup was presented to evaluate his thermal performance that varies from 52.38% to 26% with an error ±3.5%.…”