Solar Fields for Direct Steam Generation in Parabolic Trough Collectors

摘要

The technical research and development on solar direct steam generation (DSG) in parabolic trough collectors has arrived at a stage, where conceptional engineering of the integration of solar fields for DSG into power plants may start. The design can now rely on the results gained from laboratory experiments and numerical process simulation. However the design of solar fields for DSG is not trivial as several requirements have to be fulfilled simultaneously. To avoid thermal stresses and excessive pressure losses are the technically most challenging among these. Several ways to avoid thermal stresses are known. The pressure losses are considerable and a strong function of the length of the collector line. Schemes for process control were analyzed and decentralized control of the process in each line will probably be indispensable. The different concepts of process - once through, recirculation and injection - require different designs of solar fields. Although the technical knowledge is not yet complete it is sufficient for the safe design of solar fields for DSG.