Solar Thermal Electrical Generation: Difference between revisions
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Some of the highlights are shown in the description below | Some of the highlights are shown in the description below | ||
=Research Areas= | |||
Key developments involve: | |||
*Reflector structure optimization - lighweight, low-cost support structure is needed | |||
*Tracking system - accurate daily tracking is needed - [http://www.redrok.com/electron.htm#led3x RedRok] tracker may need improvement | |||
*Collector structure optimization - minimize reflective, conductive, emissivity losses | |||
*Steam engine development - digital fabrication molding, casting, and machining of modern steam engine | |||
*Steam cycle optimization of temperature, pressure, cooling, preheating, and energy regeneration regimes | |||
Based on the outcomes of the August prototype, we will continue. Presently, we need to procure a heat engine and test the fabrication procedure of collector/reflector structure to verify cost predictions of $1950 for a 30kW solar intercept system that generates between 500 and 3500 watts of electrical power. | |||
=Email Group= | =Email Group= | ||
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[[Image:ganged_frame.jpg]] | [[Image:ganged_frame.jpg]] | ||
=Additional Information= | =Additional Information= | ||
See [[Solar_Turbine]] | See [[Solar_Turbine]] | ||
[[Categogy:Research_Topics]] | [[Categogy:Research_Topics]] | ||
Revision as of 15:37, 6 August 2008
Introduction
We are building a solar thermal concentrator electrical generation system prototype at Factor e Farm, starting in mid August. We have a Google group organized around this, and a development wiki here.
Some of the highlights are shown in the description below
Research Areas
Key developments involve:
- Reflector structure optimization - lighweight, low-cost support structure is needed
- Tracking system - accurate daily tracking is needed - RedRok tracker may need improvement
- Collector structure optimization - minimize reflective, conductive, emissivity losses
- Steam engine development - digital fabrication molding, casting, and machining of modern steam engine
- Steam cycle optimization of temperature, pressure, cooling, preheating, and energy regeneration regimes
Based on the outcomes of the August prototype, we will continue. Presently, we need to procure a heat engine and test the fabrication procedure of collector/reflector structure to verify cost predictions of $1950 for a 30kW solar intercept system that generates between 500 and 3500 watts of electrical power.
Email Group
Join the Solar Turbine email group
Introduction
We are building a replicable solar thermal concentrator electric power system - on the kW scale. The closest system that we found to our design is:
Source. We should identify and contact the designers.
Design Drawings
The site will be prepared by leveling with a tractor and blade. We are building on the conceptual drawings in Solar Concentrators and Solar_Concentrator_Technical_Drawings:
- Solar Concentrator Foundation - CEB posts are presently our first choice, but we may revert to lumber if technical difficulties arise
- Concentrator Structure - collector tube mounting, slat mounting, connecting posts together
- Mirror Slats - rotation support bearing, bearing mounts, rod, slats, mechanical fasteners
- Tracking - sensor, actuator, gearing
- Solar Concentrator Tube - glazing, insulation and cover, tubing connection, attachment to support structure, alignment mechanism
Reflectors, Collector, and Data Acquisition
Overview. Steam is our preferred choice due to its simplicity. I am not sure whether steam will yield the highest efficiency, but we can optimize this point by going to higher temperatures. Advantage: a sustainable resource. Disadvantage: freezes in winter
Updated Designs
Here is an updated proposition from Ben, end of July, 2008:
Marcin proposes the following implementation:
Additional Information
See Solar_Turbine