Solar Thermal Electrical Generation: Difference between revisions

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=Introduction=
=Introduction=


We are building a solar thermal concentrator electrical generation system prototype at Factor e Farm, starting in mid August
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 [http://openfarmtech.org/index.php?title=Solar_Turbine_Prototype_at_Factor_e_Farm here].


   
Some of the highlights are:
 
(Linked from [[Solar_Turbine]])
 
=Email Group=
 
Join the [http://groups.google.com/group/solar-turbine 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:
 
[[Image:ISE_slats.jpg]]
 
[http://www.solarpaces.org/Tasks/Task4/task_iv.htm 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=
 
[[Image:turbine_prototype.jpg]]
 
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:
 
[[Image:ganged1.jpg]]
 
[[Image:ganged2.jpg]]
 
[[Image:ganged3.jpg]]
 
Marcin proposes the following implementation:
 
[[Image:ganged_frame.jpg]]
 
 
 
=Part Sourcing Information=
 
Here are some prices that I found out. Please submit others:
 
*Mirror
**'''$291 plus shipping''' - for 360 pieces of 12x10" tile - [http://www.dollaritem.com/Dollar_Store/shoppingcart.asp?xItem=1&SessionID={78DC8371-C6F6-4A98-9EA2-AE5764880BC6}]
**Menards has mirror tile at $1.5/sq ft
*Aluminized Mylar - '''$40''' - for thin 1 mil - [http://www.hydroponicsusa.com/servlet/the-86024/%3EMylar-&-Poly-Reflectors/Detail]
*Mirror holders - steel studs, which can be opened up to the 6" width of the mirrors to be held - are structurally sound and relatively inexpensive
**Menards has 3 5/8"x1 1/2" steel studs, 10 foot long, for $4.50
**Others?
*Selective solar coating - $70/gallon from [http://www.solec.org/solkotehome.htm#PRODUCT%20SPECIFICATIONS Solec]
*Foundation
**CEB block & 6 tons of gravel - gravel for '''$150'''
**4x4s may be utilized with Ben's updated design - [http://openfarmtech.org/weblog/?p=279]
*Collector tube:
**16 10 foot sections of 1" galvanized pipe - $16 each, '''$256'''
**8 more of the above for collector tube supports - '''$128'''
*Insulation - [http://www.infraredheaters.com/insulati.htm] - $110
*Other:
**Bearings for reflector slats - $30 for 100 at [http://www.vxb.com/page/bearings/PROD/100Skate vxb.com], need 160 for total of '''$60'''
**10' of 1/2" Electric Mechanical Tube, galvanized steel - $2.89 at Menards, need 16, total of '''$48'''
**3/8" rod, 6', $10 at McMaster Carr, [http://www.mcmaster.com/ Part # 9120K64], need 26, total of '''$260'''
**107 sq ft of gauge 18 steel sheet, $2/sq ft at 7.11.08 prices - '''$214'''
 
=Background Calculations=
 
It is extremely useful - in order to gain an appreciation of the power available from solar energy - to go through the basic calculations of power yields from our system, and to compare those yields to the energy obtainable from sustainably-harvested biomass energy. See these notes [http://openfarmtech.org/index.php?title=Comparison_of_Biomass_and_Solar_Energy_Yields here].


[[Categogy:Research_Topics]]
[[Categogy:Research_Topics]]

Revision as of 15:28, 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:

(Linked from Solar_Turbine)

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:

ISE slats.jpg

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:

  1. Solar Concentrator Foundation - CEB posts are presently our first choice, but we may revert to lumber if technical difficulties arise
  2. Concentrator Structure - collector tube mounting, slat mounting, connecting posts together
  3. Mirror Slats - rotation support bearing, bearing mounts, rod, slats, mechanical fasteners
  4. Tracking - sensor, actuator, gearing
  5. Solar Concentrator Tube - glazing, insulation and cover, tubing connection, attachment to support structure, alignment mechanism

Reflectors, Collector, and Data Acquisition

Turbine prototype.jpg

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:

Ganged1.jpg

Ganged2.jpg

Ganged3.jpg

Marcin proposes the following implementation:

Ganged frame.jpg


Part Sourcing Information

Here are some prices that I found out. Please submit others:

  • Mirror
    • $291 plus shipping - for 360 pieces of 12x10" tile - [1]
    • Menards has mirror tile at $1.5/sq ft
  • Aluminized Mylar - $40 - for thin 1 mil - [2]
  • Mirror holders - steel studs, which can be opened up to the 6" width of the mirrors to be held - are structurally sound and relatively inexpensive
    • Menards has 3 5/8"x1 1/2" steel studs, 10 foot long, for $4.50
    • Others?
  • Selective solar coating - $70/gallon from Solec
  • Foundation
    • CEB block & 6 tons of gravel - gravel for $150
    • 4x4s may be utilized with Ben's updated design - [3]
  • Collector tube:
    • 16 10 foot sections of 1" galvanized pipe - $16 each, $256
    • 8 more of the above for collector tube supports - $128
  • Insulation - [4] - $110
  • Other:
    • Bearings for reflector slats - $30 for 100 at vxb.com, need 160 for total of $60
    • 10' of 1/2" Electric Mechanical Tube, galvanized steel - $2.89 at Menards, need 16, total of $48
    • 3/8" rod, 6', $10 at McMaster Carr, Part # 9120K64, need 26, total of $260
    • 107 sq ft of gauge 18 steel sheet, $2/sq ft at 7.11.08 prices - $214

Background Calculations

It is extremely useful - in order to gain an appreciation of the power available from solar energy - to go through the basic calculations of power yields from our system, and to compare those yields to the energy obtainable from sustainably-harvested biomass energy. See these notes here.

Categogy:Research_Topics

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