Abstract:
At least some of the heliostats can be arranged and operated in such a manner that the maintenance vehicle can pass through the solar field along conditional pathways. The arrangement and control of the heliostats to allow access to heliostats by a maintenance vehicle can enable different heliostat patterns as compared with conventional arrangements. In particular, heliostats in one section of the solar field, which may be less geometrically efficient, can be arranged at a higher density as compared to heliostat in another section of the solar field. In addition, the locations of heliostats in various sections of the field can be optimized based on ground coverage as viewed from a vantage point in the solar tower and/or revenue generation without constraining the locations to particular line or arc patterns.
Abstract:
A solar heliostat and system are described with various characteristics particularly suitable for concentrating systems with a relatively large number of small heliostats. Other features contribute to high performance, low cost, high durability, and high temperature operation, such as desired for high efficiency thermal power generation.
Abstract:
A solar energy collection system includes a primary solar receiver and a secondary solar receiver. The secondary solar receiver generates steam using energy from solar radiation incident thereon. The primary solar receiver receives the generated steam from the secondary solar receiver and superheats the steam using energy from solar radiation incident thereon. A plurality of heliostat-mounted mirrors reflects incident solar radiation onto one of the primary and secondary solar receivers. A controller aims a portion of the heliostat-mounted mirrors at the primary solar receiver such that a predetermined thermal profile is provided on a surface of the primary solar receiver.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for directly monitoring energy flux of a solar receiver in a solar energy-based power generation system include measuring infrared radiation emanating from the solar receiver. Such measurement can be achieved using one or more infrared thermography detectors, such as an IR camera. Resulting thermal data obtained by the imaging can be used to determine energy flux distribution on the receiver. A user or a system controller can use the determined flux distribution to adjust heliostat aiming to achieve a desired operation condition. For example, heliostats can be adjusted to achieve a uniform energy flux distribution across the external surface of the receiver and/or to maximize heat transfer to a fluid flowing through the receiver within system operating limits.
Abstract:
A multi-mode solar power generation system can include a first energy conversion system that generates electricity from a working fluid heated by a portion of solar radiation focused by a plurality of heliostats. The multi-mode solar power generation system can also include a second energy conversion system that generates electricity from an unused portion of the focused solar radiation using a different energy conversion mode than that of the first energy conversion system. The second energy conversion system can include one or more photovoltaic converters, which directly convert solar radiation to electricity. The unused radiation from the first energy conversion system can include radiation spillage or dumped radiation from a thermal receiver of the first energy conversion system.
Abstract:
An energy recovery, pressure reducing system according to the present invention for reducing high pressure gas in a transmission pipeline to a lower pressure in a consumer pipeline includes a primary pressure regulator or regulating valve having an adjustable flow control opening, the pressure regulating valve being selectively connectable between the transmission and consumer pipelines for throttling the high pressure gas and producing low pressure gas when the primary pressure regulator or regulating valve connects the pipelines. A bypass line shunts the primary pressure regulator or regulating valve for connecting the pipelines when the primary pressure regulating valve is disconnected from the pipelines. The bypass line includes an expander system having at least one expander for expanding the high pressure gas in the gas transmission pipeline and producing work and lower pressure gas that is supplied to the consumer pipeline. Preferably, a generator is coupled to the expander for converting work produced by the pressure regulating of the high pressure gas in the expander to electricity which is supplied to an electrical load. A fast acting, selectively adjustable pressure regulator or regulating valve apparatus is connected in parallel with the expander system. Finally, a control system is provided, responsive to a reduction in flow through the expander system for rapidly switching the apparatus from a non-operational state in which no gas is transmitted between the transmission and the consumer pipelines, to an operational state in which high pressure gas is throttled to the lower pressure in the consumer pipeline and transmitted thereto.
Abstract:
A solar energy collection system includes a primary solar receiver and a secondary solar receiver. The secondary solar receiver generates steam using energy from solar radiation incident thereon. The primary solar receiver receives the generated steam from the secondary solar receiver and superheats the steam using energy from solar radiation incident thereon. A plurality of heliostat-mounted mirrors reflects incident solar radiation onto one of the primary and secondary solar receivers. A controller aims a portion of the heliostat-mounted mirrors at the primary solar receiver such that a predetermined thermal profile is provided on a surface of the primary solar receiver.
Abstract:
A solar energy collection system includes a primary solar receiver and a secondary solar receiver. The secondary solar receiver generates steam using energy from solar radiation incident thereon. The primary solar receiver receives the generated steam from the secondary solar receiver and superheats the steam using energy from solar radiation incident thereon. A plurality of heliostat-mounted mirrors reflects incident solar radiation onto one of the primary and secondary solar receivers. A controller aims a portion of the heliostat-mounted mirrors at the primary solar receiver such that a predetermined thermal profile is provided on a surface of the primary solar receiver.
Abstract:
A concentrating solar system has multiple receivers, in some embodiments mounted on multiple towers, on which solar energy is concentrating using heliostats. At least some heliostats are controlled such that they may direct energy onto different receivers to achieve any of various control goals, such as temperature or flux uniformity of the receiver. In preferred embodiments, the receivers or receiver portions are fluidly connected in stages such that there are high temperature targets, e.g., superheated receivers or portions, and low temperature targets, e.g. evaporating receivers or targets. By doing so, it is possible to selectively control heliostats to track for directing energy on the targets to, for example, achieve temperature uniformity of the high temperature target by selecting heliostats for that control goal under varying circumstances.
Abstract:
The power produced by a gas turbine system is augmented by a direct contact heat exchanger for contacting and cooling humid ambient air with cooler water for producing cooled ambient air and warmed water, and a precompressor device for compressing said cooled ambient air to produce pressurized air that is warmer than ambient air and has a lower relative humidity. An evaporative cooler, which is supplied with the warmed water, is provided for cooling said pressurized air to produce cooled pressurized air at about ambient air temperature and relative humidity, which is supplied to the main compressor.