Counter-rotating turbines for solar chimney power plants

An efficiency model at design performance for counter-rotating turbines is developed and validated. Based on the efficiency equations, an off-design performance model for counter-rotating turbines is developed. Combined with a thermodynamic model for a solar chimney system and a solar radiation model, annual energy output of solar chimney systems is determined. Two counter-rotating turbines, one with inlet guide vanes, the other without, are compared to a single-runner system. The design and off-design performances are weighed against in three different solar chimney plant sizes. It is shown that the counter-rotating turbines without guide vanes have lower design efficiency and a higher off-design performance than a single-runner turbine. Based on the output torque versus power for various turbine layouts, advantageous operational conditions of counter-rotating turbines are demonstrated.     

Numerical simulation of the solar chimney power plant systems coupled with turbine

Numerical simulations have been carried out on the solar chimney power plant systems coupled with turbine. The whole system has been divided into three regions: the collector, the chimney and the turbine, and the mathematical models of heat transfer and flow have been set up for these regions. Using the Spanish prototype as a practical example, numerical simulation results for the prototype with a 3-blade turbine show that the maximum power output of the system is a little higher than 50 kW. Furthermore, the effect of the turbine rotational speed on the chimney outlet parameters has been analyzed which shows the validity of the numerical method advanced by the author. Thereafter, design and simulation of a MW-graded solar chimney power plant system with a 5-blade turbine have been presented, and the numerical simulation results show that the power output and turbine efficiency are 10 MW and 50%, respectively, which presents a reference to the design of large-scale solar chimney power plant systems.     

太阳能热气流发电系统的性能分析

基于太阳能热气流发电系统的原理,分析了系统的发电功率和能量转换效率.数学模型的建立考虑了太阳辐射和系统尺寸参数对系统最大输出功率和最大能量转换效率的影响.以西班牙试验电站系统为例进行了数值模拟,数值计算结果与理论分析具有良好的一致性.系统最大输出功率不仅是烟囱高度的函数,同时也与系统其他尺寸和环境参数有关;在太阳辐射强度为1000W/m2条件下,当烟囱高度为300m时,系统的最大能量转换效率达到1%,当烟囱高度为1000m时,系统的最大能量转换效率可超过3%.     

太阳能热气流电站中涡轮机流动特性分析

对太阳能热气流电站中的涡轮机进行了设计和数值模拟.建立了涡轮机区域流体流动的物理数学模型,并对其进行数值模拟;研究了涡轮机的转速与压降对涡轮机的流量、输出功率和能量转换效率的影响.通过与相近实验模型的试验结果对比,证明了设计方案和数值模拟方法是有效的.     

一种新型的太阳能热气流发电系统

提出了一种螺旋集热型太阳能热气流发电系统,建立了该系统的流动与传热特性数学模型.数值模拟结果表明,与西班牙太阳能热气流试验电站相比,在烟囱出口流动与传热特性参数及输出功率相同情况下,螺旋集热型太阳能热气流的集热棚半径减少了25%,占地面积减少了44%,具有较明显的经济性和商业优势.     

Analysis and feasibility of implementing solar chimney power plants in the Mediterranean region

This paper analyzes the feasibility of solar chimney power plants as an environmentally acceptable energy source for small settlements and islands of countries in the Mediterranean region. For the purpose of these analyses, two characteristic geographic locations (Split and Dubrovnik) in Croatia were chosen and simplified model for calculation of produced electric power output is also developed. These locations possess typical characteristics of the Mediterranean climate. The solar characteristics of the chosen geographic locations are shown along with characteristic meteorological data. A solar chimney (SC) power plant with a chimney height of 550 m and a collector roof diameter of 1250 m would produce 2.8–6.2 MW of power. The average annual electric power production of this SC power plant would range between 4.9 and 8.9 GWh/year, but in reality from 5.0 to 6.0 GWh/year in average. An approximate costs analysis, which included a total investment estimate, was performed. The levelized electricity cost was also calculated. It is found that the price of produced electric energy by solar chimney power plant in Mediterranean region is considerably higher compared to the other power sources.     

Analysis of output power smoothing method of the solar chimney power generating system

Severe fluctuation of the output power is a common problem in the generating systems of various renewable energies. The concept of output power fluctuation factor of renewable energy power generating systems was put forward in this paper. Aiming to decrease the fluctuation factor of output power in solar chimney power generating systems (SC), a novel hybrid energy storage system made of water, and sandstone was employed to replace the traditional sandstone energy storage system. The mathematical models of fluid flow, heat transfer and power generating features of SC were established and the influences of material, depth, areas and location of the energy storage layer upon output power were analyzed. The simulation results indicated that adopting the hybrid energy storage of water and sandstone can effectively decrease the fluctuation factor of SC output power and hence smooth the SC output power. In addition, according to the largest daily power generating capability or the smallest peak fluctuation factor, the corresponding optimum depth of the water energy storage layer would be 5 cm or 20 cm, respectively. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Investigation on the application of solar chimney for multi-storey buildings

This paper presents investigation on the use of solar chimney (SC) in high-rise building. To this end, two small scale models of a three storey building were built. The floor dimensions of each storey are 1.2 × 2 × 1 m. Solar chimneys were integrated into the south-faced walls of one unit whereas the other unit served as a reference. Two design configurations were considered including connected and non-connected solar chimney: The first is a tall SC with an inlet opening at each floor and one outlet opening at the third floor. While for the second, an inlet and outlet openings were installed at each floor. Data recorded included room temperature, air gap temperature and velocity of the induced air flow in the solar chimney.First, a comparison between the SC building models and a common model without openings (SC) demonstrated that multi-storey solar chimney is a good alternative. Room temperature of the solar chimney model was lower than the room temperature of the common model, depending on the floor level by up to 5 °C. Next comparison between the two SC configurations showed that the best configuration is that with an inlet opening at each floor and one outlet opening at the third floor as temperature difference between room and ambient was the lowest. Reasonable agreement between the experimental data and those derived from our mathematical model developed using electric analogies validated our model. Therefore multi-storey solar chimney is an interesting option and could be applied for hot climate like in Thailand to save energy and environment.     

Analytical and numerical investigation of the solar chimney power plant systems

There is a surge in the use of the solar chimney power plant in the recent years which accomplishes the task of converting solar energy into kinetic energy. As the existing models are insufficient to accurately describe the mechanism, a more comprehensive model is advanced in this paper to evaluate the performance of a solar chimney power plant system, in which the effects of various parameters on the relative static pressure, driving force, power output and efficiency have been further investigated. Using the solar chimney prototype in Manzanares, Spain, as a practical example, the numerical studies are performed to explore the geometric modifications on the system performance, which show reasonable agreement with the analytical model. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Solar chimney power plants for high latitudes

A solar chimney system for power production at high latitudes has been designed and its performance has been evaluated. A mathematical model and a code on MATLAB platform have been developed based on monthly average meteorological data and thermodynamic cycle. The thermal performance of a 5 MW nominal power production plant at three locations in Canada, namely Ottawa, Winnipeg and Edmonton, is studied. The sloped collector field is built at suitable mountain hills, which also functions as a chimney. Then a short vertical chimney is added to install the vertical axis air turbine. The results showed that solar chimney power plants at high latitudes may have satisfactory thermal performance and produce as much as 85% of the same plants in southern locations with horizontal collector field. The overall thermal performance of these plants is a little less than 0.5%.     

太阳能烟囱发电新技术

介绍了一种太阳能烟囱发电新技术。太阳光辐射透过太阳能集热棚，加热集热棚下面的地面，被加热的地面与集热棚内的空气进行热量交换，使其温度上升，被加热的空气上升并进入与集热棚中部相连的烟囱，在烟囱内上升气流推动涡轮发电机旋转、发电。整个太阳能烟囱发电技术的能量转化以及效率可以从三个部分来分析：通过集热棚太阳能转化为空气热能，通过烟囱将热能转化为动能，通过涡轮发电机将动能转化为电能。另外，总结了太阳能烟囱发电技术的优缺点，指出它是一种适合于我国西部地区的一种能源开发新途径。     

Accuracy of theoretical models in the prediction of solar chimney performance

A solar chimney is a solar power plant which generates mechanical energy (usually in terms of turbine shaft work) from a rising hot air that is heated by solar energy. The present paper compares the predictions of performances of solar chimney plants by using five simple theoretical models that have been proposed in the literature. The parameters used in the study were various plant geometrical parameters and the insolation. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation was also conducted and its results compared with the theoretical predictions. The power output and the efficiency of the solar chimney plants as functions of the studied parameters were used to compare relative merits of the five theoretical models. Models that performed better than the rest are finally recommended.     

烟囱性状对太阳能烟囱发电系统效率的影响

采用计算流体动力学（CFD）方法分析了烟囱对太阳能烟囱发电系统效率的影响。通过对烟囱高度、烟囱形状、烟囱内表面粗糙度和温度对系统的影响分析表明：在其它条件不变的情况下,烟囱高度和直径对系统效率影响最为显著,其次是形状,最后是烟囱内表面粗糙度和温度。     

Examining potential benefits of combining a chimney with a salinity gradient solar pond for production of power in salt affected areas

The concept of combining a salinity gradient solar pond with a chimney to produce power in salt affected areas is examined. Firstly the causes of salinity in salt affected areas of northern Victoria, Australia are discussed. Existing salinity mitigation schemes are introduced and the integration of solar ponds with those schemes is discussed. Later it is shown how a solar pond can be combined with a chimney incorporating an air turbine for the production of power. Following the introduction of this concept the preliminary design is presented for a demonstration power plant incorporating a solar pond of area 6 hectares and depth 3 m with a 200 m tall chimney of 10 m diameter. The performance, including output power and efficiency of the proposed plant operating in northern Victoria is analysed and the results are discussed. The paper also discusses the overall advantages of using a solar pond with a chimney for production of power including the use of the large thermal mass of a solar pond as a practical and efficient method of storing collected solar energy.     

集热栅对太阳能烟囱发电系统效率的影响

采用计算流体动力学（CFD）方法对太阳能烟囱发电装置进行数值模拟，得到装置内部的温度场、速度场、压力场等分布情况。对集热棚的各种几何和物理参数进行研究和分析。结果表明，集热棚直径、太阳辐照强度、覆盖材料的透明度等诸多参数对系统效率有直接而重要的影响。     

太阳能烟囱发电系统的性能研究

采用通用商业CFD软件ANSYS Fluent 13.0对太阳能烟囱发电系统进行数值模拟,获得太阳能烟囱发电系统的空气流速分布。结果表明:在其他条件不变的情况下,集热棚周边高度对系统的发电功率几乎没有影响;太阳能烟囱发电系统的烟囱直径存在最佳值,使太阳能烟囱发电系统的输出功率最大;集热棚斜度也存在最佳值,使系统输出发电功率最大。     

Maximum fluid power condition in solar chimney power plants – An analytical approach

Main features of a solar chimney power plant are a circular greenhouse type collector and a tall chimney at its centre. Air flowing radially inwards under the collector roof heats up and enters the chimney after passing through a turbo-generator.The objective of the study was to investigate analytically the validity and applicability of the assumption that, for maximum fluid power, the optimum ratio of turbine pressure drop to pressure potential (available system pressure difference) is 2/3. An initial power law model assumes that pressure potential is proportional to volume flow to the power m, where m is typically a negative number between 0 and −1, and that the system pressure drop is proportional to the power n, where typically n = 2. The analysis shows that the optimum turbine pressure drop as fraction of the pressure potential is (n − m)/(n + 1), which is equal to 2/3 only when m = 0, implying a constant pressure potential, independent of flow rate. Consideration of a basic collector model proposed by Schlaich leads to the conclusion that the value of m is equal to the negative of the collector floor-to-exit efficiency. A more comprehensive optimization scheme, incorporating the basic collector model of Schlaich in the analysis, shows that the power law approach is sound and conservative.It is shown that the constant pressure potential assumption (m = 0) may lead to appreciable underestimation of the performance of a solar chimney power plant, when compared to the analyses presented in the paper. More important is that both these analyses predict that maximum fluid power is available at much lower flow rate and much higher turbine pressure drop than predicted by the constant pressure potential assumption. Thus, the constant pressure potential assumption may lead to overestimating the size of the flow passages in the plant, and designing a turbine with inadequate stall margin and excessive runaway speed margin. The derived equations may be useful in the initial estimation of plant performance, in plant performance analysis and in control algorithm design. The analyses may also serve to set up test cases for more comprehensive plant models.     

Evaluation of operational control strategies applicable to solar chimney power plants

Numerical simulations are carried out to study the performance of two schemes of power output control applicable to solar chimney power plants. Either the volume flow or the turbine pressure drop is used as independent control variable. Values found in the literature for the optimum ratio of turbine pressure drop to pressure potential vary between 2/3 and 0.97. It is shown that the optimum ratio is not constant during the whole day and it is dependent of the heat transfer coefficients applied to the collector. This study is a contribution towards understanding solar chimney power plant performance and control and may be useful in the design of solar chimney turbines.     

太阳烟囱发电系统及其固有的热力学不完善性分析

简述了太阳烟囱发电系统的工作原理，指出根据浮力产生的压强差的不同计算方法将得到不同的性能评价。基于这种发电系统的创始人Schliach给出的一个30MW的算例，计算了太阳集热棚和烟囱组合的第一定律效率及集热棚和烟囱各自的第二定律效率。说明太阳烟囱发电技术实质上是太阳热发电，受热力学定律的制约。虽然太阳集热棚的效率相当高，但其第二定律效极低，比第一定律效率低一个量级。由于作为热发电系统热源的热空气的温度很低，这就导致了即使在理想的条件下系统的发电效率也较难大于1％     

太阳能热气流发电系统的热力性能分析

对太阳能热气流发电系统的热力学性能进行了分析,建立了系统的热力学循环,进一步分析了系统的实际循环效率和理想循环效率,对不同规模的太阳能热气流发电系统的热力学特性进行了计算比较。结果表明:大规模太阳能热气流发电系统相应的标准布雷顿循环效率、理想循环效率以及实际循环效率分别为35%,10%～25%和0.9%～2.0%。分析结果为太阳能热气流发电技术的设计与商业应用提供了理论参考。