TY - CHAP A1 - Sattler, Johannes Christoph A1 - Chico Caminos, Ricardo Alexander A1 - Ürlings, Nicolas A1 - Dutta, Siddharth A1 - Ruiz, Victor A1 - Kalogirou, Soteris A1 - Ktistis, Panayiotis A1 - Agathokleous, Rafaela A1 - Jung, Christian A1 - Alexopoulos, Spiros A1 - Atti, Vikrama Nagababu A1 - Teixeira Boura, Cristiano José A1 - Herrmann, Ulf T1 - Operational experience and behaviour of a parabolic trough collector system with concrete thermal energy storage for process steam generation in Cyprus T2 - AIP Conference Proceedings N2 - As part of the transnational research project EDITOR, a parabolic trough collector system (PTC) with concrete thermal energy storage (C-TES) was installed and commissioned in Limassol, Cyprus. The system is located on the premises of the beverage manufacturer KEAN Soft Drinks Ltd. and its function is to supply process steam for the factory's pasteurisation process [1]. Depending on the factory's seasonally varying capacity for beverage production, the solar system delivers between 5 and 25 % of the total steam demand. In combination with the C-TES, the solar plant can supply process steam on demand before sunrise or after sunset. Furthermore, the C-TES compensates the PTC during the day in fluctuating weather conditions. The parabolic trough collector as well as the control and oil handling unit is designed and manufactured by Protarget AG, Germany. The C-TES is designed and produced by CADE Soluciones de Ingeniería, S.L., Spain. In the focus of this paper is the description of the operational experience with the PTC, C-TES and boiler during the commissioning and operation phase. Additionally, innovative optimisation measures are presented. Y1 - 2020 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0029278 N1 - SOLARPACES 2019: International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems, 1–4 October 2019, Daegu, South Korea IS - 2303 SP - 140004-1 EP - 140004-10 ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Mahdi, Zahra A1 - Rendón, Carlos A1 - Schwager, Christian A1 - Teixeira Boura, Cristiano José A1 - Herrmann, Ulf T1 - Novel concept for indirect solar-heated methane reforming T2 - AIP Conference Proceedings Y1 - 2019 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5117694 SN - 0094-243X VL - 2126 SP - 180014-1 EP - 180014-7 PB - AIP Publishing CY - Melville, NY ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Zahra, Mahdi A1 - Phani Srujan, Merige A1 - Chico Caminos, Ricardo Alexander A1 - Schmitz, Pascal A1 - Herrmann, Ulf A1 - Teixeira Boura, Cristiano José A1 - Schmitz, Mark A1 - Gielen, Hans A1 - Gedle, Yibekal A1 - Dersch, Jürgen T1 - Modeling the thermal behavior of solar salt in electrical resistance heaters for the application in PV-CSP hybrid power plants T2 - SOLARPACES 2020 N2 - Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) systems are able to store energy cost-effectively in their integrated thermal energy storage (TES). By intelligently combining Photovoltaics (PV) systems with CSP, a further cost reduction of solar power plants is expected, as well as an increase in dispatchability and flexibility of power generation. PV-powered Resistance Heaters (RH) can be deployed to raise the temperature of the molten salt hot storage from 385 °C up to 565 °C in a Parabolic Trough Collector (PTC) plant. To avoid freezing and decomposition of molten salt, the temperature distribution in the electrical resistance heater is investigated in the present study. For this purpose, a RH has been modeled and CFD simulations have been performed. The simulation results show that the hottest regions occur on the electric rod surface behind the last baffle. A technical optimization was performed by adjusting three parameters: Shell-baffle clearance, electric rod-baffle clearance and number of baffles. After the technical optimization was carried out, the temperature difference between the maximum temperature and the average outlet temperature of the salt is within the acceptable limits, thus critical salt decomposition has been avoided. Additionally, the CFD simulations results were analyzed and compared with results obtained with a one-dimensional model in Modelica. KW - Solar thermal technologies KW - Hybrid energy system KW - Concentrated solar power KW - Energy storage KW - Photovoltaics Y1 - 2022 SN - 978-0-7354-4195-8 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0086268 SN - 1551-7616 (online) SN - 0094-243X (print) N1 - SOLARPACES 2020: 26th International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems, 28 September–2 October 2020, Freiburg, Germany IS - 2445 / 1 PB - AIP conference proceedings / American Institute of Physics CY - Melville, NY ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Rendon, Carlos A1 - Schwager, Christian A1 - Ghiasi, Mona A1 - Schmitz, Pascal A1 - Bohang, Fakhri A1 - Chico Caminos, Ricardo Alexander A1 - Teixeira Boura, Cristiano José A1 - Herrmann, Ulf T1 - Modeling and upscaling of a pilot bayonettube reactor for indirect solar mixed methane reforming T2 - AIP Conference Proceedings N2 - A 16.77 kW thermal power bayonet-tube reactor for the mixed reforming of methane using solar energy has been designed and modeled. A test bench for the experimental tests has been installed at the Synlight facility in Juelich, Germany and has just been commissioned. This paper presents the solar-heated reactor design for a combined steam and dry reforming as well as a scaled-up process simulation of a solar reforming plant for methanol production. Solar power towers are capable of providing large amounts of heat to drive high-endothermic reactions, and their integration with thermochemical processes shows a promising future. In the designed bayonet-tube reactor, the conventional burner arrangement for the combustion of natural gas has been substituted by a continuous 930 °C hot air stream, provided by means of a solar heated air receiver, a ceramic thermal storage and an auxiliary firing system. Inside the solar-heated reactor, the heat is transferred by means of convective mechanism mainly; instead of radiation mechanism as typically prevailing in fossil-based industrial reforming processes. A scaled-up solar reforming plant of 50.5 MWth was designed and simulated in Dymola® and AspenPlus®. In comparison to a fossil-based industrial reforming process of the same thermal capacity, a solar reforming plant with thermal storage promises a reduction up to 57 % of annual natural gas consumption in regions with annual DNI-value of 2349 kWh/m2. The benchmark solar reforming plant contributes to a CO2 avoidance of approx. 79 kilotons per year. This facility can produce a nominal output of 734.4 t of synthesis gas and out of this 530 t of methanol a day. Y1 - 2020 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0029974 N1 - SOLARPACES 2019: International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems, 1–4 October 2019, Daegu, South Korea IS - 2303 SP - 170012-1 EP - 170012-9 ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Schwager, Christian A1 - Angele, Florian A1 - Schwarzbözl, Peter A1 - Teixeira Boura, Cristiano José A1 - Herrmann, Ulf T1 - Model predictive assistance for operational decision making in molten salt receiver systems T2 - SolarPACES: Solar Power & Chemical Energy Systems N2 - Despite the challenges of pioneering molten salt towers (MST), it remains the leading technology in central receiver power plants today, thanks to cost effective storage integration and high cost reduction potential. The limited controllability in volatile solar conditions can cause significant losses, which are difficult to estimate without comprehensive modeling [1]. This paper presents a Methodology to generate predictions of the dynamic behavior of the receiver system as part of an operating assistance system (OAS). Based on this, it delivers proposals if and when to drain and refill the receiver during a cloudy period in order maximize the net yield and quantifies the amount of net electricity gained by this. After prior analysis with a detailed dynamic two-phase model of the entire receiver system, two different reduced modeling approaches where developed and implemented in the OAS. A tailored decision algorithm utilizes both models to deliver the desired predictions efficiently and with appropriate accuracy. KW - Power plants KW - Associated liquids KW - Decision theory KW - Electrochemistry Y1 - 2023 SN - 978-0-7354-4623-6 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0151514 SN - 1551-7616 (online) SN - 0094-243X (print) N1 - SolarPACES: SOLAR POWER & CHEMICAL ENERGY SYSTEMS: 27th International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems, 27 September–1 October 2021, Online IS - 2815 / 1 PB - AIP conference proceedings / American Institute of Physics CY - Melville, NY ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Niederwestberg, Stefan A1 - Schneider, Falko A1 - Teixeira Boura, Cristiano José A1 - Herrmann, Ulf T1 - Introduction to a direct irradiated transparent tube particle receiver T2 - SOLARPACES 2020 N2 - New materials often lead to innovations and advantages in technical applications. This also applies to the particle receiver proposed in this work that deploys high-temperature and scratch resistant transparent ceramics. With this receiver design, particles are heated through direct-contact concentrated solar irradiance while flowing downwards through tubular transparent ceramics from top to bottom. In this paper, the developed particle receiver as well as advantages and disadvantages are described. Investigations on the particle heat-up characteristics from solar irradiance were carried out with DEM simulations which indicate that particle temperatures can reach up to 1200 K. Additionally, a simulation model was set up for investigating the dynamic behavior. A test receiver at laboratory scale has been designed and is currently being built. In upcoming tests, the receiver test rig will be used to validate the simulation results. The design and the measurement equipment is described in this work. KW - Solar irradiance KW - Ceramics Y1 - 2022 SN - 978-0-7354-4195-8 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0086735 SN - 1551-7616 (online) SN - 0094-243X (print) N1 - SOLARPACES 2020: 26th International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems, 28 September–2 October 2020, Freiburg, Germany IS - 2445 / 1 PB - AIP conference proceedings / American Institute of Physics CY - Melville, NY ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Schwager, Christian A1 - Teixeira Boura, Cristiano José A1 - Flesch, Robert A1 - Alexopoulos, Spiros A1 - Herrmann, Ulf T1 - Improved efficiency prediction of a molten salt receiver based on dynamic cloud passage simulation T2 - AIP Conference Proceedings Y1 - 2019 SN - 978-0-7354-1866-0 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5117566 VL - 2126 IS - 1 SP - 030054-1 EP - 030054-8 ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Schwager, Christian A1 - Angele, Florian A1 - Nouri, Bijan A1 - Schwarzbözl, Peter A1 - Teixeira Boura, Cristiano José A1 - Herrmann, Ulf T1 - Impact of DNI forecast quality on performance prediction for a commercial scale solar tower: Application of nowcasting DNI maps to dynamic solar tower simulation T2 - SolarPACES 2022 conference proceedings N2 - Concerning current efforts to improve operational efficiency and to lower overall costs of concentrating solar power (CSP) plants with prediction-based algorithms, this study investigates the quality and uncertainty of nowcasting data regarding the implications for process predictions. DNI (direct normal irradiation) maps from an all-sky imager-based nowcasting system are applied to a dynamic prediction model coupled with ray tracing. The results underline the need for high-resolution DNI maps in order to predict net yield and receiver outlet temperature realistically. Furthermore, based on a statistical uncertainty analysis, a correlation is developed, which allows for predicting the uncertainty of the net power prediction based on the corresponding DNI forecast uncertainty. However, the study reveals significant prediction errors and the demand for further improvement in the accuracy at which local shadings are forecasted. KW - Process prediction KW - DNI forecasting KW - Nowcasting KW - Uncertainty analysis KW - Molten salt receiver system, Y1 - 2024 U6 - https://doi.org/10.52825/solarpaces.v1i.675 SN - 2751-9899 (online) N1 - SolarPACES 2022, 28th International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems, 27-30 September, Albuquerque, NM, USA IS - 1 PB - TIB Open Publishing CY - Hannover ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Schulte, Jonas A1 - Schwager, Christian A1 - Noureldin, Kareem A1 - May, Martin A1 - Teixeira Boura, Cristiano José A1 - Herrmann, Ulf T1 - Gradient controlled startup procedure of a molten-salt power-to-heat energy storage plant based on dynamic process simulation T2 - SolarPACES: Solar Power & Chemical Energy Systems N2 - The integration of high temperature thermal energy storages into existing conventional power plants can help to reduce the CO2 emissions of those plants and lead to lower capital expenditures for building energy storage systems, due to the use of synergy effects [1]. One possibility to implement that, is a molten salt storage system with a powerful power-to-heat unit. This paper presents two possible control concepts for the startup of the charging system of such a facility. The procedures are implemented in a detailed dynamic process model. The performance and safety regarding the film temperatures at heat transmitting surfaces are investigated in the process simulations. To improve the accuracy in predicting the film temperatures, CFD simulations of the electrical heater are carried out and the results are merged with the dynamic model. The results show that both investigated control concepts are safe regarding the temperature limits. The gradient controlled startup performed better than the temperature-controlled startup. Nevertheless, there are several uncertainties that need to be investigated further. KW - Power plants KW - Energy storage KW - Associated liquids Y1 - 2023 SN - 978-0-7354-4623-6 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0148741 SN - 1551-7616 (online) SN - 0094-243X (print) N1 - SolarPACES: SOLAR POWER & CHEMICAL ENERGY SYSTEMS: 27th International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems, 27 September–1 October 2021, Online IS - 2815 / 1 PB - AIP conference proceedings / American Institute of Physics CY - Melville, NY ER - TY - CHAP A1 - May, Martin A1 - Breitbach, Gerd A1 - Alexopoulos, Spiros A1 - Latzke, Markus A1 - Bäumer, Klaus A1 - Uhlig, Ralf A1 - Söhn, Matthias A1 - Teixeira Boura, Cristiano José A1 - Herrmann, Ulf T1 - Experimental facility for investigations of wire mesh absorbers for pressurized gases T2 - AIP Conference Proceedings Y1 - 2019 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5117547 SN - 0094243X VL - 2126 SP - 030035-1 EP - 030035-9 ER -