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High-Efficiency Power Cycles for Particle-Based Concentrating Solar Power Plants: Thermodynamic Optimization and Critical Comparison

Author

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  • Miguel Angel Reyes-Belmonte

    (Department of Chemical, Energy and Mechanical Technology, Rey Juan Carlos University, Calle Tulipán, 28933 Móstoles, Madrid, Spain)

  • Francesco Rovense

    (Laboratorio Energia e Ambiente Piacenza, LEAP s.c.a.r.l., Via Nino Bixio, 27/C, 29121 Piacenza, Italy)

Abstract

This paper investigates and compares several highly efficient thermodynamic cycles that are suitable for coupling with particle-in-tube fluidized-bed solar receiver technology. In such a receiver, high-temperature particles are used as both a heat transfer fluid and a storage medium. A dense particle suspension (DPS) is created through an upward bubbling fluidized-bed (UBFB) flow inside the receiver tubes, which constitutes the “particle-in-tube” solar receiver concept. Reaching higher temperatures is seen as a key factor for future cost reductions in the solar plant, as this leads to both higher power conversion efficiency and increased energy storage density. Three advanced thermodynamic cycles are analyzed in this work: the supercritical steam Rankine cycle (s-steam), supercritical carbon dioxide cycle (s-CO 2 ) and integrated solar combined cycle (ISCC). For each one, 100% solar contribution, which is considered the total thermal input to the power cycle, can be satisfied by the solar particle receiver. The main findings show that the s-CO 2 cycle is the most suitable thermodynamic cycle for the DPS solar plant, exhibiting a net cycle efficiency above 50% for a moderate temperature range (680–730 °C). For the other advanced power cycles, 45.35% net efficiency can be achieved for the s-steam case, while the efficiency of the ISCC configuration is limited to 45.23% for the solar-only operation mode.

Suggested Citation

  • Miguel Angel Reyes-Belmonte & Francesco Rovense, 2022. "High-Efficiency Power Cycles for Particle-Based Concentrating Solar Power Plants: Thermodynamic Optimization and Critical Comparison," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-18, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:22:p:8579-:d:974508
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Reyes-Belmonte, M.A. & Sebastián, A. & Romero, M. & González-Aguilar, J., 2016. "Optimization of a recompression supercritical carbon dioxide cycle for an innovative central receiver solar power plant," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 17-27.
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    5. Reyes-Belmonte, M.A. & Sebastián, A. & Spelling, J. & Romero, M. & González-Aguilar, J., 2019. "Annual performance of subcritical Rankine cycle coupled to an innovative particle receiver solar power plant," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 130(C), pages 786-795.
    6. Martín, Helena & de la Hoz, Jordi & Velasco, Guillermo & Castilla, Miguel & García de Vicuña, José Luís, 2015. "Promotion of concentrating solar thermal power (CSP) in Spain: Performance analysis of the period 1998–2013," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 1052-1068.
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    8. Luu, Minh Tri & Milani, Dia & McNaughton, Robbie & Abbas, Ali, 2017. "Analysis for flexible operation of supercritical CO2 Brayton cycle integrated with solar thermal systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 124(C), pages 752-771.
    9. Gomez-Garcia, Fabrisio & Gauthier, Daniel & Flamant, Gilles, 2017. "Design and performance of a multistage fluidised bed heat exchanger for particle-receiver solar power plants with storage," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 190(C), pages 510-523.
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