Open-loop transport of solar energy using natural-gas networks
This paper examines the feasibility of transporting solar energy via a thermochemical-energy process and natural-gas networks. The high-temperature solar energy from a central receiver is converted to chemical-bond energy by steam reforming of natural gas to synthesis gas: HEAT + CH/sub 4/ + H/sub 2/O ..-->.. CO + 3H/sub 2/. The synthesis gas is dehydrated and transported in the natural-gas pipeline. At the user end, the synthesis gas is methanated to produce synthetic natural gas (SNG) and to release the stored energy: CO + 3H/sub 2/ ..-->.. CH/sub 4/ + H/sub 2/O + HEAT. The recovered heat is used in an industrial park to produce 944 GJ/h (895 MBtu/h) of 4.14 MPa (600 psig), and 400/sup 0/C (750/sup 0/F) superheated steam which is piped to 10 equal-sized user facilities clustered in the industrial park. The SNG is distributed to natural-gas users. Two cases were examined - a new pipeline and an existing pipeline. The new pipeline must be 76 cm (30 in.) in diameter to carry the same fuel-gas energy using synthesis gas as is carried in a 51-cm (20-in.) natural-gas line. The synthesis gas system is more efficient than molten-draw-salt energy transport for transport distances greater than about 50 km (30 miles). The solar system with transport is cost-effective compared with residual-oil or natural-gas-fired boilers. In the second case, an existing 76-cm line, pipeline operations both at capacity and at half-capacity with natural-gas transmission were considered. For an existing line operating near capacity, there is a negative incentive to carry solar energy via synthesis gas, because the total energy flow decreases significantly relative to natural gas. If the existing line is operating at half-capacity or less prior to conversion, there is then an incentive to transport solar energy via synthesis gas. This case, then, becomes more cost-effective than a new pipeline.
- Research Organization:
- Solar Energy Research Inst. (SERI), Golden, CO (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-77CH00178
- OSTI ID:
- 6274230
- Report Number(s):
- SERI/TP-234-1816; CONF-830622-6; ON: DE83009104
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: American Solar Energy Society meeting, Minneapolis, MN, USA, 1 Jun 1983
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
08 HYDROGEN
SOLAR PROCESS HEAT
CHEMICAL HEAT PIPES
CENTRAL RECEIVERS
COST
METHANATION
PIPELINES
STEAM REFORMER PROCESSES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
ENERGY
HEAT
HEAT PIPES
PROCESS HEAT
REFORMER PROCESSES
SOLAR RECEIVERS
140505* - Solar Energy Conversion- Photochemical
Photobiological
& Thermochemical Conversion- (1980-)
140905
080103 - Hydrogen- Production- Steam Reformer Processes