Solar powered Rankine cycle irrigation pump. Final report

Technical Report · Sat Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1979

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5386312· OSTI ID:5386312

Batton, W. D.; Barber, R. E.

A new and novel means of combining solar energy with the Rankine engine is to use the collectors as the engine boiler. This report details the results of a test program where a small (288 square feet) collector field was installed and used for boiling-in-the-collector tests with R-113 as a working fluid. Two different types of parabolic trough tracking collectors were purchased and tested. There were two rows (128 sq. ft.) of Del Manufacturing collectors and one row (160 sq. ft.) of Solar Kinetics collectors. All three rows were installed at a 5 degree angle (inclined to the South) oriented North-South and tracking East-West on the roof at Barber-Nichols in Arvada, Colorado, a northwest suburb of Denver. These two types of collectors have distinct differences that made it worthwhile to test each type. A Rankine engine, less turbine expander, was installed and used to complete a solar power system. The major experimental results are that the collectors did heat the R-113, did provide a vapor suitable for turbine feed, and stable flow did occur under all conditions, thus proving the feasibility of the boiling-in-collector concept. Also, the 5 degree angle performed satisfactorily and is considered a reasonable angle for field use. Some unexpected problems were experienced in testing the collectors. The feasibility of the system concept has been demonstrated and areas for improvement have been determined. Methods to resolve these areas are proposed along with a plan to expand the system, complete the engine, and to gather operating experience and performance data for a year's operation. Budget and schedule are provided for this proposed follow on work. (WHK)

• Research Organization: Barber-Nichols Engineering Co., Arvada, CO (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-78ET20419
• OSTI ID: 5386312
• Report Number(s): DOE/ET/20419-1; SAN-0419-1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140703* -- Solar Thermal Power Systems-- Distributed Collector
COLORADO
CONCENTRATING COLLECTORS
COST
DESIGN
EFFICIENCY
ENGINES
EQUIPMENT
ERRORS
FARMS
HEAT ENGINES
IRRIGATION
MARKET
NORTH AMERICA
PARABOLIC COLLECTORS
PARABOLIC TROUGH COLLECTORS
PERFORMANCE
PERFORMANCE TESTING
PUMPS
RANKINE CYCLE ENGINES
ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR HEAT ENGINES
SOLAR WATER PUMPS
SYSTEMS ANALYSIS
TESTING
USA
WATER PUMPS