15 kWe (nominal) solar thermal electric power conversion concept definition study: steam Rankine reheat reciprocator system

Technical Report · Fri Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1979

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5599822· OSTI ID:5599822

Fuller, H.; Demler, R.; Poulin, E.; Dantowitz, P.

An evaluation was made of the potential of a steam Rankine reheat reciprocator engine to operate at high efficiency in a point-focusing distributed receiver solar thermal-electric power system. The scope of the study included the engine system and electric generator. Not included in the scope was the solar collector/mirror or the steam generator/receiver. A parametric analysis of steam conditions was completed leading to the selection of 973K (1292F)/12.1 MPa (1750 psia) as the steam temperature/pressure for a conceptual design. A conceptual design was completed for a two cylinder/opposed engine operating at 1800 rpm directly coupled to a commercially available induction (motor) generator. A unique part of the expander design is the use of carbon/graphite piston rings to eliminate the need for using oil as an upper cylinder lubricant. The evaluation included a system weight estimate of 230 kg (500 lb) at the mirror focal point with the condenser mounted separately on the ground. The estimated cost of the overall system is $1932 or $90/kW for the maximum 26 kW output.

• Research Organization: Foster-Miller Associates, Inc., Waltham, MA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: EX-76-A-29-1060
• OSTI ID: 5599822
• Report Number(s): DOE/NASA/0062-79/1; NASA-CR-159590
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
DISTRIBUTED COLLECTOR POWER PLANTS
RANKINE CYCLE POWER SYSTEMS
DESIGN
PARAMETRIC ANALYSIS
ALTERNATORS
CARBON
COST
EFFICIENCY
ENTROPY
EVALUATION
GRAPHITE
LUBRICANTS
OPERATION
PISTONS
POWER RANGE 10-100 KW
REGENERATORS
SPECIFICATIONS
STEAM
THERMODYNAMICS
VAPOR CONDENSERS
CONDENSERS
ELECTRIC GENERATORS
ELEMENTS
NONMETALS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
POWER PLANTS
SOLAR POWER PLANTS
SOLAR THERMAL POWER PLANTS
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
140703* - Solar Thermal Power Systems- Distributed Collector