11.

1 Solar Thermal Energy

Frank R. Leslie,
B. S. E. E., M. S. Space Technology, LS IEEE
2/12/2010, Rev. 2.0
fleslie @fit.edu; (321) 674-7377
www.fit.edu/~fleslie

http://www.freeenergynews.com/Directory/Solar/Tesla/Experimentor_1916_Solar_Article.pdf

In Other News . . .
Senate passed the energy bill; now consolidation
with House bill forms a new H.R.1 bill at $789B
Some rail enhancements, some renewables, some
RE job training
In Florida, push to regulate tailpipe emissions
starting with new models in 2013 (CAF
standards) that will lead to more electric and
hybrid cars
Push to approve FPSC recommendations to
require utilities to produce 20% power from RE by
2020 and 7% by 2013
FPL decides to build 10 MWp solar thermal plant
at KSC
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11.1.1 Overview of Solar Thermal Systems

Solar thermal systems convert sunlight to
heat
Categorized by reflector/collector types
None; uses lens; regular or Fresnel
Flat mirror (possibly many of them)
Parabolic/cylindrical: single axis forms
trough
Paraboloidal: axis of revolution forms
dish
Spherical: approximates paraboloid, but
focus can move to track sun

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11.1.1 About This Presentation

11.1.2 US Solar Energy Distribution
11.1.3 Flat Collector Types
11.1.3.2 Water Heaters
11.1.4 Reflectors
11.1.5 Solar Thermal Electric Power
11.1.6 Balance of System
11.1.7 Food Processing and Cookers
11.1.8 Advantages and Disadvantages
11.2 Conclusion

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11.1.2 US Solar Energy: Thermal

Quality of heat; the value in temperature
Low-temperature extraction of heat from ground; ~70 F to 80 F
Water heating for home and business; ~90 F to 120 F
High-temperature process-heating water for industry; ~200 F to 400 F
Solar thermal power plants; ~1000 F or higher

From www.energy.ca.gov/education/story/story-images/solar.jpeg
Arizona has clearer skies than Florida. Ref.: Innovative Power Systems
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11.1.3.1.1 Flat-Plate Absorbers

Perforated black metal sheet leaks air in through
slots, and a fan pushes/pushes hot air to desired
area
Trombe Wall absorbs solar heat and stores it
Glass wall plus water barrels often used
Warmed air is slowly released into the building
at night
Water heater with roof solar collector (I like mine)
Food dryers circulate warmed air over cut food to
remove moisture and preserve it; dried fruit, etc.
Wood dryers cure green wood to reduce
shrinkage after it is cut to size (manufactured)
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11.1.3.1.2 A Solar Wall Collector

This perforated
black sheet metal
is fastened
directly to a
building exterior
A small computer
fan pulls outside
air into the slots,
it is warmed, and
the air is pushed
through a pipe to
the interior of the
building

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Sustainable Living and Renewable Energy Fair

at Ft. Collins CO, 2003

Photo by F. Leslie, 2003

11.1.3.1.3 Trombe Wall Collector

A Trombe wall has thermal
mass placed behind a
south wall of glass
Sometimes barrels filled
with water are stacked in
this space as a thermal
storage capacitor
The air in this area is
heated and then passes
into the rest of the house
At night, the thermal
inertia of the water-filled
drums keeps heating the
air
These areas are often used
to grow plants in winter

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http://www.dal.ca/~arch/architecture/visitors/faculty/procos/solarhouse.htm

11.1.3.1.4 Typical Water Heater

A small pump
moves colder
water into the
collector
whenever a
controller senses
that the panel is
hotter than the
tank
Electrical heating
is used if there is
no sunshine
The system
shown adapts a
conventional tank
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http://hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/picts/93050710.gif

11.1.3.2 Solar Water Heaters

Household Use
Rooftop; one or two panels about 3 ft x 10 ft
Rather standard appearance water tank, but has
multiple water connections for collector in and out;
more insulation
Pipes are cold in, hot out, collector in, and collector
out
A temperature sensitive resistor is built in for control
10 kilohm thermistor

Ingenious designs allow a standard water heater tank

to be used by tapping the safety thermostat port and
the drain port
Industrial-grade Parabolic Heaters
Multiples of collectors used to achieve more Btus
Used at schools, prisons, or military bases
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11.1.3.2 Rooftop Heaters

Thermosyphon units
place the storage tank
above the panels, and
heated water rises into
the tank.
Cooler return water
flows from the tank to
the bottom of the
collectors to enter at
the cold end.
No pump is needed to
circulate the water.

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http://www.open.ac.uk/StudentWeb/t265/update/solar.htm

11.1.3.2 Solar Ponds

Fresh water
floats on top of
salt water
Solar heating
of the brine
raises its
temperature to
85C (185F)
A Rankin Cycle
engine turns a
generator to
drive the utility
grid with up to
70 kW

This El Paso solar pond is run by the Univ. of Texas

http://www.infinitepower.org/images/jspaerial.jpg
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http://www.solarpond.utep.edu/

11.1.4.1 Axicon Conical Reflector

A polished mirror
cone reflects the
sun onto a waterfilled pipe and
can boil the
water
The surface of
polished metal or
foil is cheap to
make and form
First used in the
1800s

http://wg
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11.1.4.1 Solar Focusing Systems: Parabolic

Focuses parallel
rays to a line
A black pipe is
placed with its
center at the focus
Pipe can be in a
vacuum or could
have a glass cover
tube to reduce
convection
Cylindrical reflector
can be on one half
of the vacuum tube
and approximates
the parabolic
shape
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http://freespace.virgin.net/gareth.james/astro/alevel/parabolic.gif

Y = 3/16 * X2

11.1.4.2 Solar Focusing Systems: Paraboloidal

The focus at
one spot is
achieved by the
parabolic crosssection
Flat mirror
segments may
be used to
approximate
the curve at
much lower
expense
http://www.mellesgriot.com/glossary/wordlist/glossarydetails.asp?wID=186
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11.1.5.1 Solar Electricity Generation System (SEGS)

SEGS are a
well
developed
design, and
thus the
systems may
be reproduced
and installed
readily
FPL owns
California
plants in the
Mohave
Desert
There are ten
SEGS in all
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http://www.ecobuild.info/renewable/solar/segs.jpg

11.1.5.1 SEGS (Solar Electricity Generation System)

Luz
International, an
Israeli company,
built these nine
large systems in
California
Luz went
bankrupt in
1991, but the
systems are still
supplying power
Sunray Energy,
Inc is an owner
FPL Energy
Group is the
owner of SEGS
III through IX
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http://www.eere.energy.gov/troughnet/deployed.html

engnet.anu.edu.au

http://www.ecobuild.info/renewable/solar/segs.jpg

11.1.5.1 Parabolic Trough Collectors

This large array

shows the gaps
needed to keep
one row from
shadowing the
next row
Note the flexible
pipe at this end
that circulates the
thermal oil
regardless of the
tilt angle
In the background
is the control and
engineering
building
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www.me.washington.edu/~malte/engr342

11.1.5.1 Parabolic Trough System Schematic

www.me.washington.edu/~malte/engr342

Natural gas is used to increase the temperature of

the steam
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11.1.5.1 Eurotrough Reflector

The focus pipe has flexible pipes on the ends to allow rotary motion
to track the sun, while the absorber pipe is kept at the heat focus
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http://www.eurotrough.com/downloads/EuroTroughPaperZurich2002_web.pdf

11.1.5.1 Eurotrough Field Layout

Each pair of
tubes forms a
loop
from the central
manifolds
The power block
is centrally
located to
minimize
thermal losses
Oil is heated to
~500C
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http://www.eurotrough.com/downloads/EuroTroughPaperZurich2002_web.pdf

11.1.5.2.1 Solar Power Towers

Solar power towers were developed at Sandia, south
of Albuquerque, New Mexico
Salt was melted by the focused heat
If the sun was blocked, the salt could harden in
the pipes, requiring torches to get it flowing again
The heliostat mirrors are about ten feet square
and mounted on the azimuth-elevation mounts
(like a radar antenna mount) about 10 feet off the
ground
The larger version with a full circle array, Solar One,
was built near Barstow, CA
Water is used, but the system is being modified
for molten salt
http://www.sandia.gov/Renewable_Energy/solarthermal/NSTTF/question.htm
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11.1.5.2.2 Solar Power Towers: Sandia CRTF

Flat mirrors are aimed to focus sun at the receiver target to melt salt
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www.me.washington.edu/~malte/engr342

11.1.4.2.3 Solar Power Towers: Sandia CRTF

5 MW power
Flux to 280 W/cm2
Each heliostat is separately
driven to focus its beam on
the receiver
Missile nosecones have
been tested in the hot spot

The Receiver Tower has multiple target areas

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http://www.sandia.gov/Renewable_Energy/solarthermal/NSTTF/tower1.htm

11.1.4.2.4 Solar Power Towers: Sandia CRTF

The large tank
stores energy to
use during
cloud passage
or at dusk
The output
power is
extracted at a
constant rate

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http://www.sandia.gov/Renewable_Energy/solarthermal/NSTTF/feature.htm

11.1.4.2.4 Solar Power Towers: Barstow CA

Flat mirrors are aimed to melt salt at the receiver target

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http://www.sandia.gov/Renewable_Energy/solarthermal/nsttf.html

11.1.5.3 Solar Power Mirrors

Disks of thin aluminized mylar are pulled into rings

under slight vacuum to form a paraboloidal surface
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www.ecobuild.info/ renewable/solar/
www.me.washington.edu/~malte/engr342

11.1.5.3.1 75 kW Solar Thermal Test Facility

These Sandia trackers have a paraboloidal dish

surface similar to a radar antenna
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http://www.sandia.gov/Renewable_Energy/solarthermal/NSTTF/dishes.htm

11.1.5.3.2 The Axicon Steam Generator

Collins 1_29

11.1.5.3 Solar Path vs. Collector Weight and Size

The Suns changing position requires moving the

focus during the day
Solar noon elevation changes annually as the
sun declination angle changes
Massive structures require high power to move
them
The STTF has 11-meter reflectors
Lighter components can move suns image
Structures have a lot of sail area, and high winds
could damage the reflectors
Reflectors are moved to a vertical stow position
that minimizes wind torques when weather
warnings arise
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11.1.6 Balance of System (BOS)

You need all this other stuff to make it work!
Heat exchangers, boilers
Circulating pumps for the heat fluid
Heat storage tanks, special thermal oils
Automated controls
Natural gas peaking for steam high
temperature
Rotary expanders (positive displacement
steam motors) can substitute for a turbine
Wash truck and sprayer to clean the desert
dust off the mirrors

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11.1.7.1 Food Dryers

Heated air passes over the food
drying the moisture and
preserving it
Separate trays allow keeping
fruits or nuts of the same dryness
together for processing
http://www.arc.agric.za/institutes/ili/main/publications/dryer.htm

The glass or plastic top

allows sunlight in but
reflects infrared energy
back onto the food
The food is in the thick
end of the box
http://www.avinsolar.com/dryer.htm
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11.1.7.2.1 Solar Coffee Bean Dryers

Coffee is normally
dried on open
tables in the sun
These solar dryers
were built to speed
the process
Heat retention
increases the inside
air temperature
Materials are
inexpensive and
local workers can
build the driers
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http://www.resource-solutions.org/GGIfcoffeegallery.htm

11.1.7.2.2 Solar Coffee Bean Roaster

The Solar Roast coffee company
built and uses this segmented
mirror to heat the receiver and
roast the coffee (incredibly
expensive)
Roasting coffee beans sound like
popcorn popping
They will move from Oregon to
Southern Colorado for more sun
and year-around operation
Find out more at
www.solarroast.com or their ad in
Home Power magazine
(not a paid announcement!)
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http://www.solarroast.com/news.html

11.1.7.3 A Traditional Sun Cooker

This cooker at the
2003 Ft. Collins CO
Sustainable Living
Fair was in too
shady a location to
work

The polished aluminum wings provide more reflected light

energy into the box to increase the temperature to about
270 F
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11.1.7.4 A Paraboloidal Sun Cooker

The black pot suspended at
the focus can be moved on
and off for loading and
serving
The mount allows vertical
shifts while the entire unit is
turned to track the sun
The mirror is made of
segments to approximate a
paraboloid

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http://www.cuisinesolaire.com/F/cuiseurs.htm

11.1.7.4.1 A Paraboloidal Solar Cooker

This massive
servotracker unit
was originally
developed at Sandia
and later given to the
local Renewable
Energy Society
An oven area at the
back can cook three
pans of cookies
A twin unit was
shown at the 2004
MREA Fair in WI
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Photo by F. Leslie, 2003

The segments approximate a paraboloidal

11.1.7.4.3 Making Solar Pancakes

A whimsical way to make money at a European renewable energy fair!
Solar
pancakes
from two
reflectors
that are
offset
sections of
a
paraboloid

http://www.cuisinesolaire.com/E/Benicarlo.htm
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11.1.8 Advantages and Disadvantages

Solar thermal systems work efficiently at lower
temperatures since cheap flat collectors can work
economically
Reflecting systems need broad acceptance
angles so that the optics dont cost too much
The beam need only strike the absorber, not
form a picture image (noncoherent)
Reflectors must be kept clean by frequent
washing
Reflectors wouldnt be wise in hailstorm country!
Could be protected by a quickly erected tarp

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11.1 Conclusion: Solar Thermal

Solar thermal systems are cost effective at low
temperatures for water heating or cooking
Water heaters are energy savers, but initial cost
dissuades many from using them
Power tower electricity cost is at $6/W peak, too
high to compete with PV power
Massive power tower yields 10 MWe, while a
typical utility plant is 500-1500 MWe
Power towers arent likely to be economically
practical for some time
Solar dryers, cookers, and ovens are relatively
inexpensive and available for remote cooking
Backpack versions are sold for camping
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Olin Engineering Complex 4.7 kW Solar PV Roof Array

Questions?

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References: Books
Brower, Michael. Cool Energy. Cambridge MA: The MIT Press, 1992. 0-26202349-0, TJ807.9.U6B76, 333.7940973.
Duffie, John and William A. Beckman. Solar Engineering of Thermal
Processes. NY: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 920 pp., 1991
Patel, Mukund R. Wind and Solar Power Systems. Boca Raton: CRC Press,
1999, 351 pp. ISBN 0-8493-1605-7, TK1541.P38 1999, 621.312136
Srensen, Bent. Renewable Energy, Second Edition. San Diego: Academic
Press, 2000, 911 pp. ISBN 0-12-656152-4.

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References: Websites, etc.

www.me.washington.edu/~malte/engr342 Excellent site!
www.doe.gov
www.sandia.org
www.nrel.doe.gov
http://solarcooking.org/
http://home.earthlink.net/~drduggee/solar.htm
http://journeytoforever.org/sc.html
http://dir.yahoo.com/Society_and_Culture/Food_and_Drink/Cooking/Cooking_Techniques/Solar_Coo
king/
http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/AFSIC_pubs/qb9606.htmhttp://peswiki.com/energy/Main_Page
http://www.solar2006.org/presentations/tech_sessions/t33-a166.pdf
___________________________________________________________________
www.dieoff.org. Site devoted to the decline of energy and effects upon population
www.ferc.gov/ Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
www.google.com/search?q=%22renewable+energy+course%22
solstice.crest.org/
dataweb.usbr.gov/html/powerplant_selection.html

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