Numerical Investigation of the Pipelines modeling in a Small-Scale Concentrated Solar Combined Heating and Power Plant

Abstract

Ha generat l'article: Energies, 2020, 13(2), 429; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13020429

In this paper four different detailed models of pipelines have been proposed, they are supposed to be used in a quasi steady-state model of a micro solar Combined Heat and Power plant developed under the EU funded project Innova MicroSolar. The integrated plant consists of a Linear Fresnel Reflectors solar field, 3.8 tons of Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage system equipped with reversible heat pipes and an Organic Rankine Cycle unit designed for a power production of 2 kWe/18 kWth. Previous numerical analyses carried out by some of the authors have revealed a high incidence of pipelines on the plant performance due to thermal losses and their dynamic behavior. Hence, in this paper four different levels of models detail of such pipelines have been developed and tested based on the micro CHP operating conditions in order to find out which approach provides the most accurate dynamic behavior in small scale CHP systems simulations.

This study is a part of the Innova MicroSolar Project, funded in the framework of the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme (grant agreement No 723596)