Fluidized Bed Technology for Concentrating Solar Power With Thermal Energy Storage

Abstract

A generalized modeling method is introduced and used to evaluate thermal energy storage (TES) performance. The method describes TES performance metrics in terms of three efficiencies: first-law efficiency, second-law efficiency, and storage effectiveness. By capturing all efficiencies in a systematic way, various TES technologies can be compared on an equal footing before more detailed simulations of the components and concentrating solar power (CSP) system are performed. The generalized performance metrics are applied to the particle-TES concept in a novel CSP thermal system design. The CSP thermal system has an integrated particle receiver and fluidized-bed heat exchanger, which uses gas/solid two-phase flow as the heat-transfer fluid, and solid particles as the heat carrier and storage medium. The TES method can potentially achieve high temperatures (>800 °C) and high thermal efficiency economically.

Encapsulated Nitrates Phase Change Material Selection for Use as Thermal Storage and Heat Transfer Materials at High Temperature in Concentrated Solar Power Plants

“…Moreover, new CSP projects are more ambitious, reaching more than 10 h of thermal storage, as the case of an under-construction solar power plant in Chile, which TES module is designed for 17.5 h. of storage obtaining a capacity factor above 80% [6]. According to Ma et al [1], CSP plants integrated with TES can provide utility-scale, dispatchable electricity to the power grid.…”

“…Worldwide, high dependence on fossil fuels and the increased energy demand have set two challenges for society: (1) to identify environmentally friendly energy sources, and (2) to develop more efficient methods and technologies, in order to satisfy the high energy demands. To achieve these targets, renewable energy generation technologies have become a key factor by allowing exploitation of cleaner and abundant energy sources.…”

“…In the case of concentrated solar power (CSP) plants, the intermittency problem is addressed with the use of thermal energy storage (TES) systems [1][2][3][4]. Thanks to TES the CSP plant can produce energy when no sunlight is available, then this component contributes to produce an almost continuous supply of electricity and, as consequence, increase its capacity factor.…”

Concept of a utility scale dispatch able solar thermal electricity plant with an indirect particle receiver in a single tower layout

“…Furthermore IPRs rely on more robust technologies and can be up scaled to industrial scale. As promising IPR concepts the works of Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) [6,7] and National Renewable Energy Laboratories (NREL) [8,9] have to be acknowledged.…”

“…The concept of NREL [8,9] also follows a near black body approach, but particle flow through the receiver is gravity driven. With a fluidized bed a controlled particle flow can be realized, minimizing the risk of hot spots and maximizing the heat transfer coefficients of particle flows.…”