Concentrated solar power (CSP) systems use heat transfer fluids to collect and transport heat from mirrors that focus sunlight onto receivers. The hot fluid is then pumped into a steam turbine power plant to generate electricity. CSP has the benefits of solar fuel but can achieve higher efficiencies and yields. Heat transfer fluids must have high heat capacity, thermal stability, and a wide operating temperature range.
Heat transfer fluid refers to an engineered blend of chemicals that collect and transport heat. These fluids are one of the key technologies that make electrical generation possible from a concentrated solar power (CSP) system. When selecting a suitable heat transfer fluid, several operational criteria must be determined.
In concentrated solar power systems (CSP), an advanced solar power technology, light energy is converted into heat. This is a distinction from photovoltaic solar energy schemes, in which light energy, captured by photoelectric cells, directly produces electricity. In a CSP process, light is concentrated by mirrors that focus reflected sunlight onto receivers, tubes through which the heat transfer fluid travels. The hot fluids are then conveyed to the power generation plant.
A CSP setup uses parabolic mirrors arranged in exceptionally long rows that look like the blades of large highway snow plows. The heat transfer fluid travels along the horizontal centers of the mirrors, gaining heat as it moves from mirror to mirror. Other configurations use flat circular mirrors that focus light onto receivers strung above the mirrors. Often the systems have a sun tracking function, where the mirrors can track the movement of the sun across the sky.
The hot fluid is pumped into a steam turbine power plant. There, the fluid heats the water, taking the place of the fuel in the traditional fossil fuel power station. The boiling water circuit is identical, except for the variation in the design of the heat exchanger between the heat transfer medium and the water. No need for a gas manifold and exhaust mechanisms.
The use of heat transfer fluid is notable for two reasons. In this scheme no fuel was consumed; the energy came from sunlight. There are therefore no combustion by-products to treat. CSP has the solar fuel benefits of PV systems, but can potentially achieve higher efficiencies and higher electrical yields.
Secondly, the heat was literally transferred from one place to another. Engineers typically think of heat as a waste product or by-product, but not the energy carrier. The heat conducts so easily through pipe walls and duct work, it cannot be easily transported and is best utilized at the generating site. The use of advanced heat transfer fluids makes heat transport feasible.
Heat transfer fluids must be carefully designed to have high heat capacity, high thermal stability, and a wide operating temperature range. They must remain liquid or maintain properties compatible with the system as a gas. A typical heat transfer fluid has operating specifications of 12oC to 400oC (54oF to 752oF).
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