A numerical simulation of a linear Fresnel solar reflector directed to produce steam for the power plant

Abstract

The concentrating solar systems of linear Fresnel reflectors offer the ability to generate electricity from solar energy. The main objective of this paper is to perform a transient numerical simulation on a linear Fresnel solar reflector directed to produce superheated water steam for the power plants, in order to determine its efficiencies (optical and thermal), where the heat transfer fluid mass flow inside the copper absorber tube is 0.045 kg/s. The dimensions of the studied linear Fresnel solar collector are the same dimension as the modular system Nova-1 of NOVATEC SOLAR Company. The dimension of the studied model is 1D. For this purpose, El-Oued region has been designated as a study field. The twelve recommended average days for months have been selected for the study. This paper was based on a numerical solution using the finite differences method. MATLAB has been used as a software language. The optical efficiency of the LFR solar receiver has reached 53.7% where the thermal efficiency has reached 37.5%, while the pressure drop within the absorber pipe has reached 02 bars. As for superheated steam temperatures variations, it ranged between 233.35 °C and 263.75 °C, knowing that the water steam inlet temperature when entering the absorber tube is equal to 140 °C. As for the overall coefficient of heat loss, its mean value is 5.84 W/m2.°C. The results obtained are very encouraging to invest in this steam power plant, especially in the desert areas, which are rich in solar energy.