Conceptual design of a heat pipe solar receiver gas turbine plant. Final report

Abstract

A conceptual design for a 10-MWe Heat Pipe Central Receiver Gas-Turbine Power Plant has been developed. The heat pipe central solar receiver uses heat pipes to transform the concentrated high solar heat flux at the receiver into a lower heat flux compatible with gas heat-transfer systems. Several Brayton cycles were studied to determine which cycles and operating conditions are technically and economically most viable for a central receiver power plant. A regenerative open-gas cycle with an inlet turbine temperature of 816/sup 0/C (1500/sup 0/F) was selected. The turbine-generator and receiver are located at the top of a steel tower, with a north field of 2-axis tracking heliostats. The system can be adapted for operation as a hybrid plant, providing a higher level of availability and a dependable generating capacity - important considerations from the utility point of view. The predicted cycle efficiency is 33 to 38%, and the overall solar-to-electric efficiency is 19.1 to 22.3%. Capital cost of the plant is estimated to be in the $1,947 to $2,002/kW range, depending on the assumed cost for the collector system. Compared with a water/steam solar system, estimated costs in mid-1978 dollars are lower and plant efficiency is superior.