Dynamic simulation and performance analysis of a parabolic trough concentrated solar power plant using molten salt during the start-up process

Abstract

Daily start-up is a typical feature of concentrated solar power plants (CSPs) due to solar energy intermittency. Therefore, appropriate start-up operation strategies are significant for CSPs. A parabolic trough concentrated solar power plant (PTCSP) with molten salt (MS) is a potential technical route. However, little attention has been paid to the dynamic start-up performance of PTCSP using MS. To mend the research gap, the dynamic start-up simulation of PTCSP using MS is conducted. Main contributions of this study are the dynamic start-up simulation of PTCSP using MS and evaluation of two MS anti-freezing solutions. Results indicate that the outlet MS temperature of solar field transiently exceeds nominal values during start-up processes. The inlet feedwater temperature of the preheater is much lower than MS freezing temperature during start-up processes. Therefore, two anti-freezing solutions were used to avoid MS solidification. Compared with utilizing the recirculating pump, utilizing the low-load regenerative heater can enhance anti-freezing performance, which could reduce the maximum control deviation of the preheater inlet feedwater temperature by 2.0 °C and increase the average outlet MS temperature of the preheater by 2.4 °C. This study may provide guidance for the dynamic simulation and operation optimization of CSPs during start-up processes.