Full-day dynamic characteristics analysis of a solar aided coal-fired power plant in fuel saving mode

Abstract

Solar aided (coal-fired) power generation (SAPG) technology has been rapidly developed over the last few years for its fewer coal consumption rate than the original coal-fired power plant and the lower initial investment than the solar alone thermal power generation. However, due to the frequent variation of meteorological conditions, the operation behaviors of the SAPG plant are ever-changing. In this paper, according to the transient models of SAPG plant, the continuous operation behaviors of a 330 MW SAPG system in a full day are studied. The coupling and decoupling times of the solar field are optimized, and variations of oil and feed water parameters in the solar field during the coupling and decoupling processes are discussed. Besides, some dynamic thermal performances of the SAPG system are studied under the control strategy of maintaining the solar field outlet heat transfer fluid (HTF) temperature constant when the direct normal irradiance (DNI) varies. The research results indicate that during a whole day, the main operating parameters of the SAPG system can operate within the safety ranges, and the system power generation almost keeps 330 MW constant, both the solar output power and the carbon dioxide emission reductions are 207.7 MWh and 186.7t/day, respectively.