Glasshouse-enclosed parabolic trough for direct steam generation for solar thermal-enhanced oil recovery (EOR) – energy performance assessment

Abstract

ABSTRACT The present experimental work was carried out on a live plant at Sultanate of Oman for enhanced crude oil recovery by steam injection. The plant mainly consists of Glasshouse enclosed Parabolic Trough Collectors for direct steam generation at large scale. Energy performance aspects and losses occurred during the energy conversion were assessed in detailed for an evaporator loop of the plant. It was explored that the overall efficiency and losses of the installation are in the range of 46–56% and 44–54%. Energy received from the sun was in the range of 4800–6150 kW. Useful energy for steam generation varied between 2420 and 3210 kW. The maximum energy loss due to the glasshouse enclosure was about 460 kW. Similarly, radiation concentration and thermal losses were in the range of 1060–1480 kW and 480–520 kW, respectively. Both the quality and quantity of the steam generation increased significantly with increasing solar irradiation. As the energy losses occurring due to solar radiation concentration on to the receiver tubes were higher than all other kinds of losses, design parameters of trough need to be optimized in view of incidence angle, shadowing effects, and tracking errors. Detailed thermal efficiency and energy loss analysis could support to overcome the design challenges and find the opportunities for further optimization in design and development and eventually helps to reduce high capital cost for Glasshouse Enclosed Parabolic Trough installations.