Transient simulation of the MDAC receiver test panel in its STTF test configuration

Abstract

The initial transient simulation of the McDonnell-Douglas (MDAC) receiver experiment integrated with the Solar Thermal Test Facility (STTF) configuration is described. The recently developed STTF computer simulation program was used for the simulation. The program was amended to include MDAC receiver experiment and the hardware modifications to the STTF facility as required to support the experiment. The thermal-hydraulic transients of the MDAC once-through steam generator for the 10 MW/sub t/ Solar Thermal Pilot Plant are essential in the study of the overall system performance of the receiver as well as for the design of its control system. The computer program was used to simulate the transient and steady-state characteristics and performance of the receiver test panel and to study key technical areas such as receiver panel/controller interaction and response. The program was also used to simulate part of the MDAC receiver test program at the STTF. The STTF computer simulation program was first modified to incorporate facilities changes for the MDAC test configuration. The original program contained individual modules to simulate the collector field, cooling subsystem, steam depressurization/desuperheat subsystem, feedwater and control subsystems. The feedwater module was modified to add the new regenerative heat exchanger which is required to increase feed water temperature to the MDAC receiver. A new subroutine was developed to simulate the MDAC receiver panel and the control module was modified to reflect MDAC experiment requirements.The completed program was then used to study some key technical issues including: 1) partial simulation of the panel test program at STTF; 2) receiver panel/controller interaction/response; and 3) receiver panel steady state and transient characteristics.