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Incorporating the Concept of Flexible Operation in the Design of Solar Collector Fields for Industrial Applications

Author

Listed:
  • Guillermo Martínez-Rodríguez

    (Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Guanajuato, Guanajuato 36050, Mexico)

  • Amanda L. Fuentes-Silva

    (Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Guanajuato, Guanajuato 36050, Mexico)

  • Juan R. Lizárraga-Morazán

    (Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Guanajuato, Guanajuato 36050, Mexico)

  • Martín Picón-Núñez

    (Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Guanajuato, Guanajuato 36050, Mexico)

Abstract

This work introduces the concept of flexible operation in the design of solar thermal utility systems for low temperature processes. The design objectives are: (a) The supply of the thermal needs of the process (heat duty and minimum required temperature), and (b) the maximization of the operating time during the day. The approach shows how the network structure is defined by adjusting the mass flow rate and the inlet temperature of the working fluid to achieve the smallest collector surface area. This work emphasizes the need to specify the solar network structure, which is comprised of two main elements: The number of lines in parallel and the number of collectors in series in each line. The former of these two design specifications is related to the heat load that the system will supply, while the latter is directly related to the delivery temperature. A stepwise design approach is demonstrated using two case studies where it is shown that the detailed design of the solar collector network structure is fundamental for a successful thermal integration with minimum investment. In this paper, the design methodology is based on flat-plate solar collectors, but it can be extended to any other type of low temperature solar technology.

Suggested Citation

  • Guillermo Martínez-Rodríguez & Amanda L. Fuentes-Silva & Juan R. Lizárraga-Morazán & Martín Picón-Núñez, 2019. "Incorporating the Concept of Flexible Operation in the Design of Solar Collector Fields for Industrial Applications," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-20, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:3:p:570-:d:205188
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kalogirou, Soteris, 2003. "The potential of solar industrial process heat applications," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 76(4), pages 337-361, December.
    2. Tian, Zhiyong & Perers, Bengt & Furbo, Simon & Fan, Jianhua, 2018. "Analysis and validation of a quasi-dynamic model for a solar collector field with flat plate collectors and parabolic trough collectors in series for district heating," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 130-138.
    3. Quijera, José Antonio & Alriols, María González & Labidi, Jalel, 2011. "Integration of a solar thermal system in a dairy process," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(6), pages 1843-1853.
    4. Jia, Hao & Cheng, Xiaomei & Zhu, Jingjing & Li, Zhaoling & Guo, Jiansheng, 2018. "Mathematical and experimental analysis on solar thermal energy harvesting performance of the textile-based solar thermal energy collector," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 129(PA), pages 553-560.
    5. Mekhilef, S. & Saidur, R. & Safari, A., 2011. "A review on solar energy use in industries," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(4), pages 1777-1790, May.
    6. Martínez-Rodríguez, Guillermo & Fuentes-Silva, Amanda L. & Picón-Núñez, Martín, 2018. "Solar thermal networks operating with evacuated-tube collectors," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 26-33.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Martínez-Rodríguez, Guillermo & Fuentes-Silva, Amanda L. & Velázquez-Torres, Daniel & Picón-Núñez, Martín, 2022. "Comprehensive solar thermal integration for industrial processes," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(PD).
    2. García-Guendulain, Juan M. & Riesco-Ávila, José M. & Picón-Núñez, Martín, 2020. "Reducing thermal imbalances and flow nonuniformity in solar collectors through the selection of free flow area ratio," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 194(C).
    3. Juan R Lizárraga-Morazán & Guillermo Martínez-Rodríguez & Amanda L Fuentes-Silva & Martín Picón-Núñez, 2021. "Selection of solar collector network design for industrial applications subject to economic and operation criteria," Energy & Environment, , vol. 32(8), pages 1504-1523, December.
    4. Guillermo Martínez-Rodríguez & Cristobal Díaz-de-León & Amanda L. Fuentes-Silva & Juan-Carlos Baltazar & Rafael García-Gutiérrez, 2023. "Detailed Thermo-Economic Assessment of a Heat Pump for Industrial Applications," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-12, March.
    5. Guillermo Martínez-Rodríguez & Héctor H. Silviano-Mendoza & Amanda L. Fuentes-Silva & Juan-Carlos Baltazar, 2024. "Continuous Solar Thermal Energy Production Based on Critical Irradiance Levels for Industrial Applications," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-17, February.
    6. Guillermo Martínez-Rodríguez & Juan-Carlos Baltazar & Amanda L. Fuentes-Silva & Rafael García-Gutiérrez, 2022. "Economic and Environmental Assessment Using Two Renewable Sources of Energy to Produce Heat and Power for Industrial Applications," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-16, March.
    7. Jiří Jaromír Klemeš & Petar Sabev Varbanov & Paweł Ocłoń & Hon Huin Chin, 2019. "Towards Efficient and Clean Process Integration: Utilisation of Renewable Resources and Energy-Saving Technologies," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-32, October.
    8. Martínez-Rodríguez, Guillermo & Baltazar, Juan-Carlos & Fuentes-Silva, Amanda L., 2023. "Heat and electric power production using heat pumps assisted with solar thermal energy for industrial applications," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).

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