Transient simulation for developing a combined solar thermal power plant

In the present article, performing a transient simulation, power expansion of a solar power plant by integrating a new collector and an auxiliary boiler is studied. The new system consists of an oil cycle, a steam cycle and a new extra oil cycle. For analysis, a computer code is developed and experiments are performed to validate the simulation program. Thermal modeling is employed to select the best capacity of different components and operational control philosophy of the new developed power plant system. Based on the selected conditions, annual power generation of solar part and fossil section are determined and compared with conventional power plants using coal and natural gas. From the results it is shown that the considered method of integration can be used for all fossil fuel power plants to reduce fuel consumption by utilizing parabolic collectors for electricity generation. Comparison of the new system with previous arrangement illustrates that various integration schemes can be easily simulated and an appropriate system to satisfy the main design objectives can be chosen. The advantages of using a new external loop to integrate parabolic solar collectors into the previously constructed fossil fuel system are also discussed. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.