A sodium thermal electrochemical converter (Na-TEC) converts heat directly into electricity without moving parts by isothermal expansion of ions through beta”-alumina solid-electrolyte (BASE). These generators are most similar to thermoelectric generators; however, they are considerably more efficient than the best performing thermoelectric materials. While these heat engines have been considered for CSP applications, literature review found that the efficiency of single-stage Na-TEC could readily achieve 20% even though ideal cycle efficiencies predict above 45% efficiency at elevated temperatures. Thermal parasitic loss has been identified to be responsible for the largest drop in the efficiency. Our recent study shows that staging helps to improve thermal management of the Na-TEC, due to the lower average temperature of the device, which can reduce the thermal parasitic loss. We demonstrate that dual-stage device can improve the efficiency by up to 8% over the best performing single-stage device. We are currently designing and developing a modular dual-stage Na-TEC power block with target efficiency of 33%. We emphasize modularity because this power block can be potentially deployed for both small-scale dish solar, which is appropriate for distributed residential scale (2–3 kWe), and large-scale heliostats and parabolic trough CSP, which is appropriate for centralized industrial scale. A fundamental cost-scaling relationship for this technology was developed based on this design. System variables and component manufacturing methods with material selection for processes were established. The current off-the-shelf component costs indicated an overnight capital cost of $2,044/kWe. The costs of BASE, manufacturing, and electrode preparation have driven the overall price of the module. The paper demonstrates $/W design optimization and cost scaling analysis to reduce the system capital $/W metric below $ 1,500/kWe, with the goal being to achieve the cost target of <900/kWe set by Department of Energy’s Sun Shot Initiative.
Skip Nav Destination
ASME 2018 12th International Conference on Energy Sustainability collocated with the ASME 2018 Power Conference and the ASME 2018 Nuclear Forum
June 24–28, 2018
Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA
Conference Sponsors:
- Advanced Energy Systems Division
- Solar Energy Division
ISBN:
978-0-7918-5141-8
PROCEEDINGS PAPER
Techno-Economic Analysis of Dual-Stage Sodium Thermal Electrochemical Converter (Na-TEC) Power Block for Distributed CSP
Andrey Gunawan,
Andrey Gunawan
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
Search for other works by this author on:
Alexander Limia,
Alexander Limia
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
Search for other works by this author on:
Jong Min Ha,
Jong Min Ha
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
Search for other works by this author on:
Peter A. Kottke,
Peter A. Kottke
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
Search for other works by this author on:
Seung Woo Lee,
Seung Woo Lee
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
Search for other works by this author on:
Andrei G. Fedorov,
Andrei G. Fedorov
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
Search for other works by this author on:
Shannon K. Yee
Shannon K. Yee
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
Search for other works by this author on:
Andrey Gunawan
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
Alexander Limia
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
Jong Min Ha
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
Peter A. Kottke
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
Seung Woo Lee
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
Andrei G. Fedorov
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
Shannon K. Yee
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
Paper No:
ES2018-7505, V001T11A008; 4 pages
Published Online:
October 4, 2018
Citation
Gunawan, A, Limia, A, Ha, JM, Kottke, PA, Lee, SW, Fedorov, AG, & Yee, SK. "Techno-Economic Analysis of Dual-Stage Sodium Thermal Electrochemical Converter (Na-TEC) Power Block for Distributed CSP." Proceedings of the ASME 2018 12th International Conference on Energy Sustainability collocated with the ASME 2018 Power Conference and the ASME 2018 Nuclear Forum. ASME 2018 12th International Conference on Energy Sustainability. Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA. June 24–28, 2018. V001T11A008. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/ES2018-7505
Download citation file:
33
Views
Related Proceedings Papers
PEMFC Stack Activation Through Thermal Management
FUELCELL2013
Related Articles
Optimization of a Point-Focusing, Distributed Receiver Solar Thermal Electric System
J. Sol. Energy Eng (November,1980)
Solar Thermochemical Water-Splitting Ferrite-Cycle Heat Engines
J. Sol. Energy Eng (November,2008)
Thermal Integral Micro-Generation Systems for Solar and Conventional Use
J. Sol. Energy Eng (May,2002)
Related Chapters
Thermoelectric Coolers
Thermal Management of Microelectronic Equipment
Physiology of Human Power Generation
Design of Human Powered Vehicles
Outlook
Closed-Cycle Gas Turbines: Operating Experience and Future Potential