Direct steam generation collectors are considered with the aim to improve the performance of a parabolic trough collector leading to a reduction of operating costs of solar electric generation systems. In this study a hydrodynamic steady state model is developed and linked with a thermal model to optimize the performance of once-through direct steam generation solar collectors. The hydrodynamic model includes flow pattern classification and a pressure drop model. Flow pattern maps for typical DSG collectors with horizontal and inclined absorber tubes are generated to investigate the variation of flow conditions with radiation level, tube diameter, tube length and flow rate. Two-phase flow frictional pressure drop correlations for the range of operating conditions in a DSG collector are selected from the wide range of published correlations by comparison with experimental data for typical steam-water flow conditions in a DSG collector. Pressure drop is calculated for different operating conditions for both horizontal and inclined solar absorber tubes. Alternative operational strategies are evaluated to achieve optimum performance of a direct steam generation collector at different radiation levels. [S0199-6231(00)00101-5]

Issue Section:
Technical Papers
Keywords:
solar energy conversion, solar energy concentrators, steam, hydrodynamics, pipe flow, heat exchangers
Topics:
Flow (Dynamics), Pressure drop, Steam, Water, Radiation (Physics)
1.
Mu¨ller
,
M.
,
1991
, “
Test Loop for Research on Direct Steam Generation in Parabolic Trough Power Plants
,”
Sol. Energy Mater.
,
24
, pp.
222
–
230
.
2.
Mu¨ller M., 1994, “Direct Solar Steam in Parabolic Trough Collectors DISS, Pre-Design of a Flexible PSA-Based Test Facility,” Plataforma Solar De Almeria, 84-605-1479-X.
3.
Cohen G., and Kearney D., 1994, “Improved Parabolic Trough Solar Electric Systems Based on the SEGS Experience,” SOLAR 94, American Solar Energy Society, pp. 147–150.
4.
Dagan, E., Muller M., and Lippke F., 1992, “Direct Steam Generation in the Parabolic Trough Collector,” Report of Plataform Solar de Almeria-Madrid.
5.
Lippke
,
F.
,
1996
, “
Direct Steam Generation in Parabolic Trough Solar Power Plants: Numerical Investigation of the Transients and the Control of a Once–Through System
,”
ASME J. Sol. Energy Eng.
,
118
, pp.
9
–
14
.
6.
Odeh
,
S.
,
Morrison
,
G. L.
, and
Behnia
,
M.
,
1998
, “
Modelling of Parabolic Trough Direct Steam Generation Solar Collectors
,”
Sol. Energy
,
62
, pp.
395
–
406
.
7.
Ajona J. I., Herrmann U., Sperduto F., and Farinha M. J., 1996, “Main Achievements Within ARDISS Advanced Receiver for Direct Solar Stream Production in Parabolic Trough Solar Power Plant Project,” Proceedings of 8th International Symposium on Solar Thermal Concentrating Technology, Vol. 2, pp. 33–753, Mu¨ller Verlag, Germany.
8.
Mandhane
,
J. M.
,
Gregory
,
G. A.
, and
Aziz
,
K.
,
1974
, “
A Flow Pattern Map for Gas-Liquid Flow in Horizontal Pipes
,”
Int. J. Multiphase Flow
,
1
, pp.
537
–
553
.
9.
Taitel
,
Y.
, and
Dukler
,
A. E.
,
1976
, “
A Model for Predicting Flow Regime Transitions in Horizontal and Near Horizontal Gas Liquid Flow
,”
AIChE. J.
,
22
, pp.
47
–
55
.
10.
Barnea
,
D.
,
1987
, “
A Unified Model for Predicting Flow Pattern Transition for the Whole Range of Pipe Inclinations
,”
Int. J. Multiphase Flow
,
13
, pp.
1
–
12
.
11.
Taitel Y., 1990, “Flow Pattern Transition in Two Phase Flow,” Proceeding of the 9th International Heat Transfer Conference, Hemisphere P. C., New York, Vol. 1, pp. 237–253.
12.
Mandhane
,
J. M.
,
Gregory
,
G. A.
, and
Aziz
,
K.
,
1977
, “
Critical Evaluation of Friction Pressure Drop Prediction Method for Gas Liquid Flow in Horizontal Pipes
,”
J. Pet. Technol.
,
29
, pp.
1348
–
1358
.
13.
Michael
,
E. F.
, and
Spedding
,
P. L.
,
1995
, “
Measurement and Prediction of Pressure Drop in Two Phase Flow
,”
J. Chem. Tech. Biotechnol.
,
63
, pp.
262
–
278
.
14.
Martinelli
,
R. C.
, and
Nelson
,
D. B.
,
1948
, “
Prediction of Pressure Drop During Forced Circulation Boiling of Water
,”
Trans. ASME
,
70
, pp.
695
–
701
.
15.
Thom
,
J. R. S.
,
1964
, “
Prediction of Pressure Drop During Forced Circulation Boiling of Water
,”
Int. J. Heat Mass Transf.
,
7
, pp.
709
–
724
.
16.
Idsinga
,
W.
,
Todreas
,
N.
, and
Bowring
,
R.
,
1977
, “
An Assessment of Two Phase Pressure Drop Correlations for Steam Water System
,”
Int. J. Multiphase Flow
,
3
, pp.
401
–
413
.
17.
Manzano R. J., Hernandez A., Grases P., Zagustan K., Kastner W., Kefer V., Koehler W., and Kraetzer W., 1987, “Pressure Drop in Steam-Water Flow Through Large Bore Horizontal Piping,” 3rd International Conference on Multi Phase Flow, BHRA, The Fluid Engineering Center, Bedford, England, pp. 139–147.
18.
Antipov
,
V. G.
,
1992
, “
Pressure Drop in Steam Generating Channels
,”
Heat Transfer Res.
,
24
, pp.
457
–
464
.
19.
Barnea
,
D.
,
Shoham
,
O.
,
Taitel
,
Y.
, and
Dukler
,
A. E.
,
1985
, “
Gas-Liquid Flow in Inclined Tubes: Flow Pattern Transition for Upward Flow
,”
Chem. Eng. Sci.
,
40
, pp.
131
–
136
.
20.
Lin
,
P. Y.
, and
Hanratty
,
T. J.
,
1986
, “
Prediction of the Initiation of Slug with Linear Stability Theory
,”
Int. J. Multiphase Flow
,
12
, pp.
77
–
98
.
21.
Hanratty
,
T. J.
,
1987
, “
Gas-Liquid Flow in Pipelines
,”
PCH, PhysicoChem. Hydrodyn.
,
9
, pp.
101
–
114
.
22.
Stephan K., 1992, Heat Transfer in Condensation and Boiling, Springer-Verlag, New York, pp. 174–230.
23.
Olujic
,
Z.
,
1985
, “
Predicting Two Phase Flow Friction Loss in Horizontal Pipes
,”
Chem. Eng.
,
92
, pp.
45
–
50
.
24.
Chawla
,
J. M.
,
1972
, “
Frictional Pressure Drop in the Flow of Liquid/Gas Mixtures in Horizontal Pipes,” (in German
),
Chem. Eng. Technol.
,
44
, pp.
58
–
63
.
25.
Brown Boveri Co., 1986, “Report on SEGS 6 Boiler Mode with Reheat Cycle,” Program HT 452, HTGD 344082.
Copyright © 2000
 by ASME
You do not currently have access to this content.