A solar dynamic (SD) power system composed of a concentrating solar collector and an irreversible Brayton cycle system is set up, where the heat losses of the collector are dominated by the radiation, the heat transfer between the collector and the Brayton cycle system obeys Newton’s law, and the heat transfer between the Brayton cycle system and the ambient obeys the radiant heat transfer law. The cycle model is used to investigate synthetically the influence of the radiant heat losses of the collector, the finite-rate heat transfer, and the irreversible adiabatic processes in the Brayton cycle system on the performance of a space SD power Brayton system. The overall efficiency of the system and the other performance parameters are optimized. The optimal values of the important parameters and their corresponding upper or lower bounds are determined. Finally, the optimal performance of an endoreversible SD power Carnot system is simply derived.

Issue Section:
Technical Briefs
Keywords:
thermodynamics, Brayton cycle, heat transfer, solar absorber-convertors, solar power satellites, space power generation, Carnot cycle, solar dynamic power system, Newton’s law, radiant heat transfer law, optimization
Topics:
Brayton cycle, Heat transfer, Optimization, Power systems (Machinery), Solar energy, Temperature, Radiant heat, Cycles, Solar collectors, Design
1.
Hendricks
,
T. J.
, and
Huang
,
C.
, 2000, “
High-Performance Radial AMTEC Cell Design for Ultra-High-Power Solar AMTEC Systems
,”
J. Sol. Energy Eng.
0199-6231,
122
, pp.
49
–
55
.
Crossref
Search ADS
 
2.
Raja
,
R. M.
, 2003, “
Space Solar Cells-Trade Off Analysis
,”
Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells
0927-0248,
77
, pp.
175
–
208
.
3.
Staff of Solar Dynamic System Branch, 1993, “
Solar Dynamic Power System Development for Space Station Freedom
,” Lewis Research Center, Cleveland, OH, NASA reference publication, p.
1310
.
4.
Calopgeras
,
J. E.
,
Dustin
,
M. O.
, and
Secunde
,
R. R.
, 1991, “
Solar Dynamic Power for Earth Orbital and Lunar Application
,” NASA TM 104511.
5.
Diao
,
Z. G.
, 1992, “
Performance Evaluation of Space Solar Brayton Power System
,” ASME, Paper 92-GT-96.
6.
Wu
,
Y.
,
Ren
,
J.
,
Guo
,
Z.
,
Liang
,
X.
, 2003, “
Optimal Analysis of A Space Solar Dynamic Power System
,”
Space Energy and Transportation
,
74
, pp.
205
–
215
.
7.
Badescu
,
V.
, 1995, “
Optimization of A Solar Space Power System on the Thermodynamic Cycles
,”
Int. J. Sol. Energy
0142-5919,
16
, pp.
263
–
275
.
Crossref
Search ADS
 
8.
Chen
,
J.
, 1997, “
The Maximum Efficiency of Solar Radiant Engine
,”
Solar Energy and Transportation
,
2
, pp.
197
–
205
.
9.
Badescu
,
V.
, 2004, “
Simulation of A Solar Stirling Engine Operation under Various Weather Conditions on Mars
,”
J. Sol. Energy Eng.
0199-6231,
126
, pp.
813
–
818
.
10.
Blank
,
D. A.
, and
Wu
,
C.
, 1995, “
Power Optimization of An Extra-Terrestrial, Solar Radiant Stirling Heat Engine
,”
Energy
0360-5442,
20
, pp.
523
–
530
.
Crossref
Search ADS
 
11.
Audy
,
Ch.
,
Fischer
,
M.
, and
Messerschmid
,
E. W.
, 1999, “
Nonsteady Behaviour of Solar Dynamic Power Systems With Strling Cycle for Space Stations
,”
Aerosp. Sci. Technol.
1270-9638,
1
, pp.
49
–
58
.
12.
Blank
,
D. A.
, and
Wu
,
C.
, 1998, “
Finite-Time Power Limit for Solar-Radiant Ericsson Engines in Space Applications
,”
Appl. Therm. Eng.
1359-4311,
18
, pp.
1347
–
1357
.
Crossref
Search ADS
 
13.
Arkhangelsky
,
V. I.
,
Chvanov
,
V. K.
,
Pavlov
,
K. A.
, and
Samsonov
,
V. L.
, 1995, “
Space Closed Brayton Power System Technique
,”
Proceedings of the European Space Power Conference
Paris
, France.
14.
Wong
,
R. Y.
,
Klassen
,
H. A.
, and
Evans
,
R. C.
, 1970, “
Effect of Operating Parameters on Net Power Output of a 2-to-10-kilowatt Brayton Rotating Component
,” NASA, TN D-5815.
15.
Klann
,
L. J.
, 1970, “
Steady-State Analysis of A Brayton Space Power System
,” NASA, TN D-5673.
16.
Mock
,
E. A.
, 1977, “
Closed Cycle Gas Turbine Optimization-Procedures and Examples
,”
Air Research Report
,
31
, p.
2635
.
17.
Lior
,
N.
, 1997, “
Advanced Energy Conversion to Power
,”
Energy Convers. Manage.
0196-8904,
38
, pp.
941
–
955
.
Crossref
Search ADS
 
18.
Glassman
,
A. J.
, and
Staward
,
W. I.
, 1963, “
A Look at the Thermodynamic Characteristics of Brayton Cycle for Space Power
,”
AIAA J.
0001-1452,
63
,
218
.
19.
Harper
,
W. B.
,
Boyle
,
V. B.
, and
Kudija
,
C. T.
, 1990, “
Solar Dynamic CBC Power for Space Station Freedom
,” ASME, Paper 90-GT-78.
20.
Chen
,
J.
, 1996, “
Thermodynamic Analysis of A Solar-Driven Thermoelectric Generator
,”
J. Appl. Phys.
0021-8979,
79
, pp.
2717
–
2721
.
Crossref
Search ADS
 
21.
Yan
,
Z.
, and
Chen
,
J.
, 1997, “
Optimal Performance of A Solar-Driven Heat Engine System at Maximum Overall Efficiency
,”
Int. J. Power Energy Syst.
0226-1472,
17
, pp.
103
–
106
.
22.
Salah
,
E. M. M.
, 1999, “
Thermodynamic Optimization of Irreversible Solar Heat Engines
,”
Renewable Energy
0960-1481,
17
, pp.
183
–
190
.
23.
Kandpal
,
T. C.
,
Singhal
,
A. K.
, and
Mathur
,
S. S.
, 1983, “
Optimum Power From A Solar Thermal Plant Using Solar Concentrators
,”
Energy Convers. Manage.
0196-8904,
23
, pp.
103
–
106
.
Crossref
Search ADS
 
24.
Badescu
,
V.
, 1996, “
Optimum Design and Operation of a Dynamic Solar Power System
,”
Energy Convers. Manage.
0196-8904,
37
, pp.
151
–
160
.
Crossref
Search ADS
 
25.
Wu
,
C.
, and
Kiang
,
R.
, 1991, “
Power Performance of A Nonisentropic Brayton Cycle
,”
ASME J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power
0742-4795,
113
, pp.
501
–
504
.
Crossref
Search ADS
 
26.
Wu
,
C.
,
Chen
,
L.
, and
Chen
,
J.
, 1999,
Recent Advances in Finite-Time Thermodynamics
,
Nova Sci. Publishers, Inc.
,
New York
.
27.
Kreider
,
J. F.
, and
Kreith
,
F.
, 1982,
Solar Heating and Cooling: Active and Passive Design
,
Hemisphere Publishing Corp.
,
Washington
.
28.
Böer
,
K.
, 1983,
Advances in Solar Energy
, Vol.
1
,
American Solar Energy Society
,
Boulder
, CO, pp.
209
–
240
.
Copyright © 2006
 by American Society of Mechanical Engineers
You do not currently have access to this content.