Solar Tower Power Plant Performance Characteristics

Thesis (MScIng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study investigates energy generation by large-scale solar tower power
plants. The performance characteristics of a so-called reference plant with a
4000 m diameter glass collector roof and a 1500 m high, 160 m diameter tower
are determined for a site located in South Africa. The relevant draught and
conservation equations are derived, discretized and implemented in a numerical
model which solves the equations using speci ed meteorological input data and
determines the power delivered by the plant.
The power output of a solar tower power plant over a twenty-four hour
period is presented. Corresponding temperature distributions in the ground
under the collector are shown. Variations in seasonal generation are evaluated
and the total annual electrical output is determined. The dependency of
the power output on collector diameter and tower height is illustrated, while
showing that greater power production can be facilitated by optimizing the
roof shape and height. The minor in uence of the tower shadow falling across
the collector is evaluated, while the e ect of prevailing winds on the power
generated is found to be signi cant. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie ondersoek elektrisiteitsopwekking deur grootskaalse sontoringkragstasies.
Die uitsetkarakteristieke van 'n sogenaamde verwysings-kragstasie
met 'n 4000 m deursnee glas kollektor en 'n 1500 m hoë, 160 m deursnee toring
word ondersoek vir 'n spesi eke ligging in Suid-Afrika. Die toepaslike trek- en
behoudsvergelykings word afgelei, gediskretiseer en geimplementeer in 'n numeriese
rekenaarmodel. Die rekenaarmodel los die betrokke vergelykings op
deur gebruik te maak van gespesi seerde meteorologiese invoerdata en bepaal
dan die uitset gelewer deur die kragstasie.
Die uitset van 'n sontoring-kragstasie oor 'n periode van vier-en-twintig uur
word getoon. Ooreenstemmende temperatuurverdelings in die grond onder die
kollektor word geïllustreer. Die variasie in seisoenale elektrisiteitsopwekking
word ondersoek en die totale jaarlikse elektriese uitset bepaal. Die invloed wat
die kragstasie dimensies (kollektor deursnee en toring hoogte) op die uitset het,
word bestudeer en resultate getoon. Daar is ook bevind dat verhoogde uitset
meegebring kan word deur die vorm en hoogte van die kollektordak te optimeer.
Die geringe e ek van die toringskadu op die kollektor word bespreek, terwyl
bevind is dat heersende winde 'n beduidende e ek op die kragstasie uitset het.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/16413
Date04 1900
CreatorsPretorius, Johannes Petrus
ContributorsKroger, D. G., Von Backstrom, T. W., University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering.
PublisherStellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Source SetsSouth African National ETD Portal
Languageen_ZA
Detected LanguageUnknown
TypeThesis
Formatxx, 156 leaves : ill.
RightsUniversity of Stellenbosch

Page generated in 0.0024 seconds