Performance and Optimization of a Novel Combined Solar Heating Plant with Flat Plate Collectors and Parabolic Trough Collectors in Series for District Heating
Abstract
More than 1.3 million m2 solar heating plants are in operation in Denmark by the end of 2016. Most existing collectors in the solar heating plant are flat plate collectors. To maximize the advantages of flat plate collectors and parabolic trough collectors in large solar heating plants for a district heating network, a novel combined solar collector field with 5960 m2 flat plate collectors (FPC) and 4039 m2 parabolic trough collectors (PTC) in series has been constructed in Taars, Denmark. The design domain variables of the combined solar heating plant require to be considered in the optimization routine to get the optimal performance of such plant. A validated TRNSYS-Genopt model was set up to optimize key design parameters and investigate the potential performance of the combined solar heating plant. It is found that the design concept of hybrid solar heating plants with flat plate collector and parabolic trough collectors in series can be feasible in Denmark. The results of optimal design parameters could guide engineers and designers in the design, construction and control of large-scale combined solar heating plants.