Use of Flat Solar Collectors, in Replacement of LPG Gas for Water Pre-Heating, to be Used in Engines of Electric Power Thermal Generation Plants
Abstract
Energy consumption in the world has been growing every year. The industrial sector represents 27.32% of the world energy demand. Implementation of flat solar collectors (temperature > 100°C) replacing the LPG gas to preheat the water used in the electricity industry, for the three engines of the Thermal Power Plant of Electricity Energy Generation – TermoCabo with power 45 MW. Given the importance of the matter, this research project aims a technical analysis and economic evaluation of the use of flat solar collectors, including an analysis in the control system of the plant, besides an adaptation of the collectors to the charge demand and to the thermal energy storage system in order to maintain autonomy of 24 hours. The system consists of a battery of collectors associated to a complex grid of flow control and maintenance of stagnated temperature of 65°C, besides the system working independently, having the heat exchanger as a point of intersection between the primary and the secondary system. The project was planned as three closed and independent systems, because due to load operating complexity (engines) required the collectors independent worked the other parties, and the need to use glycol to increase the boiling water point, plus there a water storage system to maintain the autonomy and the third stage is the engine heating system, which is composed of thermal additive.
Keywords
Flat solar collector, Solar energy, Energy efficiency, Heating system.