sci.energy

On Mar 1, 10:50=A0am, Alex wrote:
> Just a thought ...
>
> Has anyone tried using solar thermal power as a pre-heater for thermal
> power stations (gas or coal?)

Pre-heaters aren't much use in thermal-cycle power stations, other
than for
internal recirculations. Since most large power stations have
large waste heat dumping areas.


>
> Imagine a 20 Hectare solar collector field supplying about 200MW of
> heat. This is used to preheat air and natural gas, prior to combustion
> in gas turbines.
>
> Input: 200MW solar and 800MW gas
> Output: 500MW electric
>
> Advantages:
>
> - The heat is converted to electricity at an effective efficiency of
> that of the plant, about 50% for gas turbines.
> - The circulatory fluid is only heated to about 200-300C - quite
> manageable with limited losses
> - The heat can be stored in a molten salt and released when there's no
> sun
>
> Any problems with this?