Development of dish-stirling concentrating solar thermal-electric energy conversion system /

Sunlight is the world’s largest renewable energy source. Using the existing technologies, this energy can provide the needs of all the people on Earth. By increasing the solar-to-electric energy conversion efficiency while maintaining the cost and lifespan of a machine, conventional photovoltaic tec...

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Main Author: Gan, Leong Ming
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: 2012
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Online Access:http://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/7578/1/CD6706.pdf
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spelling my-ump-ir.75782021-08-16T05:29:00Z Development of dish-stirling concentrating solar thermal-electric energy conversion system / 2012 Gan, Leong Ming TJ Mechanical engineering and machinery Sunlight is the world’s largest renewable energy source. Using the existing technologies, this energy can provide the needs of all the people on Earth. By increasing the solar-to-electric energy conversion efficiency while maintaining the cost and lifespan of a machine, conventional photovoltaic technology is being progressively challenged by concentrated solar thermal engine technology especially in large scale power plant. For local research, the limitation of technological development between technical potential and practical utilisation of solar energy becomes one of the reasons behind the minimum growth of solar energy field. Owning a local renewable energy conversion system means decrease fossil fuel dependability, secure near to long term power supply chain and hence enhances economic development. In order to develop local expertise with low production cost, full scaled dish-Stirling CST based on DNI solar flux modules were prototyped. The development of the research began with a preliminary assessment on a 2m diameter manual operated ideal paraboloid concentrating dish prototype. Based on the important design parameters and followed by rigorous system design principles, an 8m diameter combined paraboloid-Fresnel concentrating dish with low focus height, low dish height and minimal wind resistance was designed and constructed. Using the hydraulic-electric two-axis solar tracking system, the proposed system was able to move 0-90 o in Azimuth axis and +/-180 in elevation axis for the full day solar tracking with the consideration of yearly solar path variation. For the thermal-to-mechanical energy conversion, a compact and superior combination of square configuration, four cylinders rhombic drive beta drive mechanism Stirling engine system was integrated with the concentrating dish and tracking mechanism. Throughout the research and development, detailed investigations were conducted to achieve correct operation of the actual prototype. Referring to the 3D model, these studies, including a 3D ray trace analysis on the dish’s focal region solar flux concentration pattern, influent of Azimuth angle offset on the thermal receiver performance, air flow simulation on +/- 0 to 28m/s wind load, coefficient of drag comparison and stress distribution due to wind and structural loads. From the computational and operating analysis, the paraboloid-Fresnel dish showed 34.9 to 38.3% of wind load reduction compared with ideal paraboloid design, low C in between 0.077 to 0.76 depends on wind flow direction and rotating angle. Together with structural mass, stress simulation indicated maximum stress of 320.6MN/m and was validated with six components failure. Meanwhile, practical model showed 51% of structural stress reduction after continuous design improvement. Next, focal region temperature readings were recorded under various circumferences, and maximum concentrated temperature of 357 o C had agreed the research hypothesis that specific thermal receiver design can store the solar flux at higher intensity. After several cranking tests, the prototype Stirling engine was unable to start as designed due to scattered solar thermal distribution. Based on Schmidt’s analysis, the predicted engine output power was 6.03kW. Considering the total energy consumption for PLC, electric motor, hydraulic system and auxiliary system, the net power output was predicted at 5.759kW. Based on 1000W/m solar DNI, the energy conversion efficiency for 8m diameter concentrating dish was predicted at 11.52%. 2012 Thesis http://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/7578/ http://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/7578/1/CD6706.pdf application/pdf en public phd doctoral Universiti Malaysia Pahang Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
institution Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah
collection UMPSA Institutional Repository
language English
topic TJ Mechanical engineering and machinery
spellingShingle TJ Mechanical engineering and machinery
Gan, Leong Ming
Development of dish-stirling concentrating solar thermal-electric energy conversion system /
description Sunlight is the world’s largest renewable energy source. Using the existing technologies, this energy can provide the needs of all the people on Earth. By increasing the solar-to-electric energy conversion efficiency while maintaining the cost and lifespan of a machine, conventional photovoltaic technology is being progressively challenged by concentrated solar thermal engine technology especially in large scale power plant. For local research, the limitation of technological development between technical potential and practical utilisation of solar energy becomes one of the reasons behind the minimum growth of solar energy field. Owning a local renewable energy conversion system means decrease fossil fuel dependability, secure near to long term power supply chain and hence enhances economic development. In order to develop local expertise with low production cost, full scaled dish-Stirling CST based on DNI solar flux modules were prototyped. The development of the research began with a preliminary assessment on a 2m diameter manual operated ideal paraboloid concentrating dish prototype. Based on the important design parameters and followed by rigorous system design principles, an 8m diameter combined paraboloid-Fresnel concentrating dish with low focus height, low dish height and minimal wind resistance was designed and constructed. Using the hydraulic-electric two-axis solar tracking system, the proposed system was able to move 0-90 o in Azimuth axis and +/-180 in elevation axis for the full day solar tracking with the consideration of yearly solar path variation. For the thermal-to-mechanical energy conversion, a compact and superior combination of square configuration, four cylinders rhombic drive beta drive mechanism Stirling engine system was integrated with the concentrating dish and tracking mechanism. Throughout the research and development, detailed investigations were conducted to achieve correct operation of the actual prototype. Referring to the 3D model, these studies, including a 3D ray trace analysis on the dish’s focal region solar flux concentration pattern, influent of Azimuth angle offset on the thermal receiver performance, air flow simulation on +/- 0 to 28m/s wind load, coefficient of drag comparison and stress distribution due to wind and structural loads. From the computational and operating analysis, the paraboloid-Fresnel dish showed 34.9 to 38.3% of wind load reduction compared with ideal paraboloid design, low C in between 0.077 to 0.76 depends on wind flow direction and rotating angle. Together with structural mass, stress simulation indicated maximum stress of 320.6MN/m and was validated with six components failure. Meanwhile, practical model showed 51% of structural stress reduction after continuous design improvement. Next, focal region temperature readings were recorded under various circumferences, and maximum concentrated temperature of 357 o C had agreed the research hypothesis that specific thermal receiver design can store the solar flux at higher intensity. After several cranking tests, the prototype Stirling engine was unable to start as designed due to scattered solar thermal distribution. Based on Schmidt’s analysis, the predicted engine output power was 6.03kW. Considering the total energy consumption for PLC, electric motor, hydraulic system and auxiliary system, the net power output was predicted at 5.759kW. Based on 1000W/m solar DNI, the energy conversion efficiency for 8m diameter concentrating dish was predicted at 11.52%.
format Thesis
qualification_name Doctor of Philosophy (PhD.)
qualification_level Doctorate
author Gan, Leong Ming
author_facet Gan, Leong Ming
author_sort Gan, Leong Ming
title Development of dish-stirling concentrating solar thermal-electric energy conversion system /
title_short Development of dish-stirling concentrating solar thermal-electric energy conversion system /
title_full Development of dish-stirling concentrating solar thermal-electric energy conversion system /
title_fullStr Development of dish-stirling concentrating solar thermal-electric energy conversion system /
title_full_unstemmed Development of dish-stirling concentrating solar thermal-electric energy conversion system /
title_sort development of dish-stirling concentrating solar thermal-electric energy conversion system /
granting_institution Universiti Malaysia Pahang
granting_department Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
publishDate 2012
url http://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/7578/1/CD6706.pdf
_version_ 1783731927099899904