Rating and sizing analysis of the solar chimney power plant considering uncertainty in solar radiation and under different load conditions

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe main focus of this research is on modeling and analyzing an industrial-scale solar chimney power plant (SCPP) under actual or realistic conditions. While most of earlier studies considered the steady state kind of solar radiation, this study is based on the assumption of the diffuse and erratic nature of solar energy in calculating the sizing rating of SCPP. Moreover, the use of uncertainties in solar radiations is time-consuming and difficult, and hence a theoretical approach is used to get the required results. Statistics and probability theory concerning solar radiation and weather data of Mumbai, India region are used for said analysis. The best generator rating and daily energy output are determined by taking into consideration variables like chimney height, collector radius, and storage thickness below the absorber plate of SCPP. Based on the aforementioned characteristics, one may construct SCPP sizing curves to yield 136, 435, and 945 kWh energy generation in 24 h period. It is essential to consider the full load and part load operations of the generator in order to prevent the unused kinetic energy linked to low velocity and increased velocity. While the majority of the past research by various researchers was carried out under full-load conditions, this study also addresses half-load situations. The current effort will help manufacturers and the scientific community develop sizing and rating taking into account different sun radiation statistics.KEYWORDS: Solar chimney power plantperformance analysissizing and ratinguncertainitysolar radiationpart load operations Nomenclatures ∆p=Pressure drop (Pa)Achim=Cross-sectional area of the chimney (m2)Acoll=Collector area (m2)Cp,water=Specific heat of the storage medium (J/kg-K)D=Chimney diameter (m)g=Acceleration due to gravity (m/s2)H=Chimney height (m)hr=Radiative heat transfer coefficients (W/m2/K)hsf=Convective heat transfer coefficients from storage to fluid (W/m2-K)Ib=Beam radiations (kWh/m2-h)Id=Diffuse radiations (kWh/m2-h)Mw=Mass of the storage medium (kg)Praed=Rated Power(kW)Protor=Power produced by rotor (kW)rb=Tilt factor w.r.t to beam radiationsrd=Tilt factor w.r.t to diffuse radiationsrr=Tilt factor w.r.t to reflected radiationsS=Incident solar flux (W/m2)Ta=Ambient temp (°C)Tcm=Mean temperature of the glass cover(°C)Tfm=Mean temperature of fluid medium(°C)Tg=Mean temperature of the ground(°C)Tsm=Mean temperature of storage medium(°C)Ub=Heat loss coefficients of bottom surface (W/m2/K).Ut=Heat loss coefficients of top surface (W/m2/K)Vchim,in=Velocity of air at chimney inlet (m/s)α=Absorptivity of storage materialβ=Tilt angle (°)ϵc=Emissivity of cover plateϵs=Emissivity of storage top plateηg=Generator efficiencyρchim,in=Density of air at chimney inlet (kg/m3)τ=Transmissivity of the cover plateDisclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Additional informationNotes on contributorsBiren K. BeheraMr. Biren K. Behera, I completed my Bachelor of Technology in mechanical engineering from INDIRA GANDHI INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, SARANG in 2011. This was followed by a Master of Technology in Thermal engineering from NIT SILCHAR in 2019. In the same year, I was accepted for a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at NIT SILCHAR and I am still continuing it. My Research area include solar thermal, modeling and simulation etc.Kaushal K. SharmaDr. Kaushal K. Sharma, completed his B.Sc.Engg(Mech) from B.I.T.Sindri. This was followed by a Master of Technology in machine design from IIT B.H.U Varanasi. He completed his Ph.D. from NIT SILCHAR. His areas of interest include wind turbines, solar energy, and robotics.Sudhansu S. SahooDr. Sudhansu S. Sahoo, completed his Bechelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering from UCE Burla in 2000 followed by M.Tech in Thermal Engineering from IIT Delhi in the year 2003 through GATE. He joined as Assistant Professor in CET Bhubaneswar in 2006. Under QIP sponsored by MHRD, he completed his PhD from IIT Bombay in the year 2013 having Renewable energy specialization. He was carrying out modeling simulation study of LFR solar thermal system as part of his PhD work. He was recipient of the prestigious Bhaskara Advanced Solar Energy (BASE) Fellowship Program-2017, sponsored by The Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India, and the Indo-U.S. Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF). His research interests include Solar thermal, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Multiphase flow, Turbo-machinery, Energy-exergy-economics analysis etc. Currently he is serving as Associate Professor in School of Mechanical Sciences of Odisha University of Technology and Research, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.Santosh KumarDr. Santosh Kumar, I have completed Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering from UVCE, Bangalore in 2008. This was followed by a Master in Engineering in Mechanical Engineering, IISc, Bangalore, in 2011. In the same year, I was accepted for Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, IISc, Bangalore to work in the field of mechanical methods to join sheet materials. I was awarded a PhD in 2018. My research interests include tribology, solar energy harvesting, plastic deformation, metal forming, and joining at high temperature. Currently serving as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, NIT Silchar, Assam, India.