Open AccessConceptual design of a new thermal‐electric conversion device in lightweight concentrating solar thermal power system
Author(s) -
Rui Xi,
Zheng Fei,
Zheng Tao,
Ji Xiang,
Wu Tian
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
energy science and engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.638
H-Index - 29
ISSN - 2050-0505
DOI - 10.1002/ese3.519
Subject(s) - software portability , degree rankine , reflector (photography) , electric power , thermal , energy conversion efficiency , power (physics) , automotive engineering , computer science , mechanical engineering , engineering , electrical engineering , process engineering , physics , quantum mechanics , meteorology , light source , optics , programming language
Concentrating solar thermal power (CSTP) technology has become a hot issue in the present research because of its high conversion efficiency. However, traditional schemes cannot be widely applied due to their complex structure, low power density, and high cost. In view of this, based on a new type of lightweight cable mesh reflector structure and the Rankine cycle, a new conceptual design of thermal‐electric conversion device in CSTP system is proposed. The process of thermal‐electric conversion is actualized through smart and lightweight structural design; the performance estimation of the device is carried out through focusing performance analysis and thermodynamic analysis; the cycling feasibility is verified through multifield coupling simulation analysis. Compared with the existing thermal‐electric conversion devices, the device proposed in this paper has higher power‐to‐weight ratio. And the power generation system that combines the proposed device with the flexible cable net reflector has the characteristics of lightweight, portability, and small land area, which has a great significance for the popularization and application of distributed layout CSTP system.