Research on solar aided coal-fired power generation system and performance analysis

Integrating solar power utilization systems with coal-fired power units, the solar aided coal-fired power generation (SACPG) shows a significant prospect for the large-scale utilization of solar energy and energy saving of thermal power units. The methods and mechanism of system integration were studied. The parabolic trough solar collectors were used to collect solar energy and the integration scheme of SACPG system was determined considering the matching of working fluid flows and energy flows. The thermodynamic characteristics of solar thermal power generation and their effects on the performance of thermal power units were studied, and based on this the integration and optimization model of system structure and parameters were built up. The integration rules and coupling mecha- nism of SACPG systems were summarized in accordance with simulation results. The economic analysis of this SACPG system showed that the solar LEC of a typical SACPG system, considering CO2 avoidance, is 0.098 $/kW·h, lower than that of SEGS, 0.14 $/kW·h.

Performance Analysis of an Efficient Integration System of Coal-Fired Power Plant,Solar Thermal Energy and CO_(2)Capture

Coal-fired power plant is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.The post-combustion capture is a promising method for CO_(2)emission reduction but the high thermal demand is unbearable.To address this issue,solar thermal energy and CO_(2)capture are jointly integrated into the coal-fired power plant in this study.The solar thermal energy is employed to meet the heat requirement of the CO_(2)capture process,thereby avoiding the electricity loss caused by self-driven CO_(2)capture.Furthermore,the heat released from the carbonation reaction of MgO adsorbent is integrated into the steam Rankine cycle.By partially substituting the extracted steam for feedwater heating,the electricity output of the power plant is further increased.According to the results from the developed model,the system could achieve a CO_(2)capture rate of 86.5%and an electricity output enhancement of 9.8%compared to the reference system,which consists of a self-driven CO_(2)capture coal-fired power plant and PV generation unit.The operational strategy is also optimized and the amount of CO_(2)emission reduction on a typical day is increased by 11.06%.This work shows a way to combine fossil fuels and renewable energy for low carbon emissions and efficient power generation.

Solar aided power generation:A review

Solar Aided Power Generation(SAPG)is the most efficient and economic ways to hybridise solar thermal energy and a fossil fuel fired regenerative Rankine cycle(RRC)power plant for power generation purpose.In such an SAPG plant,the solar thermal energy is used to displace the extraction steam by preheating the feedwater to the boiler.The displaced/saved extraction steam can,therefore,expand further in the steam turbine to generate power.The research and development of the SAPG technology started in the 1990s.This paper is trying to reviews and summarises the progress of research and development of the SAPG plant technology in last almost 30 or so years,including the technical and economic advantages of SAPG over other solar thermal power generation tech-nologies(e.g.solar alone power generation),various modelling techniques used to simulate SAPG perforamnce,impacts of SAPG plant’s configuration,size of solar field and strategies to adjust mass flow rate of extraction steam on the plant perforamnce,exergy analysis of SAPG plant and operation strategies to maximise plant’s economic returns etc.In addition,the directions for future R&D about SAPG technology have been pointed/proposed in this paper.

Combining solar power with coal-fired power plants,or cofiring natural gas

Coal-fired power operators continue to look for ways to increase the efficiency and extend the working lives of their plants by improving operational flexibility and reducing environmental impact.Two possible options are explored here:combining solar energy with coal-fired power generation,and cofiring natural gas in coal-fired plants.Both techniques show potential.Depending on the individual circumstances,both can increase the flexibility of a power plant whilst reducing its emissions.In some cases,plant costs could also be reduced.Clearly,any solar-based system is limited geographically to locations that receive consistently high levels of solar radiation.Similarly,although many coal-fired plants already burn limited amounts of gas alongside their coal feed,for cofiring at a significant level,a reliable,affordable supply of natural gas is needed.This is not the case everywhere.But for each technology,there are niche and mainstream locations where the criteria can be met.The need for good solar radiation means that the uptake of coal-solar hybrids will be limited.Cofiring natural gas has wider potential:currently,the largest near-term market appears to be for application to existing coal-fired plants in the USA.However,where gas is available and affordable,potential markets also exist in some other countries.