Advanced Concrete Steam Accumulation Tanks for Energy Storage for Solar Thermal Electricity
Steam accumulation is one of the most effective ways of thermal energy storage (TES) for the solar thermal energy (STE) industry. However, the steam accumulator concept is penalized by a bad relationship between the volume and the energy stored; moreover, its discharge process shows a decline in pre...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-06-01
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| Series: | Energies |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/13/3896 |
| _version_ | 1797528475373928448 |
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| author | Cristina Prieto David Pérez Osorio Edouard Gonzalez-Roubaud Sonia Fereres Luisa F. Cabeza |
| author_facet | Cristina Prieto David Pérez Osorio Edouard Gonzalez-Roubaud Sonia Fereres Luisa F. Cabeza |
| author_sort | Cristina Prieto |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Steam accumulation is one of the most effective ways of thermal energy storage (TES) for the solar thermal energy (STE) industry. However, the steam accumulator concept is penalized by a bad relationship between the volume and the energy stored; moreover, its discharge process shows a decline in pressure, failing to reach nominal conditions in the turbine. From the economic point of view, between 60% and 70% of the cost of a steam accumulator TES is that of the pressure vessel tanks (defined as US$/kWh<sub>th</sub>). Since the current trend is based on increasing hours of storage in order to improve dispatchability levels in solar plants, the possibility of cost reduction is directly related to the cost of the material of pressure vessels, which is a market price. Therefore, in the present paper, a new design for steam accumulation is presented, focusing on innovative materials developed specifically for this purpose: two special concretes that compose the accumulation tank wall. Study of dosages, selection of materials and, finally, scale up on-field tests for their proper integration, fabrication and construction in prototype are the pillars of this new steam accumulation tank. Establishing clear and precise requirements and instructions for successful tank construction is necessary due to the highly sensitive and variable nature of those new concrete formulations. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T09:58:50Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9118783a19cc4d62858a21ee0fc60556 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T09:58:50Z |
| publishDate | 2021-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj.art-9118783a19cc4d62858a21ee0fc605562023-11-22T02:05:46ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732021-06-011413389610.3390/en14133896Advanced Concrete Steam Accumulation Tanks for Energy Storage for Solar Thermal ElectricityCristina Prieto0David Pérez Osorio1Edouard Gonzalez-Roubaud2Sonia Fereres3Luisa F. Cabeza4Abengoa Energía, Calle Energía Solar, 1, 41014 Sevilla, SpainAbengoa Energía, Calle Energía Solar, 1, 41014 Sevilla, SpainAbengoa Energía, Calle Energía Solar, 1, 41014 Sevilla, SpainAbengoa Energía, Calle Energía Solar, 1, 41014 Sevilla, SpainGREiA Research Group, University of Lleida, Pere de Cabrera s/n, 25001 Lleida, SpainSteam accumulation is one of the most effective ways of thermal energy storage (TES) for the solar thermal energy (STE) industry. However, the steam accumulator concept is penalized by a bad relationship between the volume and the energy stored; moreover, its discharge process shows a decline in pressure, failing to reach nominal conditions in the turbine. From the economic point of view, between 60% and 70% of the cost of a steam accumulator TES is that of the pressure vessel tanks (defined as US$/kWh<sub>th</sub>). Since the current trend is based on increasing hours of storage in order to improve dispatchability levels in solar plants, the possibility of cost reduction is directly related to the cost of the material of pressure vessels, which is a market price. Therefore, in the present paper, a new design for steam accumulation is presented, focusing on innovative materials developed specifically for this purpose: two special concretes that compose the accumulation tank wall. Study of dosages, selection of materials and, finally, scale up on-field tests for their proper integration, fabrication and construction in prototype are the pillars of this new steam accumulation tank. Establishing clear and precise requirements and instructions for successful tank construction is necessary due to the highly sensitive and variable nature of those new concrete formulations.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/13/3896storage tankaccumulatorsteamstorageconcreteinsulation refractory |
| spellingShingle | Cristina Prieto David Pérez Osorio Edouard Gonzalez-Roubaud Sonia Fereres Luisa F. Cabeza Advanced Concrete Steam Accumulation Tanks for Energy Storage for Solar Thermal Electricity Energies storage tank accumulator steam storage concrete insulation refractory |
| title | Advanced Concrete Steam Accumulation Tanks for Energy Storage for Solar Thermal Electricity |
| title_full | Advanced Concrete Steam Accumulation Tanks for Energy Storage for Solar Thermal Electricity |
| title_fullStr | Advanced Concrete Steam Accumulation Tanks for Energy Storage for Solar Thermal Electricity |
| title_full_unstemmed | Advanced Concrete Steam Accumulation Tanks for Energy Storage for Solar Thermal Electricity |
| title_short | Advanced Concrete Steam Accumulation Tanks for Energy Storage for Solar Thermal Electricity |
| title_sort | advanced concrete steam accumulation tanks for energy storage for solar thermal electricity |
| topic | storage tank accumulator steam storage concrete insulation refractory |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/13/3896 |
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