SOLAR TOTAL ENERGY PROJECT

(STEP)
PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS

OF

HIGH TEMPERATURE THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE SUBSYSTEM

D. M. Moore
Georgia Institute of Technology
Engineering Experiment Station
Atlanta. Georgia 30332

The Solar Total Energy Project (STEP) at Shenandoah. Georgia is

a cooperative effort between the United States Department of Energy
(DOE) and Georgia Power Company to help maximize the potential of
solar energy. Sandia National Laboratories provides technical
management for the U. S. Department of Energy. The design. oper-
ation. and analysis of this point focus system have been supported
by a wide r~nge of institutional and industrial organizations.
When funded by DOE in 1977 as part of the National Solar Thermal
Energy Program. it was the world's largest industrial application
of solar cogeneration.

There are 114 twenty-three foot diameter parabolic dishes that

track the sun in two axes and provide 11 billion BTUs of energy
annually. Heat taken from a heat transfer fluid boils water and
superheats steam for a Rankine steam turbine-generator. The des-
ign output of the system. under maximum insolation. is 400 kW(e).
1380 pounds per hour of extracted steam for pressing clothes. and
257 tons of air conditioning for cooling the Bleyle garment plant
to which the mergies are provided.

In 1982 a large number of unexpected electrical and mechanical

problems limited experimental operations. However. many lessons
were learned from these anomalies that have been totally addressed
and resolved. The next generation system should profit greatly
by this learning experience. In 1983. system performance tests
were initiated. and the thermodynamic design has been validated.
Each individual subsystem and component have demonstrated a design
basis for future larger systems. A number of prescribed tests
associated with this Test Operations Phase have been initiated
and will be continued to the middle of 1984. These tests will
evaluate total system modes of operation for future commercial
type operation.

This technical paper will highlight (1) the 1982 milestones and
lessons learned; (2) performance in 1983; (3) a typical day's
operation; (4) collector field performance and thermal losses;
and (5) formal testing. An initial test that involves character-
izing the ~igh Temperature Storage (HTS) Subsystem will be em-
phasized. The primary element is an 11.000 gallon storage tank
that can provide energy to the steam generator during transient
solar conditions or can extend operating time. Overnight. thermal
losses have been analyzed. The length of time the system can be
operated at various levels of cogeneration using stored energy
will be reviewed.

137
HTS TEST OBJECTIVES

Energy Storage Capabilities

Thermocline Stability

Heat Loss

HTS TEST # 1

Heat Tank to 500°F

Establish 500 - 750°F Thermocline

Monitor Temperatures Overnight

Operate System from Storage - 250 kW

HTS TEST # 2

Heat Tank to 750°F

Monitor Temperature Overnight

Operate System from Storage - 250 kW

HTS TEST # 3

Heat Tank to 750°F

Monitor Temperature Overnight

Operate System from Storage - 300 kW

138
 HTS TEST RESULTS

Energy Storage Capabilities

Duration of Power Electricity

Test Level Produced
Minutes kW kWh

Test II 1 .19 250 76

Test II 2 45 250 180

Test II 3 39 300 190

Storage Efficiency

Energy Energy Storage

Stored 6 Extracteg Efficiency
BTU x 10 BTU x 10 %

Test II 1 2.60 1.89 72. 7

Test II 2 5.63 4.41 78.3

Test II 3 5.58 4.51 80.8

Heat Loss Analysis

Heat Loss
14 Hr. Period Heat Flux
2
BTU BTU/HR FT

Design 168,000 15.6

Test II 2 326,000 30.4

Test II 3 228,000 26.0

139
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