Kassel University March 2021

& ENIM REMENA

Master

PROJECT OF THERMODYNAMICS
Prepared by Dr. Khalifa Mejbri

Concentrated Solar Thermal Energy

A. Literature study (08/20)

In this first part, we propose to realize a literature background about the solar thermal
power plants. The following points are to explore:

 Solar energy resources and their distribution on the Earth.

 Technology of solar concentrators.
 Operation scheme of a solar thermal power plant.
 Examples of existent real plant.
 Etc.

B. Case study 1: Thermal power plant (06/20)

The solar thermodynamics represents one of the potential ways of the

valorization of the direct solar radiation. This technology consists in the
concentrating of solar radiations to heat a fluid up to high temperature and
produce thus electricity or supplied thermal energy to industrial processes.
In this exam, we propose to set up a preliminary energy study of a solar thermal
power plant to be installed in the Tunisian desert. This power plant is based on
Rankine cycle and is actuated using concentration solar systems as shown in the
flowing figure.

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Solar system

The solar system is constitutes of parallel ranges of long cylindro-parabolic

mirrors that turn around a horizontal axis to follow the sun race. The solar
radiations are concentrated on a horizontal receiving tube in which circulates
coolant oil and is heated up to a temperature of 420°C. A part of this fluid is then
pumped through the boiler of the Rankine cycle and the other part is driven to
the heat exchanger of thermal solar storage system.
The average thermal efficiency of solar collectors (recovered energy by the
coolant oil/incident solar energy): ηSC = 0.65.

Solar energy storage

Due to the solar energy storage, the power plant can continued to operate even
during cloudy and overnight periods. The energy storage is carried out in the
form of 2 tanks containing 28500 tons of molten salt (60% NaNO 3 - 40% KNO3).
The salt is heated up to 400°C in the heat exchangers during the day with the help
of the hot coolant oil coming from the solar concentrators.
The thermal losses in the solar energy storage and transport system are
estimated to be 10% of the total energy produced by the solar system.

Rankine cycle
The Rankine cycle is composed of a pump continuously supplying the boiler with
working fluid, a boiler generating superheated vapor, a turbine on which is
expanded vapor to produce useful mechanical work, and a water-cooling
condenser.
 Working fluid: water vapor ;
 Condensation pressure: PC = P3 = P4 = 0.125 bar ;
 Boiling pressure: PB = P1 = P2 = 60 bar ;
 Sub-cooled liquid at condenser outlet: T4 = 45°C ;
 Isentropic pumping ;

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 Boiler : production of superheated vapor at T2 = 380°C ;
 Regime of the coolant oil heating the boiler: 420/360°C ;
 Adiabatic turbine with an isentropic efficiency of ηTb = 0.85 ;
 Overall efficiency of the turbine-alternator group: ηGTA = Ṗel /Ẇ Tb = 0.90 ;
 Nominal electric power: Ṗel = 50 MWe.

Cooling tower
To minimize the water consumption used as cooling medium for the condenser, a
cooling tower is coupled with the condenser. The heated water at the level of
condenser is cooled through the tower by partial evaporation into an ascendant
air forced flow. The evaporated water is restored from the confined aquifer (only
available water source). The cooling water regime is fixed to 35/45°C. The
specific heat capacity of water is CP = 4.18 kJ/kg.K. The ambient air is at an
average temperature and relative humidity T0 = 30°C and φ0 = 25%.

Work to do

The installation is supposed to operate at steady state regime. We demand to trait

the following three parts and to summarize obtained results in the appropriate
tables. (Tables 1, 2 and 3 are to return with the response’s paper).

We give: 1 kWh = 3600 kJ, 1 GWh = 106 kWh.

Part 1. Rankine Cycle

1. Represent the shape of Rankine cycle on the (T-s) diagram.

2. Determine:
 Working fluid enthalpy at point 3 ;
 Produced mechanical power by the turbine Ẇ Tb ;
 Mass flow of the working fluid in circulation ṁV ;
 Condenser thermal power Q̇Cd ;
 Driven thermal power supplied to the boiler by the solar system Q̇B ;
 Pumping mechanical power Ẇ P;

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  Thermodynamic efficiency of the Rankine cycle ηR.

Part 2. Solar thermal power plant

We estimate that the electricity power production can reach about 195
GWhe/year, approximately 45% of the overall capacity of the investigated
Rankine cycle.

3. Calculate the annual consummated solar thermal energy in the level of the
Rankine cycle boiler (consider the cycle thermodynamic efficiency
obtained previously).
4. Estimate the annual incident solar energy on the solar concentrator’s
surface with taking into account their average thermal efficiency and the
waste thermal energy in the transport and storage systems.
5. Knowing that the average solar radiation intensity in the Tozeur region is
evaluate to 2380 kWh/m2.year, determine the total area of the solar
concentrators to be installed.
6. Evaluate the overall thermal efficiency of the solar power plant with
knowing that the auxiliary electric power consumed on site (pumps, funs,
regulation equipments, etc.) is estimated to 17 GWhe/year.
7. Represent, with the help of a simplified schematization, the energy and the
entropy exchangers between the solar power plant and its surroundings
(hot heat source: solar concentrator’s absorber at Ths = 420°C, cold heat
source: ambient air at T0 = 30°C). Deduce the system entropy creation.

Part 3. Cooling Circuit

8. Calculate the cooling water mass flow rate traversing the condenser in
nominal operation.
9. Determine the mass flow rate evaporated through the cooling tower with
knowing that vaporization enthalpy of water at 40°C is 2406 kJ/kg and its
density 992.4 kg/m3.

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10. Deduce the annual water amount extracted from the non-renewable
aquifer reserves (m3/year). Comment.
11. Calculate the minimum air mass flow rate to be circulated through the
cooling tower (moist air is saturated at the tower exhaust).
12. Represent the process undergoes by the air through the cooling tower on
the joined moist air diagram.

Figure 1. Schematic diagram of the solar thermal power plant.

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 Table 1. Summarize of the part 1 obtained results.

Boiling temperature TB =

Condensation temperature TC =

Point T (°C) P (bar) H (kJ/kg) S (kJ/kg.K)

3s

Turbine mechanical power Ẇ Tb =¿ ……….…..……..…… kW

Water vapor mass flow rate ṁV =¿ ……………….………... kg/s

Condenser thermal power Q̇Cd =¿ .……………...………. kW

Boiler thermal power Q̇B =¿ ………..………………. kW

Pump mechanical power Ẇ P=¿ ……..……..………….. kW

Thermodynamic efficiency ηR = ……………..……………%

Point 3s is the isentropic expansion exhaust.

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 Table 2. Summarize of the part 2 obtained results.

Boiler annual thermal energy Q̇B =¿……….....................GWh/an

Annual incident solar energy ĠS =¿……….....................GWh/an

Solar field area A = …………………………… m2

Overall thermal efficiency of power plant ηO = ……………..……………%

Entropy creation Ṡcrée =¿ ………................. kW/K

Table 3. Summarize of the part 3 obtained results.

Point T (°C) φ (%) h (kJ/kg.as) w (g.vap/kg.as) v (m3/kg.as)

Inlet air, E

Outlet air, S

Cooling water mass flow rate ṁcond =¿ ……….………….………............ kg/s

Evaporated mass flow rate ṁ evap =¿ ……………..……………............ kg/s

Annual consumed water ṁeau=¿ ………………........................... m3/an

ṁair =¿ ………….…………………......... kg a.s/s

Minimum air flow rate
V̇ air =¿ …………….………………........... m3/h

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C. Case study 2: Solar Cooling Production (06/20)

One of the alternatives to produce solar cooling is the coupling of a Rankine

power plant and a mechanical vapor compression refrigeration machine, as is
shown in figure 1.

Solar system
The solar system is constitutes of parallel ranges of long cylindro-parabolic
mirrors that turn around a horizontal axis to follow the sun race. The solar
radiations are concentrated on a horizontal receiving tube in which circulates
coolant oil and is heated up to a temperature of 360°C. A part of this fluid is then
pumped through the boiler of the Rankine cycle and the other part is driven to
the heat exchanger of thermal solar storage system.
The average thermal efficiency of solar collectors (recovered energy by the
coolant oil/incident solar energy): ηSC = 0.65.

Solar energy storage

Due to the solar energy storage, the power plant can continued to operate even
during cloudy and overnight periods. The energy storage is carried out in the
form of 2 tanks containing molten salt (60% NaNO 3 - 40% KNO3). The salt is
heated up to 350°C in the heat exchangers during the day with the help of the hot
coolant oil coming from the solar concentrators.
The thermal losses in the solar energy storage and transport system are
estimated to be 10% of the total thermal energy produced by the solar system.  

Rankine Cycle
The Rankine cycle is composed of a pump continuously supplying the boiler with
working fluid, a boiler generating superheated vapor, a turbine on which is
expanded vapor to produce useful mechanical work, and a water-cooling

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condenser. To reduce the water consumption the condenser is coupled to a
cooling tower.
 Working fluid: water ;
 Condensation pressure: PC = P5 = P8 = 0.1 bar ;
 Boiling pressure: Pb = P6 = P7 = 40 bar ;
 Sub-cooled liquid at condenser outlet: T5 = 40°C ;
 Sub-cooled liquid at condenser outlet ;
 Boiler : production of superheated vapor at T7 = 320°C ;
 Regime of the coolant oil heating the boiler: T21 = 350°C/T22 = 300°C ;
 Adiabatic turbine with an isentropic efficiency of ηTb = 0.85 ;
 Ambient air temperature T0 = 30°C.

Refrigeration Cycle
The refrigeration machine operates through a simple vapor mechanical
compression cycle. The evaporator is a counter-current heat exchanger
producing cold water to be used for the air conditioning of buildings. The
condenser is an air-cooling heat exchanger. The compressor is of scroll type and
entrained by the turbine of the Rankine cycle.
 Refrigerant: R134a ;
 Refrigeration power: Q̇ E= 50 kW ;
 Evaporation pressure: PE = P1 = P4 = 2.0 bar ;
 Condensation pressure: PC = P2 = P3 = 11.6 bar ;
 Subcooling of the liquid at the condenser outlet: ∆T3 = 5°C ;
 Superheating of vapor at the evaporator exhaust: ∆T1 = 10°C ;
 Adiabatic Compressor with an isentropic efficiency: ηC = 0.80 ;
 Overall efficiency of the work transmission for the turbine-compressor
couple (ηtr = Ẇ C /Ẇ Tb  = 0.9) ;
 Regime of cold water: T11 = 12°C/T12 = 6°C.

Work to do

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We consider that the system operates under steady state regime.

Part 1. Refrigeration Cycle

1. Represent the refrigeration cycle on the (P-H) diagram given in appendix.

2. Determine the enthalpy at points 2 and 4, and the vapor mass fraction x4.
3. Calculate the mass flow rate of the refrigerant, ṁf .
4. Determine the heat power of the condenser, Q̇Cd ,1, and the mechanical
power of the compressor, Ẇ C .
5. Estimate the COP of the refrigeration cycle.

Part 2. Rankine Cycle

6. Represent the shape of Rankine cycle on the (T-s) diagram.

7. Determine :
 Properties of the working fluid at points 5, 6, 7 et 8.
 Mechanical power produced by the turbine, Ẇ Tb.
 Mass flow rate of the working fluid in circulation, ṁw .
 Heat power of the condenser, Q̇Cd ,2.
 Driven thermal power supplied to the boiler by the solar system, Q̇B .
 Mechanical power of the pump, Ẇ P.
 Thermodynamic efficiency of the Rankine cycle, ηR.

Part 3. Solar system

A dynamic energetic simulation of the building on Design Builder/Energy Plus
software demonstrate the overall cooling requirements are BF = 42.5
MWh/year :
8. Calculate the annual consummated solar thermal energy in the level of the
Rankine cycle boiler (consider the values of COP, ηtr and ηR).
9. Estimate the annual incident solar energy on the solar concentrator’s
surface with taking into account their average thermal efficiency and the
waste thermal energy in the transport and storage systems.

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 10.Knowing that the average solar radiation intensity in the region is
evaluated to 2145 kWh/m2/an, determine the total area of the solar
concentrators to be installed.
11.Estimate the overall COP of this solar cooling system.
12.Represent, with the help of a simplified schematization, the energy, the
entropy and the exergy exchangers between the overall solar refrigeration
system and its surroundings (hot thermal source: solar concentrator’s
absorber at Ths = 380°C, atmosphere: ambient air at T0 = 35°C, cold thermal
source: Tcs = 9°C). Deduce the system entropy creation, the irreversibility and
the second law efficiency of this solar refrigeration system.

Part 4. Cooling-coil for air-conditioning

In summer, the child water is used for the air-conditioning of a building. The
outdoor air and the recovery air from the building are first mixed with an outdoor
air rate τOA = 0.3. The mixed resulting air is then cold through a cooling-coil.
Lastly, it is blown into the different rooms of the building through a distribution
circuit using a supply fan.

The outdoor conditions to be considered are:

 Outside temperature: TO = 35°C ;
 Outside relative humidity: φO = 30%.
The imposed indoor conditions are:
 Inside temperature: TI = 24°C ;
 Inside relative humidity: φI = 50%.
The air is supplied at temperature equal to 14°C.

We demand to (table 3):

13.Determine the moist air properties in the outside, inside and the mixture
states. Schematize the mixing process in the moist air diagram.
14.Identify the properties of air in the supplying conditions. Represent the
air cooling process in the same diagram.
15.Determine the mass flow rates of the supplied and outside air.

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16.Calculate the water mass flow rate that condensates on the surface of the
cooling-coil.
17.Estimate the mass flow rate of chilled water feeding the cooling-coil.

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Figure 1. Solar refrigeration installation.

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Table 1. Summarize of results of part 1.

Evaporation temperature TE =

Condensation temperature TC =

Point T (°C) P (bar) H (kJ/kg) S (kJ/kg.K)

2s

Vapor mass fraction at state 4 x 4 =¿ ………………………

Mass flow rate ṁf =¿ ………………… kg/s

Condenser thermal power Q̇Cd ,1=¿ ………………. kW

Mechanical power of compressor Ẇ C =¿ …………….…. kW

Coefficient of performance COP = ……….………..

Point 2s is the exhaust of an isentropic compression.

Table 2. Results’ summarize of parts 2 and 3.

Boiling temperature TB = 250.4°C
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condensation temperature TC = 45.8°C

Point T (°C) P (bar) H (kJ/kg) S (kJ/kg.K)

8S

Mechanical power of turbine Ẇ Tb =¿ …………… kW

Mass flow rate ṁR =¿ ….……... kg/s

Condenser thermal power Q̇Cd ,2=¿ .…………. kW

Boiler heating power Q̇ B =¿ ………………. kW

Pump’s mechanical power Ẇ P=¿ …………..….. kW

Thermodynamic efficiency ηR = …………………%

Annual power of the boiler Q̇ B =¿ ……….………. MWh/an

Annual incident solar energy Ġs =¿ ……….………. MWh/an

Area of the solar field A=¿ ……………………. m2

Overall COP of the solar system COP ov=¿………….

Entropy creation Ṡcreation =¿ ………………………kW/K

Irreversibility İ ❑=¿………………………kW

Second law efficiency η II =¿………………………

Point 8s is the exhaust of an isentropic expansion.

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 Table 3. summarize of the results of part 4.
Point T (°C) φ (%) h (kJ/kg.da) w (g.vap/kg.da) v (m3/kg.da)

Outside, O

Inside, I

Mixture, M

Supply, S

Supplied air mass flow rate ṁSA =¿ ……………….…............ kg.da/h

Outside air mass flow rate ṁOA =¿ ………………..…............ kg.da/h

Mass flow rate of condensate ṁcond =¿ …………………........... kg water/h

Mass flow rate of chilled water ṁcw=¿ …………………........... kg ch. water/h

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