Modelado termodinámico de una planta solar térmica hibrida de ciclo Brayton en Colombia

Abstract

Introduction: In Colombia, there is great interest in the application of renewable energy and the diversification of the energy matrix. Therefore, in this work, are presented the results of the simulation of a hybrid solar thermal plant of closed Brayton cycle in Colombia, that receives heat from a concentration system of central tower and heliostats. The solar resource is estimated by a time model validated initially, additionally with a combustion chamber that uses natural gas as fuel, which guarantees the stability of the heat supplied to the plant. The location of the plant is selected based on the global and diffuse average monthly radiation per day, and additionally, a simulation of the main operating parameters is carried out, optimizing the power and overall performance as a function of the pressure ratio. Finally, an exergy analysis of the plant is developed, especially of the components affected by the variation of the radiation during the day.

Objective: Evaluate a thermal solar plant of closed Brayton cycle concentration, through an energetic and exegetical analysis under the environmental conditions of Colombia.

Methodology: Integrate a model of solar resource, an energetic model and an exergy model applied to the environmental conditions of Colombia in model language in a Dymola compiler.

Results: The evolution of the main operating parameters of the plant throughout the day, the variation of the performance and the power depending on the pressure ratio are presented and analyzed.

Conclusions: It is technically feasible the operation of a solar thermal plant of concentration of Brayton cycle in some places of Colombia, given the available solar resource and the fuel saving that it generates despite the detriment of the energetic and exegetical performance.