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International Journal of Application or Innovation in Engineering & Management (IJAIEM)

Web Site: www.ijaiem.org Email: editor@ijaiem.org


Volume 9, Issue 4, April 2020 ISSN 2319 - 4847

Selection of System Component and


Requirements for a Hypothetical
Parabolic Trough Concentrated
Solar Power Plant in
Northern Nigeria
Olutosin A. Ogunleye1, Chuks J. Diji2, Rilwan A. Adebayo3

1
Centre for Petroleum Energy Economics and Law (CPEEL), University of Ibadan, Nigeria
2
Directorate of Research, Innovation, Consultancy and Extension, Kampala International University, Uganda
3
National Engineering Design Development Institute Nnewi, Nigeria

ABSTRACT
The study proposed methods of determining the relative suitability of three major component/requirements of a hypothetical
100MW concentrated solar power plant in Malam-Fatori, a location in Borno State, northern Nigeria. The
component/requirements to be selected are solar concentrators, heat transfer fluid (HTF) and thermal energy storage (TES)
medium. The most suitable concentrator amongst three different variants; Sky Fuel Sky Trough 80-mm OD receiver (SF),
Siemens SunField 6 (SSF) and EuroTrough ET150 (ET), was selected by subjecting them to simulation at varying solar
multiples using the System Advisor Model (SAM). A comparative analysis of the simulated energy output, levelized cost of
electricity (LCOE) and total solar aperture area was used to determine the most suitable concentrator. For HTF, the study
compared the characteristics of Therminol VP-1 to that of Therminol 59, while for TES medium; HITEC Solar Salt, HITEC
XL (Eutectic), HITEC XL (low calcium) and ordinary HITEC Salt were subjected to comparative analysis based on the climatic
conditions of the location under review and the chemical composition of the various media. The study revealed that SF has
highest annual energy output and the lowest LCOE, while also competing favourably in terms of land requirement (< 3% more
land requirement than SSF and ET). It further revealed that Therminol VP-1 is preferable to Therminol 66 as HTF due to
higher maximum operating temperature and maximum field flow velocity. Additionally, HITEC Solar Salt is the most
preferred TES medium due to greater tolerance to high ambient temperatures and absence of corrosive calcium nitrates.
Key Words: Concentrated solar power, solar multiple, parabolic trough concentrator, heat transfer fluid, thermal
energy storage.

1. Introduction
Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) system is a solar thermal system that utilises mirrors or lenses to concentrate direct
solar radiation to produce heat energy that could subsequently be converted into electricity amongst other uses [1]. A
typical CSP plant used for power generation comprises concentrator, receiver, and 3 sub-systems namely the heat
transport, energy storage and power conversion sub-systems as highlighted in Figure 1.

Volume 9, Issue 4, April 2020 Page 46


International Journal of Application or Innovation in Engineering & Management (IJAIEM)
Web Site: www.ijaiem.org Email: editor@ijaiem.org
Volume 9, Issue 4, April 2020 ISSN 2319 - 4847

CONCENTRATOR
SOLAR RECEIVER DIRECT
RADIATION CONNECTION ELECTRICITY
CONVERSION

ENERGY
TRANSPORT

HEAT LOSSES

ENERGY
STORAGE HEAT TO
ENVIRONMENT

Figure 1: Block Diagram of a CSP System (Adapted from [2]).

The major types of CSP systems are the parabolic Trough Concentrator (PTC), Linear Fresnel Reflector (LFR), Power
Tower or Central Receiver System (CRS) Technology and the Dish Engine (DE) Technology [2]. CSP systems work
on two major principles: line-focussing and point-focussing. The CRS and DE technologies are categorised as point
focussing systems while the LFR and PTC fall under the line focussing systems. However, most commercially viable
type of CSP for large-scale on-grid electricity generation are the line-focussing systems. Furthermore, the PTC is the
most matured and widely deployed CSP technology, hence its adoption for this study [3], [4],[5]. A pictorial model and
partial snapshot of an existing PTC CSP plant are illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 respectively.

Figure 2: A Pictorial Model of PTC CSP Plant [6].

Figure 3: Partial Snapshot of an Existing PTC CSP Plant [7].

Volume 9, Issue 4, April 2020 Page 47


International Journal of Application or Innovation in Engineering & Management (IJAIEM)
Web Site: www.ijaiem.org Email: editor@ijaiem.org
Volume 9, Issue 4, April 2020 ISSN 2319 - 4847

There are many variants of the component and requirements for operating a CSP plant. In order to ensure optimal
performance of a CSP system, it is essential to determine the most suitable component and/or requirements of the
system in a specific location. In this regard, the study devised a means of selecting 3 major component/requirements
for a parabolic trough CSP, which are the concentrator, heat transfer fluid (HTF) and thermal energy storage (TES)
medium. The most suitable concentrator for a specific location was determined through simulation of the outputs of
different types/makes of the PTC. In considering HTF and TES medium, the two candidates based on available
technology are oil and molten salt respectively. Oil is used as HTF due to its relatively lower freezing temperature
while salt is used as TES medium owing to its relatively higher stability at temperatures > 5000C [8],[9],[10]. The use
of molten salt as both HTF and TES medium could be feasible in the near future through the process of direct steam
generation which has potential for reduced TES cost and improved TES performance [11].

2. Methodology
Some locations in northern Nigeria were observed to have relatively high direct normal irradiation (DNI) of about 2000
kWh/m2, higher than the 1800 kWh/m2 minimum acceptable design DNI for CSP plants [11],[12],[13],[14]. In
anticipation of future deployment of CSP in northern Nigeria, a location with adequate DNI, Malam-Fatori in Borno
State, was selected for simulation using the System Advisor Model (SAM) Software of the National Renewable Energy
Laboratory (NREL), California USA. The DNI of Malam-Fatori was obtained from the European Union Photovoltaic
Geographical Information System (EU-PVGIS) Software and validated theoretically using Equations (1) – (9) in the
absence of pyrheliometer used for on-site measurement of DNI.

(1)

Where

GHI = Global Horizontal Irradiance


DNI = Direct Normal Irradiance
DHI = Diffused Horizontal Irradiance
θz = Solar Zenith Angle.

The GHI data for the location, Gunn Bellanni readings (HGB) measured in millilitre, was obtained from Nigerian
Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and converted to MJ/ (m2.d) by a conversion factor of 1.1364 [15], [16]. The daily
average diffuse radiation , as highlighted in [17] is given as:

(2)

(3)

Where
( )

Total hourly solar radiation falling on a horizontal plane, is given as:

(4)

Where r = ratio of the total radiation for the hour to the total radiation for the whole day, given as:

(5)

Where a = 0.4090 + 0.5016

Volume 9, Issue 4, April 2020 Page 48


International Journal of Application or Innovation in Engineering & Management (IJAIEM)
Web Site: www.ijaiem.org Email: editor@ijaiem.org
Volume 9, Issue 4, April 2020 ISSN 2319 - 4847

b = 0.6609 - 0.4767

h = Time of the day

The hourly value of the diffuse solar radiation [18] could be obtained from:

] (6)

From Equation (1), we can deduce the equation for the total hourly solar radiation as follows:

(7)

Where

Hourly direct solar radiation on a normal surface relative to the direction of the beam is given as:

(8)

(9)

In a previous study analysing the performance of a 50MW CSP plant at solar multiples between 1-1.5, optimal
solar multiple was obtained as 1.16 [19]. In this study, the output energy, levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) and total
solar aperture area of a 100MW CSP plant were simulated using the SAM at solar multiples of 1.1-2.0 at intervals of
0.15. Adopting the design of the 100MW CSP Reference Plant in Dagett California USA for a similar plant in Malam-
Fatori Borno State northern Nigeria, and developing typical meteorological year (TMY) data for the location as
highlighted in [20], the most suitable concentrator was determined by simulating mentioned outputs from three
different variants of concentrators; Sky Fuel Sky Trough 80-mm OD receiver (SF), Siemens SunField 6 (SSF) and
EuroTrough ET150 (ET). Some design parameters of the solar collector assembly (SCA) of the respective concentrators
investigated are highlighted in Table 2.

Table 2: Design Parameters of Selected PTCs


PTC Model/Make SCA SCA Number of SCA Aperture Mirror Geometry
Length Aperture modules per Reflective Area Reflectanc Effects
(m) Width (m) Assembly (m2) e
Sky Fuel Sky Trough 115 6 8 656 0.93 0.952
Siemens SunField 6 95.2 5.776 8 545 0.925 0.968
EuroTrough ET150 150 5.75 12 817.5 0.935 0.98
Source: NREL SAM, 2017.

For the HTF, the characteristics of two types: Therminol VP-1 and Therminol 59 were compared taking the climatic
condition of the proposed location into consideration. Four types of TES medium: HITEC Solar Salt, HITEC XL
(Eutectic), HITEC XL (low calcium) and HITEC were subjected to comparative analysis based on the climatic
conditions of the location under review.

3. Discussions and Results


The satellite based (PVGIS) DNI of the location was obtained as 2121.3 kWh/m2/year while the theoretically calculated
DNI of same location was obtained as 2275.7 kWh/m2/year as highlighted in Table 3 while the relationship between the
two sets of DNI data is highlighted in Figure 4. TMY data comprising 15-year hourly data was obtained from PVGIS
and transposed into TMY3 data format required for simulation on SAM [21],[22]. A partial screenshot of the TMY3
data used for simulating the output energy, LCOE and total solar aperture area from a hypothetical 100MW CSP plant
in Malam-Fatori is shown in Figure 5. The simulation results using the three variants of solar concentrators at varying
solar multiples are highlighted in Table 4 while a screenshot of the simulation result using SF concentrator at solar
multiple of 1.1 is at Figure 5. The relationship between the satellite and calculated DNI data have a fair positive linear
relationship with correlation constant r = 0.54.

Volume 9, Issue 4, April 2020 Page 49


International Journal of Application or Innovation in Engineering & Management (IJAIEM)
Web Site: www.ijaiem.org Email: editor@ijaiem.org
Volume 9, Issue 4, April 2020 ISSN 2319 - 4847

Table 3: Monthly values of Satellite and Theoretically Calculated DNI of Malam-Fatori.


Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
PVGIS DNI 208.44 192.51 197.57 191.33 154.26 132.20 123.78 129.48 147.39 194.01 226.8 223.53
(kWh/m2/year
)
Calculated 197.88 201.16 247.32 173.12 167.89 141.08 204.53 176.08 147.91 217.24 216.46 185.06
DNI
(kWh/m2/year
)

Figure 4: Plot of PVGIS versus Calculated DNI Data of Malam-Fatori.

Figure 5: Screenshot of TMY3 Simulation Data for Malam-Fatori.

Volume 9, Issue 4, April 2020 Page 50


International Journal of Application or Innovation in Engineering & Management (IJAIEM)
Web Site: www.ijaiem.org Email: editor@ijaiem.org
Volume 9, Issue 4, April 2020 ISSN 2319 - 4847

Table 4: Simulation Results of Concentrators at Varying Solar Multiples.


Solar Energy Output (MWh) LCOE ($/kWh) Solar Aperture Area (m2)
Multipl SSF ET SF SSF ET SF SSF ET SF
e
1.10 163,267 153,065 168,374 0.2823 0.3008 0.2738 514,480 510,120 524,800
1.25 187,462 177,508 191,926 0.2463 0.2599 0.2407 584,240 582,060 593,024
1.40 211,085 199,288 216,886 0.2192 0.2320 0.2135 654,000 647,460 666,496
1.55 235,735 222,293 241,690 0.1967 0.2084 0.1920 723,760 719,400 734,720
1.70 263,199 246,324 269,524 0.1766 0.1884 0.1726 797,880 791,340 808,192
1.85 289,269 270,185 295,469 0.1610 0.1721 0.1578 867,640 856,740 876,416
2.00 315,360 296,241 323,484 0.1481 0.1574 0.1444 937,400 928,860 949,888

Figure 5: Screenshot of simulation result using SF concentrator at solar multiple of 1.1.

It can be observed from Table 4 that SF has the highest annual output energy and the lowest LCOE amongst the three
concentrators at all investigated solar multiples. An inverse relationship between output energy and LCOE could also
be deduced from the results in Table 4. SF however requires more landmass (< 3%) relative to SSF and ET as
indicated in figures 6 - 8. Since cost of land is an input to LCOE, the independent size of the land becomes irrelevant
because its cost was catered for in the calculation of LCOE. SF is thus the preferred solar concentrator for a 100MW
CSP Plant in Malam-Fatori, Borno State Nigeria.

Volume 9, Issue 4, April 2020 Page 51


International Journal of Application or Innovation in Engineering & Management (IJAIEM)
Web Site: www.ijaiem.org Email: editor@ijaiem.org
Volume 9, Issue 4, April 2020 ISSN 2319 - 4847

Figure 6: Output Energy per Concentrator at Different Solar Multiples.

Figure 7: Simulated LCOE of Various Concentrators at Different Solar Multiples.

Figure 8: Required Solar Aperture Area per Concentrator at Different Solar Multiples.

The characteristics considered for the candidate HTF in the comparative analysis are highlighted in Table 5.

Volume 9, Issue 4, April 2020 Page 52


International Journal of Application or Innovation in Engineering & Management (IJAIEM)
Web Site: www.ijaiem.org Email: editor@ijaiem.org
Volume 9, Issue 4, April 2020 ISSN 2319 - 4847

Table 5: Comparison of Candidate HTF.


Parameter Therminol VP-1 Therminol 66
Minimum Operating 120C 00 C
Temperature
Maximum Operating 4000C 3450C
Temperature
Solar Field Inlet Temperature 2930C 2930C
0
Solar Field Outlet Temperature 391 C 3910C
Minimum Field Flow Velocity 0.2686 m/s 0.2703 m/s
Maximum Field Flow Velocity 3.7445 m/s 3.5488 m/s
Source: NREL SAM, 2017.

Table 4 indicates that Therminol VP-1 has higher maximum operating temperature and maximum field flow velocity
compared to Therminol 66. Thus, the former would operate at relatively higher temperatures without breakdown of its
chemical composition in comparison to the latter. Furthermore, the capacity of Therminol VP-1 to operate at relatively
higher temperatures is considered more significant than the relatively lower operating temperature of Therminol 66
since the location under review is in a temperate region where ambient temperatures are unlikely to fall to 00C.
Therminol VP-1 is therefore the preferred HTF for a 100MW CSP plant in the location under review. For the TES
Medium, the characteristics considered for the comparative analysis are highlighted in Table 6.

Table 6: Comparison of Candidate TES Medium.


Salt Name Salt Constituent Weight Percent Cover Gas
NaNO3 KNO3 Ca (NO3)2 NaNO2
HITEC XL (Eutectic) 12 46 42 - Air (dry, no CO/CO2)
HITEC XL (Low Calcium) 30 50 20 - Air (dry, no CO/CO2)
HITEC (Ordinary) 7 53 - 40 Nitrogen (dry)
Solar Salt (HITEC) 60 40 - - Air (dry, no CO/CO2)
Source: Abengoa Solar, 2013.
Table 6 indicates the presence of calcium nitrates in HITEC XL (Eutectic and low calcium); calcium nitrates are
corrosive to tubes, seals and valves required for a CSP system. The two types of HITEC XL also breakdown
considerably at temperatures of about 5000C, while HITEC Solar Salt operates at a higher temperature than the
ordinary HITEC [10]. Thus, HITEC Solar Salt respectively is the preferred TES medium for a 100MW CSP plant in
Malam-Fatori, Borno State Nigeria.

4. Conclusion
The need to ensure optimal performance of CSP plants necessitates the determination of the most suitable
component/requirements for such plants. This study revealed that SF is the most suitable concentrator for a 100MW
CSP plant in Malam-Fatori Borno State amongst the three concentrators investigated, while Therminol VP-1 and
HITEC Solar Salt are the most preferable HTF and TES medium respectively. These findings were derived through the
simulation of three different concentrators for a prospective PTC CSP plant in Malam-Fatori Nigeria, and the
comparative analysis of two variants of HTF and four types of TES medium.

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International Journal of Application or Innovation in Engineering & Management (IJAIEM)
Web Site: www.ijaiem.org Email: editor@ijaiem.org
Volume 9, Issue 4, April 2020 ISSN 2319 - 4847

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AUTHOR

Olutosin Ogunleye obtained B.Eng and M.Eng in Electrical/Electronic Engineering and


Electronic/Communications Engineering respectively from the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1998
and 2007 respectively. He works as a maintenance engineer in the military. He is currently a
doctoral student of Energy Studies at the Centre for Petroleum Energy Economics and Law,
University of Ibadan, Nigeria.

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