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Electronic Resource
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SAND Report: SAND88-8000, August 1988
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Library's review
ABSTRACT:
This report uses experimental data to evaluate the performance of the 10 MWe Solar Thermal Central Receiver Pilot Plant receiver. Receiver performance includes such receiver characteristics as point-in-time steady state efficiency, average efficiency, receiver life, start-up time,
This report uses experimental data to evaluate the performance of the 10 MWe Solar Thermal Central Receiver Pilot Plant receiver. Receiver performance includes such receiver characteristics as point-in-time steady state efficiency, average efficiency, receiver life, start-up time,
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operations time, and operations during cloud transients. The receiver peak steady state efficiency, calculated by two different methods, before December 1985 was about 77%. After the receiver was repainted in December 1985, the peak steady state efficiency increased to about 82%, near design predictions. The receiver average efficiency, although lower than the peak by 5 to 10 percentage points, shows a similar increase after the repainting. Receiver thermal losses (radiation, convection, and conduction), calculated by two different methods, are about 4.5- 5.5 MWt. Receiver life - which includes the effect of receiver start-up, operation time, operation during cloud transients, and panel supports - is an area requiring further evaluation. Within two years from the start of receiver operation, panel tube leaks began to occur. Receiver panel deformations, which continue to occur, will have an adverse effect on the receiver life. Show Less