Solar Power Parabolic Trough Collectors can help Build Green Sustainable Buildings that need Process Steam Heat or Domestically Heated Water

Parabolic Trough Systems (PTCs) are a type of Concentrated Solar Power Technology (CSP) meant for generating electrical power by providing steam to operate turbines that produce the power. A PTC is parabolically curved and in the middle of the trough there is an absorber pipe that contains a heat transfer fluid whose type can vary. The fluid is heated and is then pumped to a steam generator where it converts water into steam. PTC systems often contain hundreds or thousands of collectors in a solar field array where they can provide enough heat energy to operate power plants at Megawatt plus capacity. Parabolic Trough Collectors were developed decades ago and are still considered one of the main solar heating power technologies available. Many know that concentrated solar power is mostly used to produce electrical power but a few industrial or commercial applications they are useful for is towards process steam heat and domestically heated water. The idea of using solar power to heat water for industrial purposes has been done for decades but now also fits well with the need for buildings to become more energy efficient and sustainable. Alternative energy systems that can replace the need to use electrical power for heating needs fall in line with sustainable building technology. Parabolic trough systems fit well as a model to heat water for industrial or large commercial applications where a large amount of water has the need to be heated quickly. Not a large amount of heat is needed to provide for domestically heated water and parabolic troughs provide heat above 300 celcius, but they are the right technology to use when a lot of water is needed by facilities such as hospitals, prisons, recreational facilities, government and educational buildings. Domestic hot water needs can be used for reasons such as for sanitation purposes in bathrooms like showers, places may also have laundry facilities as well. The same kind of heat may also be used for space heating purposes to heat the various rooms in a building complex.

Much of the heat needed for these applications is below 100 celcius. PTCs are not meant for heating residential water as smaller sized solar technologies are more suited for this purpose. However, they may be adequate in applications where swimming pools have the need to be heated. Solar thermal heating is not the only way to provide domesically heated water through alternative energy sources. The waste heat from fuel cell power plants that have been installed at facilities like prisons have also been converted into hot water used for the sanitation facilities at prisons such as the Alameda County Jail. Process steam heat is another needed commodity for industry that could use alternative means such as solar thermal energy to produce it. Steam heat is needed for processes such as drying, distillation, evaporation and sterilization. These are especially important processes for industries such as food processing or chemical manufacturing. In fact, PTCs have been installed at food processing plant companies such as Campbells Soup, Ore-Ida Foods and Frito-Lay since the late 1970's. This could even help beverage industries such as beer brewing or wineries. Process heat is even needed in industries such as the automobile or electronic components manufacturing as heat is needed for the surface treatment of parts such as metals, plastics or ceramics. As one can see, there are a number of industries that could use process heat derived from solar thermal sources. They could continued to be installed at companies such as these due to higher standards of green or sustainable building brought on by organizations such as the US Green Building Council which have set certification standards called LEED for the construction and retrofitting of buildings for sustainability purposes. As previously mentioned, perhaps buildings could be retrofitted to contain PTCs for hot water or process steam. Providing for more energy efficient buildings from solar thermal technologies should be able to create a lot of opportunities for the construction, installation and manufacturing industries.

ARTICLE REFERENCE SOURCE

"Parabolic Trough Solar Collectors and Their Applications", Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews Vol 14 issue 7 pgs 1695-1721 [2010] by AF Garcia, E.Zarza, L.Valenzuela, M.Perez

Photos taken from Picasa Web Album

KEYWORDS: Parabolic Trough Collectors, Concentrated Solar Power Applications, Process Steam Heat, Energy Efficiency for Food Processing and Chemical Manufacturing Industries, Domestically Heated Water, Solar thermal heated water, Drying - Distillation - Evaporation, US Green Building Council LEED certification, Heat Surface Treatment of Parts

Coke Oven Gas is Considered a Clean Manufacturing Gas that has Many Potential Uses

Coke oven gas is a type of manufacturing gas that can be potentially used to produce other chemicals, fuels or recycled into hydrogen. Coke Oven Gas (COG) is made from the dry distillation of coal from the metallurgical Coke making process. During this process, Hot Coke Oven Gas (HCOG) is quenched to a cooler gas and then it is water saturated as well. However, after this process, COG may still not be ready for resuse since it also contains many other contaminants such as aromatics, tar vapors, napthalene, and polyaromatics which at times can consist up to 30 % by weight of the gas [ 1. K. Norinaga 2010 ]. It must sometimes then go through a refining process where the 'tar vapors and contaminants' are removed. Just as important, hydrogen sulfide gas must also be removed since it is known to be corrosive with metal catalysts that are used to reform the COG. Desulfurization can be accomplished using activated carbon or other types of metal type catalysts. When COG is reused it can be applied towards process heaters and boilers and also gas turbines for power generation. The main components of dry Coke Oven Gas are Hydrogen & Methane which are around 50-60 % and 25-30% respectively. It is an attractive manufacturing gas due to the fact that it has a higher than usual hydrogen content while having a very low carbon dioxide content (~3 %). Such low carbon dioxide content correlates to cleaner manufacturing processes which would typically produce less amounts of greenhouse gases. Other than its use as a direct combustion fuel for heat or energy generation, COG can be used to manufacture chemicals or fuel cell energy and currently there are at least two types of processes that convert COG into other types of manufacturing gases. It can be sequestered into hydrogen or reformed into Synthesis Gas.

Natural Gas Reformation produces Hydrogen while hydrogen sequestration is a manufacturing process developed to isolate and purify the hydrogen from sources like Synthesis Gas. Due to its chemical nature several forms of natural gas reformation can be used on COG which include steam reformation, dry reformation or partial oxidation. For example, the partial oxidation reformation method may be effective in producing the right type of Synthesis Gas. Even though there is a smaller methane percentage in COG as oppossed to natural gas, that amount of natural gas is further converted into hydrogen and carbon monoxide. When reformation technologies are applied towards methanol or other chemical production, a hydrogen to carbon monoxide ratio of 2 to 1 is favorable for further chemical synthesis using catalysis (ie like Fischer Tropsch). Its sequestration into direct hydrogen is another interesting method since it already contains a high level of hydrogen and may not need further reformation as it would produce just slightly higher levels of hydrogen. For hydrogen isolation it appears that adsorption and membrane separation are two technologies that are effective in sequestering hydrogen from other gases. The methods of Pressure Swing Adsorption as well as Membrane based hollow fiber or Assymetric type materials could be favorable technologies for hydrogen sequestration [ 2. J. Ritter et al 2007 ]. Overall, Coke Oven Gas has many potential applications in energy generation as well as chemical manufacturing, driven and supported by the Steel Industry. Since COG has a high hydrogen content as well as a low carbon dioxide it may be used as an environmentally clean manufacturing gas that have may have several future opportunities not limited to the types described above. In the future, there may be a need to use manufacturing gases that produce low carbon dioxide content mostly unrelated to how it is used. Coke Oven Gas (COG) may be an example of such a manufacturing gas.

REFERENCES

1. "Application of an Existing Chemical Kinetic Model to a Practical System of a Hot Coke Oven Gas Reforming by Non Catalytic Oxidation", Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research Vol 49 No 21 pgs 10565-10571 [2010] by K. Norinaga, H. Yatabe, M. Matsuoka, J. Hayashi

2. "State of the Art Adsorption and Membrane Separation Processes for Hydrogen Production in the Chemical and Petrochemical Industries", Separation Science and Technology Vol 42 No 6 pgs 1123-1193 [2007] by JA Ritter, AD Ebner

Photos taken from the Picassa Web Album

KEYWORDS: Coke Oven Gas, Synthesis Gas, Hydrogen Sequestration, Low Carbon Dioxide content Manufacturing Gas, Partial Oxidation, Dry & Steam Reformation, Aromatics & Tars in Coke Oven Gas, Coke Gas Desulfurization, Clean Manufacturing Gases, Combustion of Coke Oven Gas in Heaters & Boilers, Chemical Synthesis from Coke Oven Gas, Methanol Synthesis

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Natural Gas Fuel Cells, Reciprocating Engines and Microturbines are Sensible Choices for Combined Heat and Power Industrial Systems

Distributed Energy Systems have the capability to provide both combined heat and electrical power at one time. Overall Energy Efficiency usage is much higher with systems that implement CHP (combined heat & power). For example, an electrical coal power plant may be able to convert 30 - 50 % of the heat provided by coal into electrical energy, whereas a CHP power plant converts the majority or around 80 % into combined heating and electrical power [ 1. Lyons ]. Heating capabilities of value include space heating (or cooling), hot water production and industrial process heat from pressurized steam. However, much of the electrical power systems available to provide these additional heating capabilities are smaller in overall power capacity than regular sized electrical power plants ie coal, nuclear, etc. In general, three types of power technologies exist that provide the above mentioned heating and electrical power, those being Combustion Turbines, Reciprocating Engines & Fuel Cells. These 'mini power stations' are applicable in four different market areas - 1) Residential power & heating, 2) Small Commercial & Institutional Power, 3) Small - Large sized Industrial Systems and 4) Smaller Distributed electrical power for Electrical Utility Company. These systems operate at power capacities from several kW to 25 MW [ 2. The California Energy Commission ]. Fuel cell power systems include molten carbonate (MCFC) or solid soxide (SOFC) fuel cells that are made to mostly run off of natural gas (or related gases) whereas Microturbines & Reciprocating Engines can operate on a variety of fuels including natural gas, diesel or gasoline. Reciprocating Engines are similar in technology and comparable to vehicle engines that are spark or compression ignited. Both Microturbines and Reciprocating Engines provide additional heat provided as combustion waste gas streams that can be controlled with an additional Waste Heat Boiler or Duct Burner. Much of the energy in the combustion flue gases can also be reapplied toward energy (recombustion heating) using a system called a Recuperator. MCFC or SOFC Fuel Cell systems generate additional heat as well because they require that the natural gas be heated to temperatures from 650 - 1000 celcius. A Heat Recovery Steam Generator (HRSG) system is used to recover the heat used to convert the natural gas into hydrogen. The waste heat steam from these systems can also be used for room cooling using an Absorption Chilling System.

Commercial or institutional businesses usually prefer the ability to have heated water for various purposes such as what would fill the needs for a prison or hospital. Waste heat in this case must be cooled down to around 250 degrees Fahrenheit and then used to heat water, instead of directly being utilized by a Boiler or Heat Recovery system. One popular domestic fuel cell company called FuelCell Energy constructs larger sized fuel cells that are specially used to operate a hospital or prison. FuelCell Energy also assists in marketing fuel cells for the food and beverage industry such as breweries or bakeries, where not only hot water but process steam could be used for manufacturing purposes. In fact, there are a number of different manufacturing industries that already implement one of CHP power systems to use both for electricity and process steam. Some of these industries include Food Processing, Chemical/Pharmaceutical, Ceramic, Pulp & Paper, Mining and Textiles, just to name a few [ 3. Lyons ]. These types of industries already require heat for purposes such as distillation or drying, and since CHP systems are very energy efficient they are already used in hundreds if not thousands ofmanufacturing plants. More prevalent and widespread use of these power systems may help to create more jobs as well as save companies money on overall operating costs. These type of power systems, in addition, can provide additional savings in operation by using waste sources of gases such as from landfills, municipal sewage or biogas created from sources such as Anaerobic Digestors. Some companies even provide consulting services or related software to evaluate the use of equipment such as reciprocating engines using a defined amount and source of biogas or landfill gas. It is estimated that landfill gas would most likely provide 10 times or more the amount of power than from other biogas sources. Efforts by the government are being made to also help produce cleaner based CHP power from systems such as Reciprocating Engines by using cleaner burning fuels such as hydrogen, ethanol or by implementing cleaner technologies such as laser spark ignition or partial oxidation engines. In summary, drastic improvements in manufacturing efficiency as well as redudant - backup utility power can be realized with combined heat and power systems such as microturbines, reciprocating engines and fuel cells.

REFERENCES

1. "Combined Heat and Power Using Combustion Turbines" - Solar Turbines Inc. by Chris Lyons - 2006 or later

2. California Distributed Energy Resource Guide - DER Equipment - Combined Heat and Power

3. Same as Reference 1

Photos provided by the Picassa Web Album

KEYWORDS: Distributed Energy, Combined Heat and Power, Microturbines, Reciprocating Engines, Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells, Solid Oxide Fuel Cells, Industrial Process Steam Heat, Heat Recovery Steam Generator, Absorption Chillers, Distillation, Drying, Biogas, Landfill Gas, Wastewater Treatment Gas, Waste Heat Steam, National Fuel Cell Research Center

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New HVDC Superconductor Transmission Networks Should Help to Create Jobs in Many Energy Related Sectors

As larger sized renewable power plants are built across the United States there should be a need to construct high capacity transmission lines. It has been proposed by many that HVDC (high voltage direct current) superconductor type transmission lines would be a suitable choice to replace the conventional large overhead AC transmission lines that one normally notices near power plants. Overhead AC transmission lines suffer from inherent defects such as line losses, voltage stability and load flow issues during transmission, which makes them less efficient; therefore, in the future companies like ATC are considering the replacement of thousands of miles of existing AC transmission lines with more efficient types such as DC superconductors [ 1. Gerdes 2010 - Gigaom.com ]. The HVDC superconductor lines will be used in 3 ft pipelines that contain high temperature based ceramic fibers that will be placed underground. Since these are high temperature superconductors they will most likely have need for supercooling methods such as using liquid nitrogen etc. Also, the brand new transmission lines will be needed over hundreds/thousands of miles in order to deliver electrical power from outlying rural areas to high population cities. One major company in the US called American Superconductor Corporation has made plans to mass produce these type of DC superconductor lines. This company is working with the Tres Amigas Superstation project located in New Mexico where it will serve as a hub for three major power networks across the US. The Tres Amigas Superstation should be able to assist the realization of large wind farms that can serve up several Giga Watts of power. The superconductor infrastructure built by American Superconductor Corporation claim that these high energy lines can handle up to 5 Giga Watts of power. As the superconductor pipeline 'highway' develops so should the realization of large wind turbine mass production facilities and perhaps even similar, mass production of solar photovoltaics, which should create more jobs. These type of major projects should allow for continued job development within the United States related to Renewable Energy.

The Tres Amigas Superstation will provide 50 jobs plus the many construction jobs used to create a facility that is around 20 square miles in size. Superconductor pipelines should also allow large solar energy power plants to be constructed also. Solar thermal power plants are steadily increasing in power capacity as time goes on correlated with the improvement in materials and other related technologies. Multi-hundred Mega Watt solar thermal power plants already exist in California. An advantage with underground superconductor pipelines is that it is possible to place them near railroads or highways. The construction of superconductor pipelines should create many jobs for pipe fitters and cable installers. The supercooling of these type of high temperature superconductors is what makes it hard to implement on a wide scale, since most technical articles stipulate that some type of supercritical fluid such as liquid nitrogen, hydrogen etc is needed. I did however notice, that one of the companies chosen for the construction of the cable pipelines also works with supercooling with water which would be a much more controllable and cost effective method to manage DC superconductors. The use of advanced water power technologies is developing technology that is also being funded by the government which will apply towards several other types of renewable or energy related applications and also create more jobs. Recent energy bills such as the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 stipulates the need for the replacement of overhead AC power lines across the country. However, these types of transmission lines may just be replaced with more efficient overhead AC transmission lines, which would apply more towards urban city transmission areas. In summary, it is estimated that it will cost around $2 trillion in capital to construct the overall 'Electric Smart Grid' by 2030 across the United States, the majority of the money being spent on transmission and distribution networks which would include intelligent computer networks. [ 2. Rubens 2008 - Gigaom.com ]. Computer simulation networks have been built to demonstrate the use of parallel processors of several GHz used to manage superconductor swithcing circuits as well as directing data flow, such computer capabilities could help manage the digital information from power grid networks at rates of over 10 Gbps [ 3. Yorozu S. et al 1999 ]. Such information flow from power networks should require adequate IT management capabilities, which will also be a large source of potential jobs.

REFERENCES

1. "The Future of Smart Grid Transmission Superconductivity High Voltage Power Lines", Nov 2010 - Gigaom.com, Gerdes J.

2. "A Reliable Green Grid Could Need $2 Trillion", Feb 2009 - Gigaom.com, Rubens C.

3. "System Demonstration of a Superconducting Communication System", IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity vol 9 issue 2 pg. 2975-2980, Yorozu S., Hashimoto Y., Numata H., Nagasawa S., Tahara S.

KEYWORDS: Electric Smart Grid, Superconductor Switching Circuits, American Superconductor Corporation, HVDC Superconductor Transmission Lines, Pipe Fitters, Cable Installers, Information Management of Power Networks, Superconductor Superstation Hubs, Gigawatt Superconductor Pipelines, American Clean Energy Act

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