Controller Tests for Molten Salt Parabolic Trough Systems with Loop-Wise Control Valves

Abstract

Concentrated Solar Power systems are used to generate thermal and electrical energy from solar radiation. Molten salt as a heat transfer medium offers the possibility of a higher temperature in the solar field and at the same time the use of direct energy storage. The Évora Molten Salt Platform (EMSP) is a research platform to study molten salt in the solar field on a precommercial scale. The use of molten salt requires to adapt control concepts used in thermal oil fields since the temperature rise over the loop and the loop length are different from those of thermal oil. One approach is to use automatic valves in each loop to individually control the loop outlet temperatures. This poster presents controller tests performed at molten salt loop of the EMSP in normal operation and start-up mode. Results are the basis for an individual loop flow control strategy.