Analysis of Potential Use of Linear Fresnel Collector for Direct Steam Generation in Industries of the Southwest of Europe

Francisco  José Sepúlveda; María  Teresa Miranda; Irene Montero; José  Ignacio Arranz; Francisco  Javier Lozano; Manuel Matamoros; Paloma Rodríguez

doi:10.3390/en12214049

Energies (Oct 2019)

Analysis of Potential Use of Linear Fresnel Collector for Direct Steam Generation in Industries of the Southwest of Europe

Francisco José Sepúlveda,
María Teresa Miranda,
Irene Montero,
José Ignacio Arranz,
Francisco Javier Lozano,
Manuel Matamoros,
Paloma Rodríguez

Affiliations

Francisco José Sepúlveda: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Energy and Materials, Industrial Engineering School, University of Extremadura, Avenue Elvas s/n, 06006 Badajoz, Spain
María Teresa Miranda: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Energy and Materials, Industrial Engineering School, University of Extremadura, Avenue Elvas s/n, 06006 Badajoz, Spain
Irene Montero: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Energy and Materials, Industrial Engineering School, University of Extremadura, Avenue Elvas s/n, 06006 Badajoz, Spain
José Ignacio Arranz: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Energy and Materials, Industrial Engineering School, University of Extremadura, Avenue Elvas s/n, 06006 Badajoz, Spain
Francisco Javier Lozano: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Energy and Materials, Industrial Engineering School, University of Extremadura, Avenue Elvas s/n, 06006 Badajoz, Spain
Manuel Matamoros: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Energy and Materials, Industrial Engineering School, University of Extremadura, Avenue Elvas s/n, 06006 Badajoz, Spain
Paloma Rodríguez: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Energy and Materials, Industrial Engineering School, University of Extremadura, Avenue Elvas s/n, 06006 Badajoz, Spain

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/en12214049
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 12, no. 21
p. 4049

Abstract

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Industry sector has an important impact on primary energy consumption at the international level, and solar energy constitutes a real alternative to cover these energy needs partially. Among thermosolar concentration technologies, Linear Fresnel Collector (LFC) technology has some advantages that make it more accessible to industries. With the aim of providing new tools for easier decision-making processes, in the present work, several energy audits were carried out in industries (located in the south-west of Europe, with considerable steam consumptions), quantifying thermal and energy consumptions and defining both work schedules and seasonality. Afterwards, a comparison based on three factors was carried out: Thermal consumption regarding total industry consumption, the performance of the work during the solar schedule, and the quantification of the monthly average concentrated energy for a certain LFC facility. The analysis carried out according to these criteria showed different results for each case, making a global assessment necessary to suitably ponder each factor. This analysis ranked tomato industries as the most suitable for LFC technology, due to the fact that their main operating period was during the months with the highest solar isolation, and the solar schedule was completely integrated in a 24-h working day. Also, industrial waxes and laundries showed a good combination of both facts.

Published in Energies

ISSN: 1996-1073 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Technology
Website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/energies

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