Dynamic Modeling of a Thermochemical System for Solar Fuel Production Based on an Open-Source Framework

Abstract

This paper describes the dynamic process model for a solar fuels synthesis plant currently being built in Germany. The open-source, equation-based modelling language Modelica is used as the foundation. In this plant, biogas and steam are reformed, producing synthesis gas and subsequently turned into synthetic crude oil. This work contains the necessary model setups for the thermal energy storage, solar-absorbing gas receiver and reforming reactor to consider the thermohydraulic, thermochemical and radiative interactions occurring in the process. The remaining infrastructure is modeled with the Modelica Standard Library. A way to fit these models with experimental data for validation is also outlined.

Keywords

• Dynamic Simulation
• Modelica
• Solar Fuels
• Thermochemical Equilibrium
• Dry Reforming
• Steam Reforming