On the performance assessment of using alcohol/water mixtures in a solar Rankine cycle system with an evacuated tube collector
Journal
AIP Conference Proceedings
Journal Volume
1984
Date Issued
2018
Author(s)
Abstract
In this study, we experimentally explore the performance of using alcohol/water mixtures in a solar Rankine cycle system with an evacuated tube collector. The effects of the operating pressure and the composition of the working fluid on the temperature at exit of the solar collector and the heat transfer efficiency of the evacuated tube are investigated. Thermal resistance analysis is also performed to evaluate the heat losses of the evacuated tube. As the content of ethanol heightens, the lower latent heats and the lower boiling temperatures lead to a higher superheat at the exit of the evacuated tube, resulting in greater heat loss. On the other hand, ethylene glycol/water mixtures are unable to be heated beyond saturation at higher operating pressure, which eliminates their potential to be used in a solar Rankine cycle. Comparing to water, ethanol/water mixtures work very well because of its capability to produce dry, highly-superheated steam for the work-output device.
Type
conference paper