CIEMATRI-002
HTF Test Loop
Parabolic Trough · 1997
425 °CNominal output temperature [°C]
15 barNominal output pressure [bar abs]
350Nominal power on target [kW]
About this facility
The HTF test loop is an ideal facility for evaluating parabolic-trough collector components under real solar energy operating conditions. The facility is appropriately instrumented for qualification and monitoring of the following components:
- New designs of parabolic trough collectors (up to 75 m long).
- Parabolic trough collector mirrors.
- Parabolic trough collector absorber tubes.
- New designs of ball-joints or flexible hoses for connecting parabolic-trough collectors in the solar field.
- Solar tracking systems. The facility consists of a closed thermal-oil circuit connected to three solar collectors that are 75 m long and connected in parallel. With the current available 45-kW oil pump can operate several collectors at a time. The east-west rotating axis of the solar collectors increases the number of hours per year in which the angle of incidence of solar radiation is less than 5°. The thermal oil used in this facility (Syltherm 800®) has a maximum working temper ature of 420°C and a freezing point of –40°C.
Sectors and technologies
Power generation, Industrial Process Heat (125-400°C)
Technical specifications
17 parameters| Facility type | Parabolic Trough |
|---|---|
| Year of construction | 1997 |
| Total number of collectors | 3 |
| Type of collector | Half ET-150 collector, half URSSA trough collector and half Albiasa trough collector, connected in parallel |
| Collector length/width [m] | Three collectors, each 75 m long |
| Collector orientation | East-West |
| Type of receiver | Several receiver types/manufacturers; receiver tubes are periodically replaced for testing |
| Working fluid | Thermal oil Syltherm-800 |
| Nominal output temperature [°C] | 425 °C |
| Nominal output pressure [bar abs] | 15 bar |
| Nominal power on target [kW] | 350 |
| Total reflective area [m²] | 1234 |
| Reflectivity of reflective area (when clean) | 0.92 |
| Peak flux on target [kW/m²] | 40 |
| Maximum sun concentration | 44 |
| Power conversion system | No; hot oil is cooled down in an air-cooled heat exchanger |
| Thermal energy storage | No |
Available services
- Geometrical assessment of Solar Concentrators (Single Facets, Point and Line Focus Collectors)
- Optical and thermal characterization of solar concentrators
- Parabolic Trough Collector’s Characterization
- Outdoor optical and thermal performance of PTC linear receivers
- Testing of components for parabolic troughs solar fields with oil under real operating conditions
- Testing of Rotating Connections for PT receivers (Flexible hoses, ball-joints, etc.)
Contact & links
Diego-César Alarcón-Padilla (diego.alarcon@psa.es)