CIEMATRI-001
PTTL Test Loop
Parabolic Trough · 2014
425 °CNominal output temperature [°C]
15 barNominal output pressure [bar abs]
About this facility
The PTTL test facility is a BOP for testing of full parabolic trough loops. It is implemented in a 420 m x 180 m plot of the PSA, and it is composed of two solar fields:
- The North field is designed to install complete parabolic trough collectors with a maximum unit length of 180 m in E-W orientation. Up to four complete collectors can be installed in parallel.
- The South field is designed to install complete loops of parabolic trough collectors (PTC), i.e., several collectors connected in series, with a maximum length of 640 m and orientation North—South. Up to four complete loops can be installed in parallel. This outdoor life-size test facility offers the following capacities:
- Qualification of complete PTC prototypes assessing their optical peak efficiency, incidence angle modifier and thermal losses.
- Evaluation of durability and reliability of PTC mirrors, receiver tubes, ball-joints, flex hoses, sun tracking systems and all the elements installed in complete rows of collectors.
- Evaluation of PTC solar field control algorithms.
Sectors and technologies
Power generation, Industrial Process Heat (125-400°C)
Technical specifications
10 parameters| Facility type | Parabolic Trough |
|---|---|
| Year of construction | 2014 |
| Total number of collectors | This facility is devoted to test full loops of parabolic trough collectors (PTC) |
| Collector length/width [m] | PTTL North Field allows up to four collectors connected in parallel with maximum length of 180 m. PTTL South Field allows up to four complete loops connected in parallel with maximum length of 640 m. |
| Collector orientation | PTTL North Field: E-W; PTTL South Field: N-S |
| Working fluid | Thermal oil Syltherm-800 |
| Nominal output temperature [°C] | 425 °C |
| Nominal output pressure [bar abs] | 15 bar |
| Power conversion system | Air cooling system that dissipates thermal energy |
| Technical data of auxiliary equipment | North field: oil pump 75 m³/h, air-refrigerated oil cooler 1.5 MWth. South field: oil pump 125 m³/h, air-refrigerated oil cooler 4 MWth. Oil expansion tank: 30 m³; gas-fired oil heater: 250 kW. |
Available services
Reflectors and concentrators3 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
Absorbers and receivers2 services
- Outdoor optical and thermal performance of PTC linear receivers
- Testing of components for parabolic troughs solar fields with oil under real operating conditions
Auxiliary equipment1 service
- Testing of Rotating Connections for PT receivers (Flexible hoses, ball-joints, etc.)
Contact & links
Diego-César Alarcón-Padilla (diego.alarcon@psa.es)