(Elsevier, 2025-04-01) Ibarra Mollá, Mercedes; Barbero Fresno, Rubén; Rovira de Antonio, Antonio José; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9859-2435; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6033-1309; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6810-3757
This study compares the performance of two solar thermal systems, MAND and AMTP, designed for industrial process heat using a rotating Fresnel collector (Sundial) and Phase Change Material (PCM) thermal energy storage (TES). The systems differ in their latitude and in their demand profiles: MAND, located at low latitude, has a continuous 24-hour demand, while AMTP, located at high latitude, has a daytime-only demand. Through steady-state simulations, both daily and yearly performance were analyzed to assess the impact of these differences on system behavior. The designed system achieved annual energy outputs of 26,34 MWh and 25,37 MWh for the two case studies, over the prescribed target of 25 MWh and capacity factors of 30,34% and 32,11%.
Results demonstrate that TES plays distinct roles in each system, with carryover storage being crucial for MAND and maximizing heat exchanger operation being more important for AMTP. The analysis highlights the importance of tailoring system design and control strategies to specific industrial process requirements and demonstrated the feasibility of integrating the ASTEP system for industrial applications, even with not favorable conditions like high latitude and daytime-only demand.
