Using SAM to Model Solar-Steam Generator

Hi, I am a student using SAM for the first time to develop CSP parabolic trough model for Solar-to-Steam Generation. It seem like there are many inputs/outputs directly relating to SSG. Do you have any advice on the primary and important inputs/outputs required to fully develop and analyze a model of such?

Hi Alfred,

Please see the video listed under Industrial Process heat as a starting point: sam.nrel.gov/concentrating-solar-power/csp-videos.html .

Best regards,
Paul.

Alfred

A useful approach when starting out is to use the Generate Code menu option for you chosen model to generate sample code in your preferred programming language. Just choosing the model with default values (i.e. choose model and then straight away generate code) usually gives a set of values for all inputs for you to examine (and come to understand). The IPH video Paul mentions has a sample (albeit for an earlier version of the model) also gives you a starting point.

Kind regards

Angus

Hi Paul,
Thank you very much for your video suggestion. I had seen the video earlier; however, when I try to model the solar-steam generator SAM allows one of two options for the solar field. With SAM in general it is either you use the aperture area or a solar multiple, from which SAM uses one to calculate the other.
This posed a issue for me because I have a real pilot studies (data) which I wanted to use for my comparative analysis but the calculated variable (Solar Field area/ Thermal Output) do not match. I wonder if you have any idea or work around about this issue.
Also the I want to ask if you know the possibility of directly or indirectly (MATLAB) entering other parameters (steam quality to be precise) into the model.
As well modeling an heat exchanger free model on SAM.
Best regards,
Alfred

Hi Alfred,

As you note, for the industrial process heat parabolic trough model, it is not possible to specify the aperture area as an input.To model your particular system, you will need enough information to specify the parameters on the Solar Field, Collectors, and Receivers page so that the solar multiple you specify results in an aperture area that matches that of the actual system.

As Angus mentioned above, you can use SAM's code generator to create MATLAB code that sets the value of SAM inputs by interacting with SAM's application programming interface (API). For more about that see the SDK page . However, that approach does not make it possible to modify internal calculations of the model.

Best regards,
Paul.