Thermal energy absorbed and Solar field thermal output

Dear Paul,

I am using the SAM 2015.6.30 Version for the simulation of a parabolic trough solar plant.

I would like to know, what does the "Field HTF energy inertia (consumed) (MWh)" represent?

Does it account for the thermal energy that is consumed during the heating up of the pipes and the HTF to the working temperature (thermal capacity of the header/runner pipes and fluid) or only for the heat capacity of the fluid?
Is the field thermal power produced calculated according to the following formula?:

Field thermal power produced=Incident solar energy*optical efficiency-Receiver heat losses- Header pipe heat losses-HTF energy inertia

Best regards,
Alex

Dear Alex,
Please see Section 2.1.1 of Wagner (2011) listed under "Physical Trough Model" on the Performance Model Documentation page of this website:
sam.nrel.gov/performance
Best regards,

Paul.

Dear Paul,

thanks for the reply. I have already read this section in the manual and as I unsterstand, the field HTF energy inertia accounts not only for HTF thermal intertia but also for the piping components inertia. Am I right?

Nevertheless, I still doubt, whether the field thermal power produced is calculated according to the equation that I write above or according to the classic formula Q=m*Cp*(Tsys,h-Tsf,in).

Best regards,
Alex

Dear Paul,

excuse me for sending to you again. But I would need an answer as soon as possible about my question regarding the Field HTF thermal inertia, that I asked above, because I write a master's thesis and it is important for me.

What does it really represent? Does it account only for HTF thermal intertia or also for the piping components inertia? It is not so clear for me..
And so the field thermal power output is: Absorbed energy-Field HTF thermal inertial?

Thank you in advance.

Best regards,
Alex

Dear Paul,

I am reading the Technical Manual for the SAM Physical Trough Model and can not find out how the solar irradiance relates to the net output electrical power. The differential equations of internal energy are based on the change of temperature with time. Where do I find the relationship of solar irradiance with temperature or internal energy?

Thank you in advance.

Best regards,
Allana.