Hi Joe,
We've made some changes to the
function to make it more useful. These changes will be part of the update we plan to release next week (around January 17th).
In the new version,
returns
when it runs successfully, and
when it fails. A new function,
shows the PTGEN output to help with troubleshooting.
Here is sample code you can use to test the function when the new version is available:
setactivecase("tower")
outln("trying with SM = 2.4...")
SetInput("csp.pt.rec.solar_multiple",2.4) 'Set the solar multiple
ok = ptoptimize()
outln("ptgen result? " + ok )
text = ptgetoutput()
outln("output=\n" + text)
outln("")
outln("trying with SM = 8...")
SetInput("csp.pt.rec.solar_multiple",8) 'Set the solar multiple
ok = ptoptimize()
outln("ptgen result? " + ok )
text = ptgetoutput()
outln("output=\n" + text)
And the resulting output:
trying with SM = 2.4...
ptgen result? true
output=
PTGEN VERSION 27SEP12
Optimizing plant dimensions...
Optimization successful!
PTGEN SUCCESS
Set Tower Height: 203.33 m
Set Receiver Height: 20.41 m
Set Receiver Diameter: 17.67 m
Updated Heliostat Field (Span=360).
trying with SM = 8...
ptgen result? false
output=
PTGEN VERSION 27SEP12
Optimizing plant dimensions...
OPTIMIZATION ERROR!
DELSOL3 failed to produce an optimized plant design with the given parameters.
The maximum possible power level for any receiver with a 250.0 [m] tower
height is 1111.80 [MWth]. The max possible power level for a receiver with
diameter 23.00 [m] and with height 36.80 [m] is 1048.95 [MWth]. The minimum
power of interest is 2233.00 [MWth].
Based on this information, the following recommendations apply:
>>> It is likely that both the maximum tower height and the maximum
receiver dimensions are insufficient for this power level.
>>> Increase the maximum tower height and the maximum receiver
diameter and height.
>>> If these recommendations are unsuccessful, the maximum heliostat
field diameter may be too low, or the maximum flux on the receiver
may be too low.
Failed to invoke
I hope that helps. Happy SamULing!
Best regards,
Paul.