Production of steam using solar receiver technology

Data resulting from the operation of the Solar Central Receiver Steam Production System at Weizmann Institute of Science was compared to data calculated from modelling computer codes on receiver tube surface temperatures, absorbed power, efficiency and steam quality. Good correspondence was shown between calculated and observed data. Extrapolation to higher flux inputs and lower circulation rates using the models indicated that the heat flux on the evaporation panel could safely be raise to 900 kw/m2 and to saturate steam temperatures of 260 degrees C from the original designed 300 kw/m2 and 200 degrees C respectively. Furthermore a preliminary economic analysis indicated that this cavity receiver system could be operated competitively at levels 10-100 megawatts thermal equivalent steam production. (authors)