Power, cool and water production by innovative cycles fed by solar energy

Abstract

Paper presented to the 3rd Southern African Solar Energy Conference, South Africa, 11-13 May, 2015.

The paper analyses complex arrangements for engines that can be engineered using Car Engine Turbocharger Technology. Such engines can be fed by concentrated solar energy, and are capable of producing Mechanical Power, Cool Power and Water concurrently. Ideal cycle analysis demonstrate a high rate of Solar Energy utilization for both mechanical power and cool power, as well as water production. An ideal Power fraction of thermal power from the sun over 50% can be expected. The maximum overall (mechanical and cool power) utilization factor of solar thermal power entering the engine is expected to be about twice the level of previous fractions.