Application of Recuperative Gas Cycles with a Bypass Heat Generator to Solar Energy Power Plants

Gas cycles are being studied for solar energy power plants on account of the attractive prospects they offer for an efficient heat source utilization. By using a particular arrangement applicable to open or closed recuperative gas cycles, consisting of a heat generator partly bypassing the low pressure side of the recuperator, further improvements can be effected in gas turbine systems. They result in favorable conditions for power and high temperature heat cogeneration, for combined gas and steam cycles, and for flexible plant operation. Specific aspects of solar energy are investigated. They mainly concern variations in operating conditions, energy storage, energy conversion efficiency and combined cycles. Applications are made to open and closed cycle power plants. As the combination of a solar receiver with a fossil-fired auxiliary heat source is considered, fossil-fired power plants with an auxiliary solar heating are examined.