3 ms·
The reason just that this is a simple process for which a steam turbine can achieves 90% of the thermodynamic optimum. To my knowledge, the only reason people
by jessriedel 3y ago
The reason just that this is a simple process for which a steam turbine can achieves 90% of the thermodynamic optimum. To my knowledge, the only reason people consider alternatives is to reduce capital costs. You're still capped by thermodynamics though.
- nerdponx 3y agoThat's what I was wondering: if heat -> steam -> turbine is close enough to the theoretical upper limit and you get diminishing returns by other means. Still, it seems very indirect. Like generating solar power by using a parabolic mirror to heat water instead of photovoltaic panels... but of course I just found an example of doing that too: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parabolic_trough https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parabolic_trough
- Iulioh 3y agoThere are multiple solutions of that sort but all failed due to high maintenance costs Usually the liquid is some sort of oil that csn reach higher temperature and then the oil is used to heat water Another design uses hundreds of mirror centered around a high tower with molten salts as the heat medium The really good part of this design is that the molted salts can produce energy for 3-4h after the sun is set.