Patent ID: 9051923
Filing Date: 2015-06-09
Classification: F03G,F24S,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A dual energy solar thermal power plant having a rated output power range from 1 MVA (mega Volt-Ampere) to 300 MVA range with dual energy sources being solar energy and natural gas comprising: a. a plurality of solar energy collectors connected in series, each having: b. a heat exchanger receiving heat from the heat transfer fluid, wherein the heat transfer fluid circulates in a primary loop, wherein a heat transfer circulation pump circulates the heat transfer fluid through the primary loop; and further comprising a heat transfer fluid storage tank, wherein the transfer fluid storage tank retains a quantity of heat transfer fluid; c. a steam superheater receiving heat from the heat exchanger, wherein the steam superheater provides superheated steam for the dual energy solar thermal power plant, wherein the superheated steam is in a secondary loop, wherein the steam superheater has a water section and a burner section, wherein the burner section drives the dual energy solar thermal power plant at night; d. a steam turbine powered by steam from the superheater; wherein the steam turbine is a low temperature turbine having a required minimum steam temperature of less than 360° C.; e. an electrical generator powered by the steam turbine, wherein the steam turbine drives the electrical generator to provide electrical power output as an electrical current; f. a condensate pump receiving a stream of exhausted steam from the steam turbine, wherein the condensate pump sends the stream of exhausted steam to a condenser; a feed pump receiving water from the condenser, wherein the feed pump feeds a deaerator, wherein the water is then recycled back to the heat exchanger; g. a temperature sensor mounted on the plurality of solar energy collectors, wherein the temperature sensor is configured to sense a temperature of the heat exchange fluid; h. a third valve and a fifth valve, wherein the third valve and the fifth valve are configured so when the temperature sensor indicates that the temperature of the heat exchange fluid is less than a desired setpoint temperature the third valve is closed and the fifth valve is opened to allow the heat exchange fluid to recirculate in the plurality of solar energy collectors until the desired setpoint temperature has been reached; i. a first pressurizer and a second pressurizer are connected to the secondary loop maintaining the water in liquid state when the temperature is above a boiling point; j. a sixth valve controlling a heated fluid flow from the heat exchanger to the steam superheater; k. a switchyard holding a main step-up transformer, an auxiliary transformer, and a high voltage circuit breaker; l. a switchgear receiving the electrical current from the electrical generator, wherein the switchgear divides the electrical current into two branches with one large branch fed into the main step-up transformer and one smaller branch fed into the auxiliary transformer that powers the dual energy solar thermal power plant, wherein the high voltage circuit breaker receives output power from the stepup transformer before sending it to an outside power grid as electrical power.