Large Scale Solar Process Heat Systems -planning, Realization and System Operation

Within the FP7-InSun project three different solar process heat systems have been installed and integrated in two different industrial processes. A 1067 m2 advanced flat plate collector field and a 130 m2 parabolic trough system have been installed at a ham and sausage production in Austria to preheat the feed water of a steam boiler and to prepare hot water for cleaning and drying processes. A 2640 m2 Fresnel collector field installed at a brick fabrication in Italy produces steam at 180 °C and 12 bars to heat air for a brick drying process. In this paper the experiences made during planning, installation, commissioning and regular system operation will be described and discussed together with measured performance data. Furthermore, system costs and cost improvements reached by optimization in the collector production and standardization of system integration devices are shown and discussed together with future application potentials on the basis of detailed simulation studies carried out during the project.