AT CAD Team/AT solar power tower
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The AT solar power tower or "solar pyramid in pit" is an appropriate technology solar power tower.
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[edit] Solar pyramid in pit 1A
The solar power tower 1A is placed in a pit in the soil so as to take advantage of the increased insulation provided by the soil. A reflective surface is added (ie thin metal surface) to redirect any sunlight falling into the pit towards the pyramid. Additional sunlight can be provided to the pyramid by means of heliostats (placed on buildings). The inside of the pyramid is filled with water, which is transformed to steam due to the heating. This steam in turn is used to drive a piston which generates electricity. The AT solar power tower also functions as a mere water heater aswell, providing hot water for several buildings around town. A (seperated) water ring serves as a water store for incoming (cold) and outgoing (hot) water. Cold water comes in from the right half of the ring, hot water goes out the left side. On the left, there is also a condensor hooked up to a pipe that conducts excess steam (valve is opened when there is overpressure). The pyramid is also made directional, so it must be oriented towards the south (in areas in the northern hemisphere) or towards the north (in areas in the southern hemisphere) (see: http://www.macslab.com/optsolar.html)
[edit] Solar pyramid in pit 1B
The solar power tower 1B is placed in a pit in the soil so as to take advantage of the increased insulation provided by the soil. A reflective surface is added (ie thin metal surface) to redirect any sunlight falling into the pit towards the pyramid. Additional sunlight can be provided to the pyramid by means of heliostats (placed on buildings). The inside of the pyramid is filled with water, which is transformed to steam due to the heating. This steam in turn is used to drive a (Tesla) turbine which generates electricity. The AT solar power tower also functions as a mere water heater aswell, providing hot water for several buildings around town. A (seperated) water ring serves as a water store for incoming (cold) and outgoing (hot) water. Cold water comes in from the right half of the ring, hot water goes out the left side. On the left, there is also a condensor hooked up to a pipe that conducts excess steam (valve is opened when there is overpressure). The pyramid is also made directional, so it must be oriented towards the south (in areas in the northern hemisphere) or towards the north (in areas in the southern hemisphere) (see: http://www.macslab.com/optsolar.html)
[edit] Solar pyramid in pit 2
The solar power tower is placed in a pit in the soil so as to take advantage of the increased insulation provided by the soil. A reflective surface is added (ie thin metal surface) to redirect any sunlight falling into the pit towards the pyramid. Additional sunlight can be provided to the pyramid by means of heliostats (placed on buildings). The inside of the pyramid is filled with oil, and a (Alpha-type) Stirling motor (see http://www.appropedia.org/Stirling_motor) was added (with 4 pistons to smoothen operation). Cooling of the lower pistons is done by means of water. The pyramid is also made directional, so it must be oriented towards the south (in areas in the northern hemisphere) or towards the north (in areas in the southern hemisphere) (see: http://www.macslab.com/optsolar.html) The 3D model was made by Xayzer (see http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/search?uq=0638468642647248596253588&scoring=m) for Appropedia’s AT CAD Team (http://www.appropedia.org/AT_CAD_Team) and was released by the AT CAD Team to this CAD model library by the AT CAD Team.
[edit] Possible improvements
After completion of solar pyramid v2, I find that the building of a steam turbine may be a bit difficult/expensive. Perhaps that it is possible to simply improve the efficiency of regular piston steam engines by using several chambers, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compound_engine#Multiple_expansion_engines (this needs checking though)
Also, we can improve efficiency by using steam condensers after the engine, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_condenser and http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Deletion_requests/File:Oxyfuel_CCS_fossil_fuel_power_plant_operation.png. Finally, perhaps that it would be possible to also add an air compressor to improve efficiency, see http://www.brashengines.com/FAQ.html
See also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_talk:Andy_Dingley#Steam_engine_efficiencies and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_steam_road_vehicles#Renewed_intrest
Another thing which leaves room for improvement (a bit costly otherwise) are the heliostats, appearantly besides metal, glass can also be used (see: ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2009/09/solar/johnson-text ). Perhaps this can be made locally.
[edit] Gallery
AT solar power tower 1A piston engine explained
Placement of solar power tower method 1; The spacing of the CSP would depend on the size of the CSP, aswell as the region (more/less power can be generated as the amount of sunshine depends on the region of construction)
Placement of solar power tower method 2
