Heat transfer fluid (HTF) pumps circulate thermal oil of the primary circuit through the parabolic trough to heat it up and pump it:

  • to the solar steam generator in hybrid integrated solar combined-cycle (ISCC).
  • to the solar steam generator in parabolic trough without heat storage.
  • either to the solar steam generator or to the heat exchangers of the secondary circuit (molten salt) in parabolic trough with molten salt heat storage.

The main characteristics of HTF pumps are their high temperature and double sealing system.
Depending on the plant size, the HTF pumps can be either double or end suction type.

Sulzer provides the following single stage pumps as heat transfer fluid pumps for parabolic trough without heat storage power plants:

HZB-HTF BBS/CD ZF OHH
Capacities
Up to 4,000 m3/h /
17,500 USgpm 		Up to 5,000 m3/h /
22,000 USgpm 		Up to 2,600 m3/h /
11,440 USgpm 		Up to 2,250 m3/h /
10,000 USgpm
Heads Up to 340 m /
1,115 ft 		Up to 450 m /
1,500 ft 		Up to 300 m /
1,000 ft 		Up to 360 m /
1,200 ft
Pressures
 		Up to 48 bar /
700 psi 		Up to 50 bar /
740 psi 		Up to 100 bar /
1,450 psi 		Up to 75 bar /
1,100 psi
Temperatures Up to 425°C /
800°F 		Up to 425°C /
800°F 		Up to 425°C /
800°F 		Up to 425°C /
800°F

Products

  • ISO 13709 (API 610) BB2 - BBS Single Stage Double Suction Between Bearings Pump
    BBS and CD between bearings single stage pumps
    The BBS and CD models are API 610 (ISO 13709) type BB2, single stage, radially split pumps. They offer the widest range of hydraulic performance in the industry.
  • HZB-HTF double suction volute pump
    HZB-HTF double suction volute pump
    The HZB-HTF is a horizontal, radially split, single stage, double suction centerline mounted pump. The HZB-HTF are ideal for use in thermal oil applications for handling clean hot and hazardous liquids.
  • ISO 13709 (API 610) OH2 - OHH Single Stage Overhung Pump
    OHH overhung single stage pumps
    The OHH is our API 610 (ISO 13709) type OH2 overhung, horizontal, centerline mounted, single stage, radially split process pump.
  • ZE/ZF end suction pump range
    ZE/ZF end suction pump range
    The ZE/ZF are ideal pumps for arduous industrial applications handling clean, cold or hot liquids, including hydrocarbons and light chemicals.

Processes and applications
Heliostat Central Tower with Direct Steam Generator (DSG)

Heliostat central tower with direct steam generator (DSG)

Heliostat central tower is the most promising option for the future as it needs less space and can be more efficient than parabolic trough. It allows to generate either low rate saturated or high rate superheated steam.

Heliostat with Central Tower and Direct Steam Generation

Heliostat central tower generates electric power from sunlight by focusing concentrated solar radiation on a tower mounted heat exchanger (receiver). The system uses thousands of sun-tracking mirrors called heliostats to reflect the incident sunlight onto the receiver. In this case, the primary Heat Transfer Fluid (HTF) is water that will directly convert into steam.

Our experienced service engineers help you to maintain your rotating equipment at the highest level of availability and reliability.

Heliostat Central Tower with Molten Salt and Heat Storage

Heliostat central tower with molten salt and heat storage

Heliostat central tower is the most promising option for the future as it needs less space and can be more efficient than parabolic trough. It allows to generate high-rate superheated steam.

Heliostat with Central Tower and Molten Salt Heat Storage

In this variant, the primary Heat Transfer Fluid (HTF) is cold molten salt at around 295 ºC that are circulated through the tower mounted heat exchanger (receiver). Molten salts are heated up there to around to 565°C which allows to generate high rate superheated or even supercritical steam. A part of the hot molten salt is stored in the hot molten salt tank to be able to release it after the sunset; this system extends the operating time of the CSP plant by some additional 6-7 hours.

Our experienced service engineers help you to maintain your rotating equipment at the highest level of availability and reliability.

Hybrid Integrated Solar Combined-Cycle (ISCC)

Hybrid integrated solar combined-cycle (ISCC)

A hybrid between a fossil-fired power plant (i.e. gas-fired combined-cycle) and a CSP plant. The solar field (either parabolic trough, linear Fresnel reflector or heliostat central tower) provides additional steam during the hours of high sun radiation to feed the main steam turbine. This configuration is typically used for power increase of any kind fossil-fired power plant.

Hybrid Integrated Solar Combined Cycle (ISCC)

In a combined-cycle plant, the high temperature exhaust gas from the turbine passes through the heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) from which high-pressure steam is addressed to a steam turbine. In ISCC installations, additional thermal energy from the solar steam generator is injected into the HRSG of a conventional combined-cycle plant. This boosts steam production and consequently electrical output at relatively low extra cost.

Our experienced service engineers help you to maintain your rotating equipment at the highest level of availability and reliability.

Linear Fresnel Reflector

Linear Fresnel reflector

Linear Fresnel reflector is the receiver technology having the lowest investment cost. The cost savings come from the inexpensive planar mirrors and the very simple tracking system used.

Linear Fresnel Reflector with Direct Steam Generation

The linear Fresnel reflector width can easily be three times the width of parabolic troughs, thus, the same amount of energy can be collected with a fraction of the absorber tube length. Direct Steam Generation (DSG) usually allows only to generate low rate saturated steam.

Our experienced service engineers help you to maintain your rotating equipment at the highest level of availability and reliability.

Parabolic Trough with Molten Salt Heat Storage

Parabolic trough with molten salt heat storage

Parabolic trough with heat storage has been widely tested since the early 2000's in several locations in Spain. A parabolic trough is a type of solar thermal energy collector; it is constructed as a long parabolic mirror with a tube running its length at the focal point.

Parabolic Trough with Molten Salt Heat Storage

In this variant, a part of the thermal oil used as primary Heat Transfer Fluid (HTF) is circulated through a heat exchanger where the heat is transferred to the molten salts circulated in a secondary circuit. This heat is stored in the hot molten salt tank to be able to release it after the sunset which extends the operating time of the CSP plant by some additional 6-7 hours. The working temperature is conditioned by the thermal oil optimum at around 350 ºC allowing to generate only low rate steam.

Our experienced service engineers help you to maintain your rotating equipment at the highest level of availability and reliability.

Parabolic Trough without Heat Storage

Parabolic trough without heat storage

Parabolic trough without heat storage is the most mature receiver technology as it was widely tested since the late 80's in the Mojave Desert (USA). A parabolic trough is a type of solar thermal energy collector. It is constructed as a long parabolic mirror with a tube running its length at the focal point.

Parabolic Trough without Heat Storage

In a parabolic trough plant, sunlight is reflected by the mirror and concentrated on the tube where thermal oil used as primary Heat Transfer Fluid (HTF) is circulated. The thermal oil optimum working temperature is around 350 ºC which allows to generate low rate steam. These CSP plants without heat storage can operate only during the hours of high sun radiation.

Our experienced service engineers help you to maintain your rotating equipment at the highest level of availability and reliability.

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