Post-Installation Performance Characteristics of a Solar-Driven System for Industrial Dehumidification and Steam Generation

摘要

At the 2009 ACEEE Summer Study, the author presented a paper on a unique cutting-edge solar thermal dehumidification and steam generation project proposed for the Steinway & Sons US piano manufacturing facility located in New York City. As a result, the authors received requests to publish performance data once available. This follow-on paper will present available postinstallation performance data and characterization of the system, as well as installation challenges, operational considerations, overall lessons learned, and the applicability of this technology in industry. Additionally, a synopsis of the feasibility analysis, system configuration, design parameters, and funding sources will be discussed. It is the largest industrial double-effect solar application to date to use the heat for both steam generation and cooling. Steinway installed thirty-eight rooftop tracking parabolic trough solar energy collectors that generate 340°F pressurized hot water. In the summer months, this solar fluid drives a 100- ton double-effect absorption chiller enabling humidity management in a moisture sensitive assembly area that had previously encountered high scrap and rework rates. When solar resources are not available, the dual-fuel chiller uses natural gas for the same effect. If dehumidification is not needed and the collectors can generate hot water above 275°F, a steam generator is used to develop 15-psig steam to offset a portion of the plant’s minimum 1,200 kBtu/h load. Simultaneous dehumidification and steam generation is also supported. The project was completed in the summer of 2010 and was partially funded by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and federal tax benefits.