What is a steam accumulation tank?

Steam accumulation tanks are generally cylindrical with elliptical ends and are manufactured from boiler plate. One of the main advantages is that the storage fluid is water, avoiding uncertainty in the price of the storage medium.

How does a steam storage tank save energy?

When steam is supplied, it condenses in the water contained in the storage tank, causing the water level to rise and creating excess pressure in the tank. Together with the tank insulation, this contributes to the energy conservation of the heat transfer medium.

What is steam accumulation?

Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed. Steam accumulation is one of the most effective ways of thermal energy storage (TES) for the solar thermal energy (STE) industry.

What is a gravity storage tank (Ruths accumulator)?

In contrast to the constant pressure storage tank, the advantage of the gravity storage tank (Ruths accumulator) is that it can supply steam directly without having to go via the steam boiler. Inside, it consists of a steam distributor with nozzles and mixing pipes.

What is an equal pressure storage tank?

In principle, the equal-pressure storage tank is an extension of the steam boiler. Boiling water is channelled from the boiler into the steam accumulator to charge the accumulator. If steam is required again, the equal-pressure storage tank returns the water to the boiler at a slightly lower temperature.

How does a solar power plant use steam?

During the discharge, steam is produced by lowering the pressure of the saturated liquid stored within the tank. Steam has the added benefit of being a common working fluid for power generation cycles, also eliminating the need for heat exchangers between the solar field and the power block.