Argonne National Laboratory

ABSTRACT:
ANL/RBC is a FORTRAN computer program which calculates cycle performance and the sizes and costs of system components for Rankine Bottoming Cycles. This computer program is an expanded/modified version of an earlier undocumented computer program, originally developed by J. L. Krazinski of ANL and used for the comparison study reported in Ref. 1. As an option the code can be used to calculate performance for a given system for "off-design" conditions, which are defined below. The basic system model consists of a user- defined Rankine cycle, which extracts heat from a source gas stream, (e.g., the exhaust stream of a prime-mover), and rejects heat to a coolant stream. The gas flow rate and gas inlet temperature are assumed to be known fixed quantities. Using input data which define the working fluid and cycle conditions (e.g., turbine inlet pressure and temperature, condensing temperature, component efficiencies, etc.) the code calculates the power output of the Rankine cycle and the sizes of the heat exchangers for the cycle. An option is provided to calculate the costs of the various system components, using cost data supplied by the user. The code allows a number of cases to be run at one time, for different conditions of turbine inlet temperature and pressure. These different turbine inlet conditions may be specified by the user for each case, or calculated automatically for a user specified mesh over ranges of pressure and temperature.… (lisätietoja)

ABSTRACT:
This report assesses the net energy balance of seven electric energy systems: two coal-based, one nuclear, two terrestrial solar, and two solar power satellites, with principal emphasis on the latter two systems. Solar energy systems require much less operating energy per unit of electrical output. However, on the basis of the analysis used here, coal and nuclear systems are two to five times more efficient at extracting useful energy from the primary resource base than are the solar energy systems. The payback period for all systems is less than 1.5 years, except fop the terrestrial photovoltaic (19.8 yr) and the solar power satellite system (6.4 yr), both of which rely on energy-intensive silicon cells.… (lisätietoja)

ABSTRACT:
The objective of this report is to present a preliminary comparative assessment of land use for satellite power systems and several alternative electric energy technologies. A methodology for performing the assessment is described. Several past efforts at comparative or single-technology assessment are reviewed briefly. The current state of knowledge about land use is described for each technology. Conclusions are drawn regarding deficiencies in the data on comparative land use and needs for further research.… (lisätietoja)

ABSTRACT:
The work reported here is part of the Satellite Power System Concept Development and Evaluation Program (SPS CDEP), established by the SPS Project Office of the U.S. Department of Energy. The purpose of that program is to generate information from which rational decisions can be made regarding development of SPS technology after fiscal year 1980. One phase of the SPS CDEP is the comparative assessment of the SPS and selected alternative energy systems with regard to the technical, economic, environmental, societal, and institutional issues surrounding the deployment of these technologies. Environmental issues concern the health and safety risks associated with energy systems, and the SPS and four alternative electrical generation systems are assessed here with regard to such risks. This report presents the results of an initial phase of the health and safety assessment.… (lisätietoja)