Skip to content

Solar Thermal System for Multi- Functional application

Subcategory (under Clean Energy): Solar (Thermal)
Technology Readiness Level (TRL): TRL 4 - Early prototype
Technology Outline (Process Description)

The Solar Thermal pilot plant of Solar Energy Harnessing Centre is established at Pathashala campus, Vallipuram (about 70 km from IIT Madras). Various components of the solar thermal system such as concentrated solar thermal energy collector, steam turbine generator (STG), multi- effect distillation (MED) system, and steam jet cooling system and associated instrumentation & control, were established at this centre covering a land area of about two-acres. Direct super-heated steam (45 bar, 350- 400 C) generated by LFR solar energy collector (2200 m2) is installed and tested. The thermal energy harnessed by the LFR system is utilised for driving 100 kW STG. Thermal energy from the exhaust of the steam turbine is effectively utilised to desalinate ground water using MED having the production capacity of 5 m3 per day. The thermal energy harnessed during the start-up and shut down of the LFR system that cannot be used for driving the steam turbine is stored in an accumulator and in-turn utilised for driving a steam jet refrigeration system of capacity 5 TR. All the major process parameters were monitored and controlled to optimize the overall thermal energy utilization of the harnessed solar energy. A PLC-SCADA based system has been established for process & Sun tracking control, data collection and analysis.

Salient Features/Advantages

  • Generation of direct superheated steam for power generation and process application.
  • Demonstration of optimal use of solar thermal energy harnessed.
  • Establishment of well-equipped centre for harnessing and utilization of solar thermal energy carrying out solar thermal energy R&D.

Key Outcomes

A solar thermal plant to produce 100 kW power with heat recovery systems to generate 5 KLD distilled water and 5 TR water chilling system.

IP Protection details

  • Patent filed (Title, national/International): Nil.
  • Patents Granted: Nil.
  • Copyrights obtained /progress on commercialisation /Pl. specify connect with industry: Nil.

Contact details (for more information)

  • Nodal Person name: Prof. T. Sundararajan
  • Email ID: tsundar@iitpkd.ac.in
  • Organisation name (Relevant link/web page): Indian Institute of Technology, Madras
Supporting Photographs/Images

Organizations involved in the development (logo/name)

Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai.

Anna University, Chennai.

Scroll to Top