Application of a single wire-mesh sensor in a parabolic trough facility with direct steam generation

The direct steam generation process can contribute to increase the cost-effectiveness of line-focused solar thermal power plants. The current research focuses on the once-through mode as very promising option for large-scale commercial plants. However, the existing pool of knowledge about the steam–water flow in the horizontal receiver pipes reveals knowledge gaps. The present contribution aims to experimentally investigate the two-phase flow in the receiver pipes of the DISS test facility at the Plataforma Solar de Almer´ıa, Spain, by an invasive measurement device for the first time. Therefore a conductance wire-mesh sensor is employed in the low-quality evaporation section of the DISS test facility. This measurement device measures the local instantaneous void fraction that is used to describe the prevailing flow pattern under different pressures and mass flow rates. The results show slug flow, roll waves, wavy flow, and stratified-wavy flow in the horizontal receiver pipes within pressures of 30 to 80 bar. The probability of slug flow or large-amplitude waves decreases with higher pressures. The findings provide a valuable knowledge about the flow structure within the receiver pipes and confirm the proof of function of the wire-mesh sensor under conditions of the direct steam generation process.