Large-scale solar industrial-process-heat system for Caterpillar Tractor Co. Preliminary design report

A large-scale solar process heat demonstration project is proposed for a plant where diesel engine components are produced. The existing plant is described, including climate, and design procedures are described. Four alternative solar collectors are described briefly, and the one selected for the project, a parabolic trough collector, is described in more detail. The basic system design concept is to heat a portion of the plant process hot water with solar energy during periods that it is available, and to use the current fossil fuel boilers when the sun is not shining. Wind loads and useful solar energy gains are analyzed. The economic feasibility and safety of the system are studied. Environmental impacts are assessed, and plans are presented for collecting performance data and evaluating the system. (LEW)