Experiences with Direct Steam Generation at the Kanchanaburi Solar Thermal Power Plant

In 2011 the parabolic trough power plant TSE1 has started operation in Thailand. As a novelty it uses the direct steam generation (DSG) process, evaporating and super heating water and steam directly in the solar field. During the commissioning phase and first months of operation the start-up procedure has been optimised for the solar field and turbine system resulting in a reduced start-up time. The DSG process can be controlled well in the evaporator and super heater section securing a safe operation of the solar field and keeping live steam parameters in an acceptable range for the turbine even at fluctuating DNI. Apart from pressure control also control of the plant’s electrical power output is possible, depending on DNI and electricity demand.