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The El Nasr
project involves the construction of a pilot 1,900 m2 parabolic trough
field to produce 8 bar/175ºC saturated process steam by flashing to
supply a pharmaceutical factory. Plant construction was completed in
September 2003. Steam was produced during the initial plant trials on
September 18, 2003 and supplied to the factory as soon as the existing
factory steam network was ready to receive solar steam in May 2004.
During 2004,
the unmanned plant performed very well except that the steam production
was lower than the contracted rate. Lotus investigations concluded that
the very aggressive operating environment (air) inside the chemical
factory led to rapid deterioration of both reflectance and absorptance
beyond the design 5%/yr rate. A rehabilitation program was completed in
2005 and performance was restored. Periodic rehabilitation is now
scheduled to combat rapid deterioration. Plant enlargement with an
additional linear collector loop failed to raise the necessary funding,
but is still planned.
During 2005
and 2006, Lotus continued operating the plant intermittently, at NREA
request, as they continue to promise plant acceptance at some
unspecified future date.
Production
peaks of 892 and 852 kg/hr have been logged on July 30 and October 30,
2006, respectively, which exceeds the production rate of 850 kg/hr
agreed with NREA on March 16, 2005 for the reference date of June 21,
2005.
The El Nasr
Solar Field
Low
temperature receiver module scheme
Comparison
between plant productivity for 2004-2005
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