Energy and Power Engineering
Vol.08 No.04(2016), Article ID:66184,11 pages
10.4236/epe.2016.84020

Optimisation of Electrical Distribution System by Using Solar Thermal Powered Systems and Its Impact on Electrical Distribution Feeders

Punnaiah Veeraboina1, G. Yesuratnam2

1Department of Electrical Engineering, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Hyderabad, India

2Department of Electrical Engineering, Osmania University, Hyderabad, India

Copyright © 2016 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc.

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY).

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Received 11 February 2016; accepted 26 April 2016; published 29 April 2016

ABSTRACT

In this research, the performance of the solar thermal powered systems (STPS) is analyzed with different models (without inserts, with inserts and with Nano fluids with different concentrations) and its impact on the Electric load in a residential/Institutional Electrical Distribution system. For this purpose, the electrical and solar thermal water heater is tested and validated. Solar thermal powered systems and its impact on the Institutional electrical distribution feeders are tested and compared with the energy efficiency (EE) and cost optimization. The goal of this paper is to analyze the impact of solar thermal energy on electrical energy consumption in the electrical distribution feeder level. The electrical system cost and energy consumptions are tabulated and observed that there is a considerable savings.

Keywords:

Solar Thermal Power Systems, Electrical Distribution Feeder, Energy Consumption, Automatic Power Factor Correction, Electrical Heaters

1. Introduction

As the cost of energy continues to rise and research budgets grow ever tighter, lab’s autoclave is an excellent place to create savings without compromising on usability or results. Autoclaves kill different pathogens by subjecting the equipment and tools to steam 121˚C for 30 minutes. Institutional electrical water heating is considered the second most energy-intensive activity which accounts for approximately 15% of a home’s energy consumption, after HVAC [1] . This fraction could be as high as 30% for residents in winter dominated parts of the world [2] . Solar thermal water heating systems which utilize solar energy to produce hot water can be easily retrofitted into existing electric/gas water heating systems. Solar domestic hot water systems have been widely adopted since they use solar radiation which is free of cost, despite the changes that need to be incorporated to existing systems―such as installation of solar collectors, preheat tanks, internal or external heat exchangers, and circulation control and piping systems [3] [4] . B. S. Swanson and J. H. Fletcher [5] investigate the effects of solar thermal water heaters (includes the integral collector storage and active drain-back open loop systems) on peak demand.

Generally, a residential electric water heater with a tank for hot water storage is set to heat water at the outlet to a setting point of value Tset, with a Tdelta dead band [6] [7] . As soon as hot water is drawn, an equal amount of cold water replenishes the tank at the same flow rate. When the mixed water temperature at the outlet drops below the lower bound, i.e. Ttank < Tset + Tdelta, the heating elements are turned on to work at rated power till the outlet hot water temperature attains the set point value, i.e. Tset + Tdelta. Water heaters with storage tanks are not free of the standby loss, unlike the tank less water heaters. The heating elements are turned off unless the outlet temperature is not within the range of the dead band, i.e. Tset − Tdelta ≤ Ttank ≤ Tset + Tdelta.

Solar water heating systems are in high demand. Typically, 30% - 40% of a family’s electricity bill is devoted to devoted water. Sun Heat’s system can save the individual family from 70% to 90% of the total amount spent on the Electricity used for heating water. The system generally meets all of the summer time heating needs. During times of decreased sunlight, the system will preheat the water then bring it up to temperature by the conventional water heating system already in place.

For the flat plate collectors, glass panes play an important role in auxiliary electric energy consumption. Flat plate collectors with two glass panes save about 10% - 15% auxiliary electrical energy compared to those with no glass panes and about 3% - 5% energy saving compared to collectors with one glass pane. This is because there are reduced wind convective losses with glass panes. However, there are also transmittance losses from glass panes and there are upper limits on how many glass panes can be used.

The present research is focused on optimization of electrical distribution system (i.e., to reduce the electrical materials used in the system) by using the enhanced solar water heating system (SWHS) and its impact on the electrical distribution feeders. The main purpose is to reduce the Electrical energy consumption and system ratings (i.e., transformer size, cable sizes, MCB’s and feeder sizes).

2. Autoclaves

Autoclaving is one of the techniques used in moist heat sterilisation. All R&D organisations and other hospitals requiring their tools to be sterilized need autoclaves. Inlet water to the Autoclaves is normal raw water which is having a temperature between 20˚C - 26˚C depending upon the season. The operational temperature for the Autoclave is 121˚C. There is huge gap between the inlet temperature to the Autoclaves and required for operation. By using the different technics, the experiments are carryout on the Solar flat plate collectors with different models (with inserts, without inserts & by using Nano-fluids) to enhance the output temperature at 90˚C. Considerable energy is saved in this system by using solar heated water than the conventional Electrical water heaters. The savings are not only the Electrical Energy savings but also the savings on the SITC (Supply, Installation, Testing and Commissioning) of Electrical Installations (Electrical Distribution System). The principle behind the working of an Autoclave is that-The higher the pressure created inside the autoclave, the higher would be the attainable temperature inside it.

The boiling point of water at normal atmospheric pressure is 100˚C. when the free-flowing steam at a temperature of 100˚C is subjected under pressure of 1 atmosphere above the sea-level pressure i.e., 15 lbs pressure per sq. inch, the temperature inside the autoclave happens to rise up to 121˚C, which is an usual and common parameters employed in the moist heat sterilisation.

Steam enters the chamber jacket, passes through an operating valve and enters the rear of the chamber behind a baffle plate. It flows forward and down through the chamber and the load, exiting at the front bottom. A pressure regulator maintains jacket and chamber pressure at a minimum of 15 psi, the pressure required for steam to reach 121˚C. Overpressure protection is provided by a safety valve. The average American home would take 45 years to consume that much energy. This extreme example serves as a reminder of how resource-intensive high- volume, high-throughput medical-grade autoclaves can be.

2.1. Mode of Action/Principle of Moist Heat Sterilization

Moist heat destroys microorganisms by the irreversible denaturation of enzymes and structural proteins. The temperature at which denaturation occurs varies inversely with the amount of water present. Sterilization in saturated steam thus requires precise control of time, temperature, and pressure.

Pressure serves as a means to obtain the high temperatures necessary to quickly kill microorganisms. Specific temperatures must be obtained to ensure the microbicidal activity. Minimum sterilization time should be measured from the moment when all the materials to be sterilized have reached the required temperature throughout.

Most of the manufactures recommends the sterilization process in an autoclave are 15 min. at 121˚C and pressure at 2 atm. Table 1 represents the different combinations of temperature, pressure and time. Control and monitor the process is purely based on the temperature and pressure settings to obtain the required steam temperature.

Sterilization may be carried out some time even below at 121˚C shown in Figure 1, it’s mostly depends upon the pressure and temperature during the sterilisation.

Steam held at elevated temperature and pressure for time is used to transfer moist heat. Steam has much greater heat transfer than boiling water, −80 calories to boil water, 540 calories to produce steam. Heat acts to denature proteins, effectively killing all cells present.

The steam of the autoclave shown above has been provided from a solar flat plate collector which was stored in a thermal storage system. The required temperature for the Autoclave system is 121˚C. Normally the solar water heating system is designed for 60˚C. But by using the different technics (with inserts and with Nano-fluids) the temperature of the solar flat plat collector is enhanced from 60˚C - 90˚C.

Hospitals, R&D labs and other regional health centres can greatly benefit from using solar Autoclaves. Rural Primary Health Clinics where Electricity is not available to generate steam could benefit from solar Autoclaves.

2.2. Impact on Solar thermal Autoclaves on Electrical Distribution Load

Impact on Solar thermal Autoclaves on Electrical Distribution Load in Institutional Building @60˚C and its cost analysis at 500 kVA level is shown in Table 2.

Table 1. Different combinations of temperature, pressure and time.

Figure 1. Time vs temperature graph for sterilisation.

Table 2. Electrical load and the cost analysis of solar autoclaves.

Capacity of the Autoclave is 72 kW. Each Electrical Element is 18 kW.

Number of Electrical elements is 04 Nos.

So, total capacity of the Autoclave is 18 kW × 04 Nos = 72 kW.

Electrical Power Consumption/day:

18 kW × 04 Nos × 30 min (0.5 Hrs) = 36 kWh.

Daily number of loads is 06 times, Number of Autoclaves is 02 Nos.

So, the total Electrical Energy consumption/day = 36 kW × 06 Nors × 02 systems = 432 kWh.

Number of units per month:

Normally R&D labs will work only 05 day week, so, the number days per month = 20 days.

Number of units consumed per month = 432 kWh × 20 days = 8640 units.

As per Cat-II tariff, per unit charge is Rs 7 per unit.

So, the Electrical Power consumption per year is 8640 units × Rs 7 = Rs 60,480.

Electrical Power Consumption per year:

Rs 60,480 × 12 Months = Rs 725,760.

Figure 2 represents the SLD (Single Line Diagram) and Bill of Materials (BoQ) of 500 kVA Electrical Distribution system at feeder level.

Designed capacity of the Electrical Distribution system is 500 kVA:

Without using the solar water heating system, the required temperature of the Autoclaves is around 121˚C. To increase the temperature at 121˚C, 144 kW (18 kW × 8 Nos) of Electrical Heaters are used. The capacity of the Electrical Load is 144 kW at 0.98 P.F (say 150 kVA).

The Electrical Distribution system, one of the feeder (250 Amps, TPN MCCB-Power Load) is connected to the domestic water heating load, the total Electrical load of 40 rooms of each 2.5 kW capacity Electrical heaters are connected.

There for the total capacity of the domestic heating Electrical load = 2.5 kW × 40 rooms = 100 kW = 102 kVA (100 kW at 0.98 P.F). The load reduction is 150 kVA + 102 kVA = 252 kVA, the other Distribution loads are 248 kVA.

Based on the above Electrical loads the recommended size of Transformer is 500 kVA and its cost analysis is shown in Table 3.

2.3. Automatic Power Factor Correction (With Thyristor Switched)

Techniques can be applied to the industries, power systems and also households to make them stable and due to that the system becomes stable and efficiency of the system as well as the apparatus increases. The use of microcontroller reduces the costs. Automatic Power factor correction (APFC) device reads the power factor from line voltage and line current, calculating the compensation requirement switch on different banks. Improving the power factor of an installation requires a bank of capacitors which acts as a source of reactive energy. This arrangement is said to provide reactive energy compensation.

An inductive load having a low power factor requires the generators and transmission/distribution systems to pass reactive current with associated power losses and exaggerated voltage drops. If a bank of shunt capacitors is added to the load, its (capacitive) reactive current will take the same path through the power system as that of the load reactive current. Since, as pointed out, this capacitive current Ic is in direct phase opposition to the load

Figure 2. Single line diagram of the electrical distribution system for 500 kVA transformer level.

Table 3. Cost analysis of Electrical Distribution systems at 500 kVA Transformer level.

reactive current (IL). The two components flowing through the same path will cancel each other, such that if the capacitor bank is sufficiently large and Ic = IL, there will be no reactive current flow in the system upstream of the capacitors. This is indicated in Figure 3 which shows the flow of the reactive components of current only.

In Figure 3: R is active-power elements of the load, L is (inductive) reactive-power elements of the load, and C is (capacitive) reactive-power elements of the power-factor correction equipment (i.e. capacitors).

kVAR required for transformer compensation:

Calculation of required capacitor:

Fixed compensation of the 500 kVA Transformer is (500 kVA × 6%) = 30 kVAR.

Suppose actual P.F is 0.8, required P.F is 0.98 and total connected load is 354 KVA.

kW = 354 × 0.8 = 283.20. Required capacitance = 283.20 × Multiplying Factor = 283.20 × 0.547 (from Table 4 to find Value according to P.F 0.8 to P.F of 0.98) = 155.00 kVAR.

Total capacity of the APFC panel = Fixed compensation + Variable compensation i.e., 155 kVAR + 30 kVAR = 185 kVAR (available rating).

The capacity of the APFC panel in Figure 4 shows 155 kVAR capacity rest is fixed compensation. Load Reduction by STWH at 11 kV Electrical Distribution System is represented in Table 5.

2.4. Impact on Solar Thermal Autoclaves on Electrical Distribution Load at 315 kVA

Impact on Solar Thermal Autoclaves on Electrical Distribution Load in Institutional Building @60˚C and its cost analysis at 315 kVA level.

Designed capacity of the electrical distribution system is 315 kVA:

With using the solar water heating system, the hot water output is at 60˚C, but required temperature is around 121˚C. To increase the temperature from 60˚C - 121˚C, 18 kW × 4 Nos of Electrical Heater are used. The capacity of the Electrical Load is 75 kVA (72 kW at P.F 0.95).

(a) (b)(c)

Figure 3. Showing the essential features of power-factor correction. (a) Reactive current components only flow pattern; (b) When IC = IL, all reactive power is supplied from the capacitor bank; (c) With load current added to case (b).

Figure 4. Single line diagram of the electrical distribution system for 315 kVA transformer level.

Table 4. Table for finding the required multiplication factor (P.F from 0.6 to unity) [8] .

The Electrical Distribution system, one of the feeder (250 Amps, TPN MCCB-Power Load feeder) is connected to the domestic water heating load, the total Electrical load of 40 rooms of each 2.5 kW capacity Electrical heaters are connected,

There for the total capacity of the domestic heating Electrical load is 102 kVA (100kW at 0.98 P.F).

The load reduction is 177 kVA (say 180 kVA).

Required size of Transformer after load reduction i.e., 500 kVA - 180 kVA = 320 kVA

Recommended size of Transformer is 315 kVA and its cost analysis is shown in Table 6.

2.5. Calculation of Required Capacitor

Fixed compensation of the 315 kVA Transformer is (315 kVA × 5%) =15.75 kVAR.

Suppose actual P.F is 0.8, required P.F is 0.98 and total load is 282 KVA.

kW = 282 × 0.8 = 225.60, Required capacitance = 123.40 kVAR.

Total capacity of the APFC panel is 139 kVAR (i.e., fixed compensation + variable compensation). The capacity of the APFC panel in Figure 5 shows 139 kVAR capacity rest is fixed compensation.

2.6. Impact on Solar Thermal Autoclaves on Electrical Distribution Load in Institutional Building @60˚C and Its Cost Analysis Shown in Table 7 at 250 kVA Level

Designed capacity of the Electrical Distribution system is 500 kVA. With using the solar water heating system with inserts (twisted inserts with Nano fluids), the hot water output is at 90˚C, but required temperature is around 121˚C.

Table 5. Autoclave and its load reduction by STWH systems.

Table 6. Cost analysis of electrical distribution systems at 315 kVA TFR level.

To increase the temperature from 90˚C - 121˚C, 18 kW × 1 No of Electrical Heater are used. The capacity of the Electrical Load is 19 kVA (18 kW at P.F 0.95).

The load reduction is 126 kW (133 kVA, P.F as 0.95).

The Electrical Distribution system, one of the feeder (250 Amps, TPN MCCB-Power Load feeder) is connected to the domestic water heating load, the total Electrical load of 40 rooms of each 2.5 kW capacity Electrical heaters are connected,

There for the total capacity of the domestic heating Electrical load = 102 kVA (100 kW at 0.98 P.F). Load reduction is 235 kVA.

The required size of Transformer after load reduction i.e., 500 kVA − 235 kVA= 265 kVA. So, recommended size of Transformer is 250 kVA, the cost analysis of the system is represents in Table 8.

Calculation of required capacitor:

Fixed compensation of the 500 kVA Transformer is (250 kVA × 5%) = 12.5 kVAR.

Actual P.F is 0.8, required P.F is 0.98 and total load is 210 KVA.

kW = 210 × 0.8 = 168,

Required capacitor = kW × Multiplying Factor = 168 × Multiplying Factor= 168 × 0.547 (from table to find Value according to P.F 0.8 to P.F of 0.98) = 92 kVAR.

Total capacity of the APFC panel is 105 kVAR (i.e., fixed compensation + variable compensation).

The capacity of the APFC panel in Figure 5 shows 80 kVAR capacity rest is fixed compensation.

2.7. Methodology

In the first stage of the study, the hot water temperature is enhanced to 90˚C by using inserts into the solar flat plate collector fins. The enhanced water is fed to the Autoclaves for generation of the steam at 121˚C. Information such as current (Amps), voltage (Voltage) and power (kW) was collected directly from the nameplate affixed on the Autoclave.

Table 7. Impact of solar thermal systems on electrical distribution system at 90˚C.

Table 8. Cost analysis of electrical distribution systems at 250 kVA TFR level.

Figure 5. Single Line Diagram (SLD) of the electrical distribution system for 250 kVA transformer level.

After measuring the power consumption of the Autoclaves without solar hot water, the capacity of the Transformer was estimated. Then by using the solar hot water at 90˚C was estimated. The cost savings of the system was calculated with Autoclave Electrical Heaters and without Electrical heaters for 60˚C and 90˚C. For the equipment which was tested, the weekly power consumption (kWh/week) can be obtained using the same equation. But instead of using the nameplate power rating, the actual measured power rating was used. According to the calculations, the cost of the Transformer changes from rating to rating. In this context, it is important to note that this rate of cost of higher capacity Transformer and its associated feeders is less than smaller capacities and also considerable Electrical Energy savings are noted with and without Solar Hot water systems.

3. Conclusions

The electrical energy consumption and its cost analysis have been calculated for systems and observed that there is a considerable savings by using the solar hot water at 90˚C. The use of Al2O3 nanoparticles as the dispersed phase in water can significantly enhance the convective heat transfer in the transition flow, and the enhancement increases with increase in particle concentration and further can be increased by using the different types of inserts. The temperature of the outlet get at 90˚C and the same has been connected to the Autoclave.

For laboratory equipment sterilisation, commonly autoclaves are used. These equipments are consumes highest electrical power consumption in terms of kWh. The use of solar energy, the feed water to the autoclave is fed at 90˚C by using different methods to enhance the temperature. Average weekly power consumption, capacities and cost of operation were analysed. By using the enhanced methods, the cost of the electrical distribution network and its capacities are optimised at feeder level.

Cite this paper

Punnaiah Veeraboina,G. Yesuratnam, (2016) Optimisation of Electrical Distribution System by Using Solar Thermal Powered Systems and Its Impact on Electrical Distribution Feeders. Energy and Power Engineering,08,219-229. doi: 10.4236/epe.2016.84020

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