SUMMARY

This research will investigate improved methods and tools for the design and optimization of energy intensive mechanical systems with specific application to high temperature particle transport for use in a particle heating receiver based concentrated solar power system. This form of concentrated solar power uses solid particles to capture the solar energy and then use it for power generation or store it as thermal energy for later use. This particle lift system is a critical component which must transport the particles from the lower temperature storage bin back to the particle heating receiver. The proposed research is the integration and development of design and analysis tools for such energy-intensive mechanical systems and their demonstration in the conceptual design followed by the design development and optimization. The conceptual design employs an innovative multi-stage structured design process. For optimization, a unique performance and cost model based on first principles and standard cost engineering is used to generate efficiency and cost estimates. The design development, modeling, and optimization methods developed herein, while demonstrated for a particular system, are generally applicable to any energy intensive materials handling system. This research will further the design tools and methods available for research in developing energy intensive systems and in the research of design where methodology types, process order and the use of the minimum amount of resources with the return of the greatest feasible results.