Heuristic knowledge-based heliostat field control for the optimization of the temperature distribution in a volumetric receiver

The paper presents the development and implementation of a heuristic knowle dge-based heliostat control strategy optimizing the temperature distributio n within a volumetric receiver at the Platforma Solar de Almeria (PSA) powe r tower plant. The experience in operating the plant has been used in the d evelopment of an automatic control strategy that provides an appropriate fl ux distribution within the volumetric receiver in order to obtain a desired temperature profile, and allows for operation without a continuous interve ntion of the operator, which is one of the main characteristics and drawbac ks in the exploitation of these kinds of plants. Experimental results are i ncluded and discussed in the paper, (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All righ ts reserved.