GlassPoint solar thermal
systems can be used in any industrial process that requires large
amounts of high temperature heat.
GlassPoint was originally designed to produce heat for gypsum wallboard manufacturing. The thermal oil from the GlassPoint solar field is passed through oil to air heat exchangers to produce hot air for the board driers or to preheat air for use in flash calciners. When used in this configuration, natural gas usage can be reduced by 20 to 30%.
A second configuration passes the thermal oil from the GlassPoint solar field through an oil to molten salt heat exchanger. The molten salt is then stored in tanks and can be used to provide process heat during night time hours. When used in this configuration, natural gas usage can be reduced by up to 85%.
In addition to the economic benefits of reduced natural gas usage GlassPoint heat is produced without emitting any greenhouse gases (CO2 or NOx).
Enhanced Oil Recovery
GlassPoint solar arrays can be used to pre-heat feed water for steam generators. Each acre of GlassPoint solar field located in southern California can produce approximately 60 barrels of steam per day. By preheating feed water the existing natural gas fired boilers can be used. Without thermal storage natural gas usage can be reduced by up to 30%. Combining a GlassPoint solar array with thermal storage can reduce natural gas usage by up to 85%.
In addition to the economic benefits of reduced natural gas usage GlassPoint heat is produced without emitting any greenhouse gases (CO2 or NOx).
Municipal Waste Water Treatment
The thermal oil from a GlassPoint solar array can be used to directly heat a holo-flite sludge drier in order to produce a Grade A biosolid. Wet sludge is stored in holding tanks during night time hours and on cloudy days. When sufficient solar resource is available the sludge is dried. In this way natural gas usage can be eliminated entirely, with the gas burner serving solely as a backup source of heat.
