Performance Investigation of Solar Operated Energy Efficient Copper Mining Processes

Energy is used extensively during the extraction of copper, which necessitates extensive excavation, transportation and processing of copper ores. It has been suggested that a supercritical Rankine cycle combined with parabolic trough collectors (PTCs) is an energy-efficient way to lessen the energy requirements and environmental effects of copper mining operations. PTCs focus sunlight with the use of parabolic mirrors onto a receiver tube, which is filled with a heat transfer fluid that absorbs the solar energy and transfers it to a heat exchanger. Steam produced by the heat exchanger powers a turbine to provide electricity. Compared to conventional steam cycles, the supercritical Rankine cycle produces energy more efficiently by using supercritical water as the working fluid. For copper mining operations, the combination of PTCs and a supercritical Rankine cycle can result in considerable energy savings. The heat produced by the PTCs during the day can be used to complement the heat produced by conventional boilers, thereby lowering the amount of heat needed to produce steam. After that, the supercritical Rankine cycle more effectively turns the heat into electricity, requiring less fuel to produce the same amount of energy. The technology is well- established, and PTCs have found success in a number of mining-related applications. The cost of implementing this technology will be high, and each mining operation’s particular conditions and needs will determine whether it is economically feasible. Overall, the energy use and environmental effect of copper mining activities might be greatly reduced with the integration of PTCs with a supercritical Rankine cycle.