A Comparison of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Power Cycle Configurations with an Emphasis on CSP Applications (Presentation): NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory)

Research output: NRELPresentation

Abstract

Recent research suggests that an emerging power cycle technology using supercritical carbon dioxide (s-CO2) operated in a closed-loop Brayton cycle offers the potential of equivalent or higher cycle efficiency versus supercritical or superheated steam cycles at temperatures relevant for CSP applications. Preliminary design-point modeling suggests that s-CO2 cycle configurations can be devisedthat have similar overall efficiency but different temperature and/or pressure characteristics. This paper employs a more detailed heat exchanger model than previous work to compare the recompression and partial cooling cycles, two cycles with high design-point efficiencies, and illustrates the potential advantages of the latter. Integration of the cycles into CSP systems is studied, with afocus on sensible heat thermal storage and direct s-CO2 receivers. Results show the partial cooling cycle may offer a larger temperature difference across the primary heat exchanger, thereby potentially reducing heat exchanger cost and improving CSP receiver efficiency.
Original languageAmerican English
Number of pages14
StatePublished - 2013

Publication series

NamePresented at the 2013 SolarPACES Conference, 17 - 20 September 2013, Las Vegas, Nevada

NREL Publication Number

  • NREL/PR-5500-60654

Keywords

  • concentrating solar power (CSP)
  • supercritical carbon dioxide

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