Supercritical CO2 Cycle for Fast Gas-Cooled Reactors

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vaclav Dostal ◽  
Michael J. Driscoll ◽  
Pavel Hejzlar ◽  
Yong Wang
Keyword(s):  
Specific Volume ◽  
Supercritical Co2 ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Nuclear Reactor ◽  
Attractive Alternative ◽  
Inlet Temperature ◽  
Outlet Temperature ◽  
Brayton Cycle ◽  
Property Changes ◽  
Recompression Cycle

Brayton cycles are currently being extensively investigated for possible use with nuclear reactors in order to reduce capital cost, shorten construction period and increase nuclear power plant efficiency. The main candidates are the well-known helium Brayton cycle and the less familiar supercritical CO2 cycle, which has been given increased attention in the past several years. The main advantage of the supercritical CO2 cycle is comparable efficiency with the helium Brayton cycle at significantly lower temperature (550°C/823K), but higher pressure (20MPa/200 normal atmospheres). By taking advantage of the abrupt property changes near the critical point of CO2 the compression work can be reduced, which results in a significant efficiency improvement. Among the surveyed compound cycles the recompression cycle offers the highest efficiency, while still retaining simplicity. The turbomachinery is highly compact and achieves efficiencies of more than 90%. Preliminary assessment of the control scheme has been performed as well. It was found that conventional inventory control could not be applied to the supercritical CO2 recompression cycle. The conventional bypass control is applicable. The reference cycle achieves 46% thermal efficiency at the compressor outlet pressure of 20MPa and turbine inlet temperature of 550°C. The sizing of the heat exchangers and turbomachinery has been performed. The recuperator specific volume is 0.39m3/MWe and pre-cooler specific volume 0.08m3/MWe. For the reference 600MWth reactor this translates to ∼ 99m3 heat exchanger core for the recuperator and ∼ 21m3 for the pre-cooler. Overall the cycle offers an attractive alternative to the steam cycle. The supercritical CO2 cycle is well suited to any type of nuclear reactor with core outlet temperature above ∼ 500°C.

Development of a Ceramic Pressurized Volumetric Solar Receiver for Supercritical CO2 Brayton Cycle

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. D. Khivsara ◽  
Rathindra Nath Das ◽  
T. L. Thyagaraj ◽  
Shriya Dhar ◽  
V. Srinivasan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Efficiency ◽  
Supercritical Co2 ◽  
Material Selection ◽  
Radiation Heat Transfer ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Attractive Alternative ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
Outlet Temperature ◽  
Brayton Cycle ◽  
Solar Thermal Energy

Recently, the supercritical CO2 (s-CO2) Brayton cycle has been identified as a promising candidate for solar-thermal energy conversion due to its potentially high thermal efficiency (50%, for turbine inlet temperatures of ∼ 1000K). Realization of such a system requires development of solar receivers which can raise the temperature of s-CO2 by over 200K, to a receiver outlet temperature of 1000K. Volumetric receivers are an attractive alternative to tubular receivers due to their geometry, functionality and reduced thermal losses. A concept of a ceramic pressurized volumetric receiver for s-CO2 has been developed in this work. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis along with a Discrete Ordinate Method (DOM) radiation heat transfer model has been carried out, and the results for temperature distribution in the receiver and the resulting thermal efficiency are presented. We address issues regarding material selection for the absorber structure, window, coating, receiver body and insulation. A modular small scale prototype with 0.5 kWth solar heat input has been designed. The design of a s-CO2 loop for testing this receiver module is also presented in this work.

A High Effective Parallel Method for the Coupling Between Neutronics and Thermal-Hydraulic

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaomeng Dong ◽  
Zhijian Zhang ◽  
Zhaofei Tian ◽  
Lei Li ◽  
Guangliang Chen
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Nuclear Reactor ◽  
Reactor Core ◽  
Decisive Role ◽  
Reactor Power ◽  
Coupling Method ◽  
Outlet Temperature

Multi-physics coupling analysis is one of the most important fields among the analysis of nuclear power plant. The basis of multi-physics coupling is the coupling between neutronics and thermal-hydraulic because it plays a decisive role in the computation of reactor power, outlet temperature of the reactor core and pressure of vessel, which determines the economy and security of the nuclear power plant. This paper develops a coupling method which uses OPENFOAM and the REMARK code. OPENFOAM is a 3-dimension CFD open-source code for thermal-hydraulic, and the REMARK code (produced by GSE Systems) is a real-time simulation multi-group core model for neutronics while it solves diffusion equations. Additionally, a coupled computation using these two codes is new and has not been done. The method is tested and verified using data of the QINSHAN Phase II typical nuclear reactor which will have 16 × 121 elements. The coupled code has been modified to adapt unlimited CPUs after parallelization. With the further development and additional testing, this coupling method has the potential to extend to a more large-scale and accurate computation.

Control of a Supercritical CO2 Recompression Brayton Cycle Demonstration Loop

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Conboy ◽  
J. Pasch ◽  
D. Fleming
Keyword(s):  
Supercritical Co2 ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Power Conversion ◽  
Department Of Energy ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
Attractive Alternative ◽  
Commercial Development ◽  
Power Cycle ◽  
Test Loop ◽  
Recompression Cycle

The US Department of Energy is currently focused on the development of next-generation nuclear power reactors, with an eye towards improved efficiency and reduced capital cost. To this end, reactors using a closed-Brayton power conversion cycle have been proposed as an attractive alternative to steam turbines. The supercritical-CO2 recompression cycle has been identified as a leading candidate for this application as it can achieve high efficiency at relatively low operating temperatures with extremely compact turbomachinery. Sandia National Laboratories has been a leader in hardware and component development for the supercritical-CO2 cycle. With contractor Barber-Nichols Inc, Sandia has constructed a megawatt-class S-CO2 cycle test-loop to investigate the key areas of technological uncertainty for this power cycle, and to confirm model estimates of advantageous thermodynamic performance. Until recently, much of the work has centered on the simple S-CO2 cycle — a recuperated Brayton loop with a single turbine and compressor. However work has recently progressed to a recompression cycle with split-shaft turbo-alternator-compressors, unlocking the potential for much greater efficiency power conversion, but introducing greater complexity in control operations. The following sections use testing experience to frame control actions made by test loop operators in bringing the recompression cycle from cold startup conditions through transition to power generation on both turbines, to the desired test conditions, and finally to a safe shutdown. During this process, considerations regarding turbocompressor thrust state, CO2 thermodynamic state at the compressor inlet, compressor surge and stall, turbine u/c ratio, and numerous other factors must be taken into account. The development of these procedures on the Sandia test facility has greatly reduced the risk to industry in commercial development of the S-CO2 power cycle.

Thermoeconomic Analysis of a Combined Natural Gas Cogeneration System With a Supercritical CO2 Brayton Cycle and an Organic Rankine Cycle

2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhen Pan ◽  
Mingyue Yan ◽  
Liyan Shang ◽  
Ping Li ◽  
Li Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Supercritical Co2 ◽  
Organic Rankine Cycle ◽  
Rankine Cycle ◽  
Inlet Temperature ◽  
Total System ◽  
Brayton Cycle ◽  
Exhaust Gas ◽  
Total Cost ◽  
Cogeneration System ◽  
Isentropic Efficiency

Abstract This paper proposes a new type of Gas Turbine Cycle-supercritical CO2 Brayton/organic Rankine cycle (GT-SCO2/ORC) cogeneration system, in which the exhaust gas from gas-fired plants generates electricity through GT and then the remaining heat is absorbed by the supercritical CO2 (SCO2) Brayton cycle and ORC. CO2 contained in the exhaust gas is absorbed by monoethanolamine (MEA) and liquefied via liquified natural gas (LNG). Introducing thermodynamic efficiencies, thermoeconomic analysis to evaluate the system performance and total system cost is used as the evaluation parameter. The results show that the energy efficiency and exergy efficiency of the system are 56.47% and 45.46%, respectively, and the total cost of the product is 2798.38 $/h. Moreover, with the increase in air compressor (AC) or gas turbine isentropic efficiency, GT inlet temperature, and air preheater (AP) outlet temperature, the thermodynamic efficiencies have upward trends, which proves these four parameters optimize the thermodynamic performance. The total system cost can reach a minimum value with the increase in AC pressure ratio, GT isentropic efficiency, and AC isentropic efficiency, indicating that these three parameters can optimize the economic performance of the cycle. The hot water income increases significantly with the increase in the GT inlet temperature, but it is not cost-effective in terms of the total cost.

Thermodynamic and Economic Analysis and Multi-Objective Optimization of Supercritical CO2 Brayton Cycles

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hang Zhao ◽  
Qinghua Deng ◽  
Wenting Huang ◽  
Zhenping Feng
Keyword(s):  
Supercritical Co2 ◽  
Exergy Efficiency ◽  
Temperature Cycle ◽  
Inlet Temperature ◽  
Brayton Cycle ◽  
Multi Objective Optimization ◽  
Turbine Inlet Temperature ◽  
Multi Objective ◽  
Turbine Inlet ◽  
Thermodynamic Performance

Supercritical CO2 Brayton cycles (SCO2BC) offer the potential of better economy and higher practicability due to their high power conversion efficiency, moderate turbine inlet temperature, compact size as compared with some traditional working fluids cycles. In this paper, the SCO2BC including the SCO2 single-recuperated Brayton cycle (RBC) and recompression recuperated Brayton cycle (RRBC) are considered, and flexible thermodynamic and economic modeling methodologies are presented. The influences of the key cycle parameters on thermodynamic performance of SCO2BC are studied, and the comparative analyses on RBC and RRBC are conducted. Based on the thermodynamic and economic models and the given conditions, the Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA-II) is used for the Pareto-based multi-objective optimization of the RRBC, with the maximum exergy efficiency and the lowest cost per power ($/kW) as its objectives. In addition, the Artificial Neural Network (ANN) is chosen to establish the relationship between the input, output, and the key cycle parameters, which could accelerate the parameters query process. It is observed in the thermodynamic analysis process that the cycle parameters such as heat source temperature, turbine inlet temperature, cycle pressure ratio, and pinch temperature difference of heat exchangers have significant effects on the cycle exergy efficiency. And the exergy destruction of heat exchanger is the main reason why the exergy efficiency of RRBC is higher than that of RBC under the same cycle conditions. Compared with the two kinds of SCO2BC, RBC has a cost advantage from economic perspective, while RRBC has a much better thermodynamic performance, and could rectify the temperature pinching problem that exists in RBC. Therefore, RRBC is recommended in this paper. Furthermore, the Pareto front curve between the cycle cost/ cycle power (CWR) and the cycle exergy efficiency is obtained by multi-objective optimization, which indicates that there is a conflicting relation between them. The optimization results could provide an optimum trade-off curve enabling cycle designers to choose their desired combination between the efficiency and cost. Moreover, the optimum thermodynamic parameters of RRBC can be predicted with good accuracy using ANN, which could help the users to find the SCO2BC parameters fast and accurately.

scholarly journals The Impeller Exit Flow Coefficient As a Performance Map Variable for Predicting Centrifugal Compressor Off-Design Operation Applied to a Supercritical CO2 Working Fluid

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Liese ◽  
Stephen E. Zitney
Keyword(s):  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
Process Simulation ◽  
Supercritical Co2 ◽  
Flow Coefficient ◽  
Working Fluid ◽  
Inlet Temperature ◽  
Brayton Cycle ◽  
Inlet Flow ◽  
Cycle Simulation ◽  
Main Compressor

A multi-stage centrifugal compressor model is presented with emphasis on analyzing use of an exit flow coefficient vs. an inlet flow coefficient performance parameter to predict off-design conditions in the critical region of a supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) power cycle. A description of the performance parameters is given along with their implementation in a design model (number of stages, basic sizing, etc.) and a dynamic model (for use in transient studies). A design case is shown for two compressors, a bypass compressor and a main compressor, as defined in a process simulation of a 10 megawatt (MW) supercritical CO2 recompression Brayton cycle. Simulation results are presented for a simple open cycle and closed cycle process with changes to the inlet temperature of the main compressor which operates near the CO2 critical point. Results showed some difference in results using the exit vs. inlet flow coefficient correction, however, it was not significant for the range of conditions examined. This paper also serves as a reference for future works, including a full process simulation of the 10 MW recompression Brayton cycle.

Thermodynamic and Economic Analysis and Multi-objective Optimization of Supercritical CO2 Brayton Cycles

2016 ◽  
Vol 138 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hang Zhao ◽  
Qinghua Deng ◽  
Wenting Huang ◽  
Dian Wang ◽  
Zhenping Feng
Keyword(s):  
Supercritical Co2 ◽  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Economic Modeling ◽  
Exergy Efficiency ◽  
Temperature Cycle ◽  
Inlet Temperature ◽  
Brayton Cycle ◽  
Multi Objective Optimization ◽  
Multi Objective ◽  
Thermodynamic Performance

Supercritical CO2 Brayton cycles (SCO2BC) including the SCO2 single-recuperated Brayton cycle (RBC) and recompression recuperated Brayton cycle (RRBC) are considered, and flexible thermodynamic and economic modeling methodologies are presented. The influences of the key cycle parameters on thermodynamic performance of SCO2BC are studied, and the comparative analyses on RBC and RRBC are conducted. Nondominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA-II) is selected for the Pareto-based multi-objective optimization of the RRBC, with the maximum exergy efficiency and the lowest cost per power (k$/kW) as its objectives. Artificial neural network (ANN) is chosen to accelerate the parameters query process. It is shown that the cycle parameters such as heat source temperature, turbine inlet temperature, cycle pressure ratio, and pinch temperature difference of heat exchangers have significant effects on the cycle exergy efficiency. The exergy destruction of heat exchanger is the main reason why the exergy efficiency of RRBC is higher than that of the RBC under the same cycle conditions. RBC has a cost advantage from economic perspective, while RRBC has a much better thermodynamic performance, and could rectify the temperature pinching problem that exists in RBC. It is also shown that there is a conflicting relationship between the cycle cost/cycle power (CWR) and the cycle exergy efficiency. The optimization results could provide an optimum tradeoff curve enabling cycle designers to choose their desired combination between the efficiency and cost. ANN could help the users to find the SCO2BC parameters fast and accurately.

Performance Characteristics of an Operating Supercritical CO2 Brayton Cycle

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Conboy ◽  
Steven Wright ◽  
James Pasch ◽  
Darryn Fleming ◽  
Gary Rochau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Supercritical Co2 ◽  
Waste Heat ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Heat Removal ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
Working Fluid ◽  
Inlet Temperature ◽  
Brayton Cycle ◽  
Compact Size ◽  
Test Loop

Supercritical CO2 (S-CO2) power cycles offer the potential for better overall plant economics due to their high power conversion efficiency over a moderate range of heat source temperatures, compact size, and potential use of standard materials in construction [1,2,3,4]. Sandia National Labs (Albuquerque, NM, US) and the US Department of Energy (DOE-NE) are in the process of constructing and operating a megawatt-scale supercritical CO2 split-flow recompression Brayton cycle with contractor Barber-Nichols Inc. [5] (Arvada, CO, US). This facility can be counted among the first and only S-CO2 power producing Brayton cycles anywhere in the world. The Sandia-DOE test-loop has recently concluded a phase of construction that has substantially upgraded the facility by installing additional heaters, a second recuperating printed circuit heat exchanger (PCHE), more waste heat removal capability, higher capacity load banks, higher temperature piping, and more capable scavenging pumps to reduce windage within the turbomachinery. With these additions, the loop has greatly increased its potential for electrical power generation — according to models, as much as 80 kWe per generator depending on loop configuration — and its ability to reach higher temperatures. To date, the loop has been primarily operated as a simple recuperated Brayton cycle, meaning a single turbine, single compressor, and undivided flow paths. In this configuration, the test facility has begun to realize its upgraded capacity by achieving new records in turbine inlet temperature (650°F/615K), shaft speed (52,000 rpm), pressure ratio (1.65), flow rate (2.7 kg/s), and electrical power generated (20kWe). Operation at higher speeds, flow rates, pressures and temperatures has allowed a more revealing look at the performance of essential power cycle components in a supercritical CO2 working fluid, including recuperation and waste heat rejection heat exchangers (PCHEs), turbines and compressors, bearings and seals, as well as auxiliary equipment. In this report, performance of these components to date will be detailed, including a discussion of expected operational limits as higher speeds and temperatures are approached.

scholarly journals Multi-objective optimization on supercritical CO2 recompression brayton cycle using Kriging surrogate model

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (suppl. 1) ◽  
pp. 309-316
Author(s):  
Lei Sun ◽  
Chongyu Wang ◽  
Di Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Supercritical Co2 ◽  
Thermodynamic Cycle ◽  
Brayton Cycle ◽  
Time Cost ◽  
Multi Objective Optimization ◽  
Multi Objective ◽  
Research Fields ◽  
Cycle Efficiency ◽  
Recompression Cycle ◽  
Selection Of

Supercritical CO2 cycle has become one of the most popular research fields of thermal science. The selection of operation parameters on thermodynamic cycle process is an important task. The computational model of supercritical CO2 recompression cycle is built to solve the multi-objective problem in this paper. Then, the optimization of parameters is performed based on genetic algorithm. Several Kriging models are also used to reduce the quantity of samples. According to the calculation, the influence of sample quantity on the result and the time cost is obtained. The results show that it is required to improve the heat transfer when improvement of the cycle efficiency is desired.

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