Thermodynamic analysis of supercritical Brayton cycles using CO2-based binary mixtures for solar power tower system application

Supercritical CO2 Brayton cycle has the advantages of high thermoelectric conversion efficiency and compact structure. However, the high ambient temperature in the desert environment would reduce the cycle thermal efficiency. In this paper, three additive gases were mixed with CO2 to reduce the effect of ambient temperature on cycle efficiency. The thermodynamic analysis method based on the optimal split ratio was applied to evaluate the potential of CO2-based binary mixtures in the SPT systems application for the first time. Meanwhile, the impact of critical cycle parameters on system performance was analyzed and the internal connection of the phenomenon was investigated by discussing the exergy loss of each component under typical operating conditions. The results show that the optimal split ratio decreases with the increase of main compressor inlet temperature and turbine inlet pressure. The change of turbine inlet temperature has little effect on the optimal split ratio. CO2-propane has the potential for practical application because the pressure ratio has little effect on the optimal split ratio. Moreover, it is found that the thermal and exergy efficiencies of CO2-propane are increased by 2.34% and 1.51% compared with CO2 under typical operating conditions based on genetic algorithm optimization. (c) 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This paper investigates the potential of CO2-based binary mixtures in SPT systems by adding three additive gases to reduce the impact of high ambient temperature on the efficiency of supercritical CO2 Brayton cycle. The optimal split ratio is found to decrease with increasing main compressor inlet temperature and turbine inlet pressure. Additionally, CO2-propane shows potential for practical application as the pressure ratio has little effect on the optimal split ratio.