IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/energy/v314y2025ics0360544224040234.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Maximum thermal efficiencies of supercritical CO2 power cycle at various power capacities

Author

Listed:
  • Wang, Tianze
  • Xu, Jinliang
  • Liu, Guanglin

Abstract

Herein, we investigate the relationships between efficiencies ηth, main vapor parameters (P5 and T5) and power capacities (Wnet) on coal-fired supercritical carbon dioxide cycle (sCO2). We developed a model to couple the cycle and the components. The overlap energy strategy and boiler module design reduce the efficiency penalty. The multi-stages axial turbines and compressors were modeled to explore their performance as Wnet changes. For given Wnet, ηth increases as T5 increases. However, ηth displays parabolic distribution versus P5, due to the tradeoff between the decreased pressure drop of sCO2 boilers and the increased compression power, as P5 raises. Then, for fixed T5 given by the tolerance limit of materials, the monotonous increase of the optimal P5 with increase of Wnet is found, due to the decreased pressure drops of sCO2 boiler as positive effect suppressing the increased compression power as negative effect. Finally, with Wnet in the range of (100–1000) MWe, the system efficiency is found to increase as Wnet increases, matching the scale law regarding efficiencies with respect to system sizes. Our work concludes important roles of boiler pressure drops and compression work on system, providing the guidance to select the “optimal” power capacity that has the “best” system performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Wang, Tianze & Xu, Jinliang & Liu, Guanglin, 2025. "Maximum thermal efficiencies of supercritical CO2 power cycle at various power capacities," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 314(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:314:y:2025:i:c:s0360544224040234
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2024.134245
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360544224040234
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.energy.2024.134245?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Da Lio, Luca & Manente, Giovanni & Lazzaretto, Andrea, 2014. "New efficiency charts for the optimum design of axial flow turbines for organic Rankine cycles," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 447-459.
    2. Linares, José I. & Montes, María J. & Cantizano, Alexis & Sánchez, Consuelo, 2020. "A novel supercritical CO2 recompression Brayton power cycle for power tower concentrating solar plants," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 263(C).
    3. Zhao, Quanbin & Xu, Jiayuan & Hou, Min & Chong, Daotong & Wang, Jinshi & Chen, Weixiong, 2024. "Dynamic characteristic analysis of SCO2 Brayton cycle under different turbine back pressure modes," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 293(C).
    4. Park, Joo Hyun & Park, Hyun Sun & Kwon, Jin Gyu & Kim, Tae Ho & Kim, Moo Hwan, 2018. "Optimization and thermodynamic analysis of supercritical CO2 Brayton recompression cycle for various small modular reactors," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 520-535.
    5. Su, Chi-Wei & Pang, Li-Dong & Qin, Meng & Lobonţ, Oana-Ramona & Umar, Muhammad, 2023. "The spillover effects among fossil fuel, renewables and carbon markets: Evidence under the dual dilemma of climate change and energy crises," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 274(C).
    6. Karthikeyan, B. & Praveen Kumar, G. & Narayanan, Ramadas & R, Saravanan & Coronas, Alberto, 2024. "Thermo-economic optimization of hybrid solar-biomass driven organic rankine cycle integrated heat pump and PEM electrolyser for combined power, heating, and green hydrogen applications," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 299(C).
    7. Xu, Yuan & Yang, Chi-Jen & Xuan, Xiaowei, 2013. "Engineering and optimization approaches to enhance the thermal efficiency of coal electricity generation in China," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 356-363.
    8. Wang, Tianze & Xu, Jinliang & Wang, Zhaofu & Zheng, Haonan & Qi, Jianhui & Liu, Guanglin, 2023. "Irreversible losses, characteristic sizes and efficiencies of sCO2 axial turbines dependent on power capacities," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 275(C).
    9. Lingkai Zhu & Wei Zheng & Wenxing Wang & Ziwei Zhong & Junshan Guo & Jiwei Song, 2024. "Study of Load Adjustment Strategy for Nuclear Power Units Focusing on Rankine Cycle: Flexibility–Environment–Economy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-17, March.
    10. Lam, Pun-Lee & Shiu, Alice, 2001. "A data envelopment analysis of the efficiency of China's thermal power generation," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 10(2), pages 75-83, June.
    11. Da Lio, Luca & Manente, Giovanni & Lazzaretto, Andrea, 2016. "Predicting the optimum design of single stage axial expanders in ORC systems: Is there a single efficiency map for different working fluids?," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 167(C), pages 44-58.
    12. Peng, Ningjian & Wang, Enhua & Wang, Wenli, 2023. "Design and analysis of a 1.5 kW single-stage partial-admission impulse turbine for low-grade energy utilization," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 268(C).
    13. Franco, Alessandro & Diaz, Ana R., 2009. "The future challenges for “clean coal technologies”: Joining efficiency increase and pollutant emission control," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 34(3), pages 348-354.
    14. Xu, Jinliang & Sun, Enhui & Li, Mingjia & Liu, Huan & Zhu, Bingguo, 2018. "Key issues and solution strategies for supercritical carbon dioxide coal fired power plant," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 157(C), pages 227-246.
    15. Luo, Qianqian & Li, Xingchen & Luo, Lei & Du, Wei & Yan, Han, 2024. "Multi-objective performance analysis of different SCO2 Brayton cycles on hypersonic vehicles," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 301(C).
    16. Wang, Jiangfeng & Sun, Zhixin & Dai, Yiping & Ma, Shaolin, 2010. "Parametric optimization design for supercritical CO2 power cycle using genetic algorithm and artificial neural network," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(4), pages 1317-1324, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Enhua Wang & Ningjian Peng, 2023. "A Review on the Preliminary Design of Axial and Radial Turbines for Small-Scale Organic Rankine Cycle," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-20, April.
    2. Wang, Tianze & Xu, Jinliang & Wang, Zhaofu & Zheng, Haonan & Qi, Jianhui & Liu, Guanglin, 2023. "Irreversible losses, characteristic sizes and efficiencies of sCO2 axial turbines dependent on power capacities," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 275(C).
    3. Yu, Meihong & Wang, Chen & Yu, Tang & Ma, Le & Liu, Xiuting & Gong, Houjun & Wang, Lei & Liu, Minyun & Huang, Yanping & Wang, Xinli, 2025. "Multi-stage ejector based low-pressure leaking gas recirculation system for supercritical CO2 Brayton cycle," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 316(C).
    4. Da Lio, Luca & Manente, Giovanni & Lazzaretto, Andrea, 2017. "A mean-line model to predict the design efficiency of radial inflow turbines in organic Rankine cycle (ORC) systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 205(C), pages 187-209.
    5. Fallah, M. & Mohammadi, Z. & Mahmoudi, S.M. Seyed, 2022. "Advanced exergy analysis of the combined S–CO2/ORC system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 241(C).
    6. Du, Xin & Lv, Zhihao & Yu, Xiao & Cao, Maoguo & Zhou, Jianjun & Ren, Yongxiang & Qiu, Qinggang & Zhu, Xiaojing, 2020. "Heat transfer of supercritical CO2 in vertical round tube: A considerate turbulent Prandtl number modification," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 192(C).
    7. Deng, Qinghua & Jiang, Yu & Hu, Zhifeng & Li, Jun & Feng, Zhenping, 2019. "Condensation and expansion characteristics of water steam and carbon dioxide in a Laval nozzle," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 175(C), pages 694-703.
    8. Kunniyoor, Vijayaraj & Singh, Punit & Nadella, Karthik, 2020. "Value of closed-cycle gas turbines with design assessment," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 269(C).
    9. Manente, Giovanni & Lazzaretto, Andrea & Bonamico, Eleonora, 2017. "Design guidelines for the choice between single and dual pressure layouts in organic Rankine cycle (ORC) systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 413-431.
    10. Sun, Hongchuang & Qin, Jiang & Hung, Tzu-Chen & Huang, Hongyan & Yan, Peigang, 2019. "Performance analysis of low speed axial impulse turbine using two type nozzles for small-scale organic Rankine cycle," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 169(C), pages 1139-1152.
    11. Liu, Changxing & Zou, Zhengping & Xu, Pengcheng & Wang, Yifan, 2024. "Development of helium turbine loss model based on knowledge transfer with neural network and its application on aerodynamic design," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 297(C).
    12. He, Wei & Wang, Jihong, 2018. "Optimal selection of air expansion machine in Compressed Air Energy Storage: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 87(C), pages 77-95.
    13. Masi, Massimo & Da Lio, Luca & Lazzaretto, Andrea, 2020. "An insight into the similarity approach to predict the maximum efficiency of organic Rankine cycle turbines," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 198(C).
    14. Liu, Yaqin & Xu, Jinliang & Wang, Tianze, 2025. "Comparative study on supercritical carbon dioxide cycle using air-cooler and water-cooler," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 314(C).
    15. Saravana Kumar Tamilarasan & Jobel Jose & Vignesh Boopalan & Fei Chen & Senthil Kumar Arumugam & Jishnu Chandran Ramachandran & Rajesh Kanna Parthasarathy & Dawid Taler & Tomasz Sobota & Jan Taler, 2024. "Recent Developments in Supercritical CO 2 -Based Sustainable Power Generation Technologies," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-29, August.
    16. Zhang, Yifan & Li, Hongzhi & Li, Kailun & Yang, Yu & Zhou, Yujia & Zhang, Xuwei & Xu, Ruina & Zhuge, Weilin & Lei, Xianliang & Dan, Guangju, 2022. "Dynamic characteristics and control strategies of the supercritical CO2 Brayton cycle tailored for the new generation concentrating solar power," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 328(C).
    17. Al Jubori, Ayad M. & Al-Dadah, Raya K. & Mahmoud, Saad & Daabo, Ahmed, 2017. "Modelling and parametric analysis of small-scale axial and radial-outflow turbines for Organic Rankine Cycle applications," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 190(C), pages 981-996.
    18. Mounier, Violette & Olmedo, Luis Eric & Schiffmann, Jürg, 2018. "Small scale radial inflow turbine performance and pre-design maps for Organic Rankine Cycles," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 1072-1084.
    19. Li, Yuzhe & Feng, Jiaqi & Zhang, Xu & Bai, Bofeng, 2023. "Technical benefits of the subcritical inlet condition for high-speed CO2 centrifugal compressor in the advanced power-generation cycle," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 284(C).
    20. Jobel Jose & Rajesh Kanna Parthasarathy & Senthil Kumar Arumugam, 2023. "Energy and Exergy Analysis of a Combined Cooling Heating and Power System with Regeneration," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-17, September.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:314:y:2025:i:c:s0360544224040234. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/energy .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.