Carbon dioxide based power generation in renewable energy systems

Abstract

After a substantial impact on refrigeration, carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) is gaining considerable attention as a working fluid for thermal power generation. This can be attributed mainly to its excellent heat transfer properties and compactness of components arising from its high density. It has the merit of being amenable to operation in sub-, trans-or super-critical Brayton cycle modes. However, inhibiting factors are high pressures needed when operated in trans-or supercritical cycles and the work of compression eroding most of the work of expansion in subcritical cycle operation. Some of the lacunae of CO 2 such as high work of compression can be alleviated by using non-mechanical means such as thermal compression using the adsorption technique either for partial compression in high pressure Brayton cycles or for total compression in low pressure cycles. CO 2 has also been proposed as an additive to flammable hydrocarbons such that their flammability can be suppressed and yet retaining their other desirable thermodynamic qualities. This review explores the potential and limitations of thermodynamic © 2016. This manuscript version is made available under the Elsevier user license http://www.elsevier.com/open-access/userlicense/1.0/ cycles where either CO 2 is used alone or as a component in mixture of working fluids. Inter alia,it also highlights the issues of regulation of load management using the efficiency-specific power output plane. When used as a blending component, pinch point in the regenerators affects the cycle performance. The objective is to identify research and developmental challenges involving CO 2 as a working fluid specifically for solar power generation.

A Calculation Method to Estimate the Thermodynamic Performance of Solar Tower Power Plants with an Open Air Brayton Cycle and a Combined Cycle

“…Owing to its excellent properties as heat transfer medium and because of its high density at high pressures, which reduces the pumping power, carbon dioxide under supercritical conditions (pressure greater than 73.86 bar) has proved to be the best gas to use in solar systems. In references [12][13][14][15][16] various studies are reported concerning the performance of solar systems, both with parabolic collectors as well as with solar towers, employing carbon dioxide under supercritical conditions, confirming the advantages offered by this fluid. However, using carbon dioxide, there is the possibility of formation of carbonic acid, which is corrosive for carbon steel pipes.…”

Geothermal reservoir heat transfer, temperature modelling and electrical power potential estimation: Gisenyi hot spring

“…Among the existing working fluid, carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) attracted many researchers as a working fluid for thermal power generation. This is due to its excellent heat transfer properties and compactness of components comes from its high density [35]. On the other hand, supercritical working fluids are attracting many researchers in different industrial applications.…”

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