Supercritical CO2 Cycle Recuperator Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing supercritical CO2 generation systems face limitations in increasing heat exchange efficiency and turbine inlet temperature, which restricts the output of the cycle due to heat transfer limitations in high-temperature conditions and pressure drops in the recuperator.
Innovation Solution
A complex supercritical CO2 generation system is introduced, featuring a bottoming cycle with multiple heat exchangers and recuperators in parallel, and a topping cycle with recuperators in series, allowing for improved heat exchange efficiency by branching and mixing working fluids across different temperature stages, thereby increasing the hot side turbine inlet temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the outlet temperature of the compressor is increased to improve system output, then the heat exchange efficiency improves, but the pressure drop in the recuperator increases and the compressor efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the single compressor outlet into multiple parallel paths: one path goes through the recuperator while another bypasses it. This segmentation allows the compressor outlet temperature to be optimized for efficiency while still achieving high heat exchange efficiency through the parallel recuperator path, resolving the contradiction between system output and compressor efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
A bypass line acts as an intermediary element that allows working fluid to circumvent the recuperator when needed. This intermediary path enables independent optimization of compressor outlet temperature from recuperator inlet temperature, allowing the system to maintain high compressor efficiency while achieving high overall heat exchange efficiency through the parallel path.
2Productivity
If the inlet temperature of the second turbine is increased to improve system output, then the heat exchange efficiency improves, but the heat transfer limit in the low temperature heater is reached
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the turbine inlet heating process into multiple independent heat exchangers (high temperature heater and low temperature heater) that can be optimized separately. The parallel recuperator configuration also segments the heat recovery paths, allowing the low temperature heater to operate within its heat transfer limits while still achieving high overall turbine inlet temperature through combined heating paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a parallel dimension to the heat exchange process by introducing parallel recuperator paths. This allows heat transfer to occur simultaneously through multiple temperature stages and paths, enabling the low temperature heater to operate within its heat transfer limits while the overall system achieves higher turbine inlet temperatures through the combined effect of multiple heating paths.
3Device complexity
If a single recuperator is used to simplify the system, then the device complexity decreases, but the heat exchange efficiency and system output are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the single recuperator into multiple parallel recuperator paths with different temperature characteristics. This segmentation increases the total heat exchange capacity and allows simultaneous heat recovery at multiple temperature levels, significantly improving system output while maintaining manageable complexity through modular parallel architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The parallel recuperator configuration provides multi-functionality: one path optimizes for high temperature heat recovery while another optimizes for low temperature heat recovery. This universal design allows the system to perform multiple heat exchange functions simultaneously, increasing overall heat exchange efficiency and system output without proportionally increasing complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enhances the overall generation efficiency by approximately 0.75% and allows for a higher system output under the same heat source conditions, with increased heat exchange efficiency in the topping cycle and improved temperature management across the system.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor (100) that compresses a working fluid
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of heat exchangers (310, 330, 350) that are supplied with heat from an external heat source to heat the working fluid
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of turbines (410, 430) that are driven by the working fluid
Implementation Method 4
a plurality of recuperators (210, 230) that exchange heat between the working fluid passing through the turbine and the working fluid passing through the compressor to cool the working fluid passing through the turbine
Implementation Method 5
a pre-cooler (500) that cools the working fluid primarily cooled by the recuperators and supplies the cooled working fluid to the compressor
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a complex supercritical CO2 generation system capable of increasing the heat exchange efficiency to improve a system output. According to the present invention, a complex generation system of a bottoming cycle and a topping cycle is configured, a flow rate of a cold side outlet of a bottoming cycle recuperators provided in parallel is branched to be supplied to a recuperator of a topping cycle provided in series, thereby increasing heat exchange efficiency of the topping cycle.