Loop Transient Performance With a Closed Loop sCO2 Brayton Cycle

Abstract Recent testing has been completed on a 1 MWe supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) closed loop recuperated cycle under funding from the US Department of Energy (DOE) Sunshot initiative and industry partners. Some of the goals of this funding included the development of a 1 MWe loop, a 10 MWe turbine, and performance and mechanical testing. One of the key challenges that presented itself was the filling, start-up, and shut down of the entire system. Understanding the loop transient performance is important when having to bring a turbine online, transitioning from peak to partial loading, and also managing routine and emergency shut downs. Due to large changes in density near the critical point for CO2 and its tendency to form dry ice when expanded to atmospheric pressure, managing loop filling and venting is critical in ensuring that components are not damaged. With successful testing up to 715°C and 234 bar, this paper will provide updated data to, “Loop Filling and Start Up with a Closed Loop sCO2 Brayton Cycle [1].” While the previous paper focused on early trips and start up challenges, this paper will focus on the specific challenges at maximum operating conditions, and how the loop was managed when getting up to these high temperatures and pressures and how the loop behaved during a high temperature trip when compared to a controlled shut down from maximum operating conditions.