Preliminary design of S-CO2 turbomachinery and its influence on the performance of an integrated solar combined cycle

Abstract

Supercritical CO2 power cycles emerge as the next-generation standard for Concentrated Solar Power technology mainly due to their high efficiency and reduced footprint. This study investigates the role of the S-CO2 turbomachinery in an Integrated Solar Combined Cycle, and performs the design and optimization of the geometries to maximize their efficiency using mean-line models. Centrifugal compressors, axial-flow and radial-inflow turbines have been considered. Various geometries are identified to achieve similar high efficiencies, highlighting the need for additional criteria in selecting the optimal design. For this particular combined cycle, the results also reveal that variations in turbomachinery efficiency have a relatively minor impact on overall cycle efficiency, with turbine efficiency exerting a more decisive influence than compressor efficiency.