Real Gas Effects in Carbon Dioxide Cycles

Abstract

The potential performance of carbon dioxide as working fluid is recognized to be similar to that of steam, which justifies thorough thermodynamic analysis of possible cycles. The substantially better results achievable with CO2 with respect to other gases are due to the real gas behaviour in the vicinity of the Andrews curve. Simple cycles benefit from the reduced compression work, but their efficiency is compromised by significant losses caused by irreversible heat transfer. Their economy, however, is appreciably better than that of perfect gas cycles. More complex cycle arrangements, six of which are proposed and analyzed in detail, reduce heat transfer losses while maintaining the advantage of low compression work and raise cycle efficiency to values attained only by the best steam practice. Some of the cycles presented were conceived to give a good efficiency at moderate pressure which is of particular value in direct-cycle nuclear applications. The favourable influence on heat transfer coefficients of the combined variation with pressure of mechanical, thermal and transport properties, due to real gas effects, is illustrated. Technical aspects as turbo-machines dimensions and heat transfer surfaces needed for regeneration are also considered. Cooling water requirements are found to be not much more stringent than in steam stations.