Liquid CO2 Formation, Impact, and Mitigation at the Inlet to a Supercritical CO2 Compressor

Abstract

Cycle efficiency is one of the critical parameters linked to the success of implementing a Supercritical Carbon Dioxide (sCO2) power cycle in a Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) plant application. Ambient conditions often change rapidly during operation, making it imperative that the efficiency of the plant cycle be optimized to obtain the maximum power production when sunlight is available. Past analyses have shown that operating the cycle at the critical point provides the optimum efficiency for dry operation. However, operation at this point is challenging due to the dramatic changes in thermophysical properties of CO2 near the critical point and the risk of the fluid having a two-phase, gas-liquid state. As a result, there is a high likelihood that liquid can form upstream of the primary compressor in the sCO2 power cycle. This paper explores the potential for liquid formation when operating near the critical point and looks at the influence of liquid on the compressor performance. The performance impact is based on industry experience with wet gas compression in power generation and oil and gas applications. Options for mitigating liquid effects are also investigated, such as upstream heating, separation, or compressor internal controls (blade surface gas ejection). The conclusions of the paper focus on the risk, estimated impact on performance, and summary of mitigation techniques for liquid CO2 entering a sCO2 compressor.