CO2 power cycle chemistry in the CV Řež experimental loop

Abstract

Power cycles using carbon dioxide in a supercritical state (sc-CO2) can be used in both the nuclear and non-nuclear power industry. These systems are characterized by their advantages over steam power cycles, e. g., the sc-CO2 turbine is more compact than the steam turbine with a similar performance. The parameters and lifespan of the system are influenced by the purity of the CO2 in the circuit, especially the admixtures, such as O2, H2O, etc., cause the enhanced structural materials to degrade. Therefore, gas purification and purity control systems for the sc-CO2 power cycles should be proposed and developed. The inspiration for the proposal of these systems could stem from the gas, especially the CO2-cooled nuclear reactors operation. The first information concerning the CO2 and sc-CO2 power cycle chemistry was gathered in the first period of the project and it is summarized in the paper.