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

E.M. Arenas, M. Muñoz, A. Cantizano, J.I. Linares, M.J. Montes, A.J. Rovira

30th International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems - SolarPACES 2024, Rome (Italy). 08-11 October 2024

Summary:

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.

Spanish layman's summary:

La Energía Solar de Concentración es prometedora por ser gestionable y dar estabilidad en la red, pero su alto costo limita su adopción, lo que puede solucionarse con la hibridación con turbinas de gas y ciclos Brayton de CO2 supercrítico, para el que se analiza un diseño de turbomáquinas..

English layman's summary:

Concentrated Solar Power technology is promising for its dispatchable renewable energy and grid stability, but high costs limit adoption, what can be solved by hybridization with gas turbines and supercritical CO2 Brayton cycles, for which a turbomachinery design is analyzed.

Keywords: S-CO2 Power Cycles, Concentrated Solar Plants, S-CO2 Compressors, S-CO2 Turbines, Decarbonization, Integrated Combined Power Cycles

DOI: https://doi.org/10.52825/solarpaces.v3i

Published in: SolarPACES Conference Proceedings, vol. 3, pp: 1-7

Publication date: 27-Aug-2025.

Citation:
E.M. Arenas, M. Muñoz, A. Cantizano, J.I. Linares, M.J. Montes, A.J. Rovira, "Preliminary design of S-CO2 turbomachinery and its influence on the performance of an integrated solar combined cycle", presented at 30th International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems - SolarPACES 2024, Rome, Italy, 08-11 October 2024. In: SolarPACES Conference Proceedings, vol. 3, pp. 1-7, doi: 10.52825/solarpaces.v3i

IIT-24-368C