• The KSFM Journal of Fluid Machinery
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.95-103
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• 2014

During the international effort to develop the next generation nuclear reactor technologies, many new power cycle concepts were derived to improve efficiency and reduce the capital cost. Among many innovative power cycles, it was identified that the supercritical $CO_2$ (S-$CO_2$) Brayton cycle technology has a big potential to outperform the existing steam cycle and eventually replace it. The S-$CO_2$ cycle achieves high efficiency with very compact size, which is the ultimate advantage for a power cycle to have. The S-$CO_2$ cycle has a great potential not only for the future nuclear applications but also for general heat sources such as coal, natural gas, and concentrated solar. In this paper, a brief introduction to the S-$CO_2$ power cycle technologies will be first provided, and a short summary of current research and development status of the power cycle technology around the world will be followed. Especially the research works performed by KAIST, KAERI and several related research institutions in Korea will be reviewed in more detail, since they have recently developing a strong infrastructure to test these ideas by constructing a demonstration facility while producing many innovative ideas to improve and realize the concept.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.39 no.10
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• pp.787-793
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• 2015

In response to the growing interest in supercritical carbon dioxide ($S-CO_2$) power cycle technology because of its potential enhancement in compactness and efficiency, the $S-CO_2$ cycles have been studied intensively in the fields of nuclear power, concentrated solar power (CSP), and fossil fuel power generation. Despite this interest, there are relatively few studies on waste heat recovery applications. In this study, the $S-CO_2$ cycle that has a split flow with preheating was modeled and simulated. The variation in the power was investigated with respect to the changes in the value of a design parameter. Under the simulation conditions considered in this study, it was confirmed that the design parameter has an optimal value that can maximize the power in the $S-CO_2$ power cycle that has a split flow with preheating.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.877-887
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• 2022

A new reactor concept is described that directly couples a supercritical CO₂ (sCO₂) power cycle with a CO₂-cooled, heavy water moderated pressure tube core. This configuration attains the simplification and economic potential of past direct-cycle sCO₂ concepts, while also providing safety and power density benefits by using the moderator as a heat sink for decay heat removal. A 200 MWe design is described that heavily leverages existing commercial nuclear technologies, including reactor and moderator systems from Canadian CANDU reactors and fuels and materials from UK Advanced Gas-cooled Reactors (AGRs). Descriptions are provided of the power cycle, nuclear island systems, reactor core, and safety systems, and the results of safety analyses are shown illustrating the ability of the design to withstand large-break loss of coolant accidents. The resulting design attains high efficiency while employing considerably fewer systems than current light water reactors and advanced reactor technologies, illustrating its economic promise. Prospects for the design are discussed, including the ability to demonstrate its technologies in a small (~20 MWe) initial system, and avenues for further improvement of the design using advanced technologies.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.647-661
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• 2015

The supercritical $CO_2$ (S-$CO_2$) Brayton cycle has recently been gaining a lot of attention for application to next generation nuclear reactors. The advantages of the S-$CO_2$ cycle are high efficiency in the mild turbine inlet temperature region and a small physical footprint with a simple layout, compact turbomachinery, and heat exchangers. Several heat sources including nuclear, fossil fuel, waste heat, and renewable heat sources such as solar thermal or fuel cells are potential application areas of the S-$CO_2$ cycle. In this paper, the current development progress of the S-$CO_2$ cycle is introduced. Moreover, a quick comparison of various S-$CO_2$ layouts is presented in terms of cycle performance.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.490-499
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• 1989

These days the closed cycle gas turbine attracts considerable attention due to : (1) The possibility of directly coupling the closed cycle gas turbine with a high temperature gas cooled reactor ; (2) the economical use of dry coolers to reduce the thermal charge of the environment ; and (3) the reduction of pollution and energy consumption, by replacing the domestic hearth by a central heating and power station. In this paper, we selected the optimal cycle from the characteristic of thermodynamic cycle for the optimal design of closed CO$_{2}$ gas turbine cycle usuable in nuclear energy power plant. Also the effects of between the parameters and thermal efficiency were investigated by computer simulation. These results and design data will be added to basics in optimal designing closed CO$_{2}$ cycle gas turbine plant.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2008.11b
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• pp.3181-3188
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• 2008

The supercritical $CO_2$ Brayton cycle energy conversion system is presented as a promising alternative to the present Rankine cycle. The principal advantage of the S-$CO_2$ gas is a good efficiency at a modest temperature and a compact size of its components. The S-$CO_2$ Brayton cycle coupled to a SFR also excludes the possibilities of a SWR (Sodium-Water Reaction) which is a major safety-related event, so that the safety of a SFR can be improved. KAERI is conducting a feasibility study for the supercritical carbon dioxide (S-$CO_2$) Brayton cycle power conversion system coupled to KALIMER(Korea Advanced LIquid MEtal Reactor). The purpose of this research is to develop S-$CO_2$ Brayton cycle energy conversion systems and evaluate their performance when they are coupled to advanced nuclear reactor concepts of the type under investigation in the Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems. This paper contains the research overview of the S-$CO_2$ Brayton cycle coupled to KALIMER-600 as an alternative energy conversion system.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.8
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• pp.2812-2822
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• 2023

The supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO₂) Brayton power cycle is more effective than the conventional power cycle and is more widely applicable to heat sources. The inlet working conditions of the compressor have a higher influence on their operating performance because the thermophysical properties of the CO₂ vary dramatically close to the critical point. The flow in the sCO₂ compressor is simulated and the compressor performance is analyzed. The results show that the sCO₂ centrifugal compressor operates outside of its intended parameters due to the change in inlet temperature. The sCO₂ compressor requires more power as the inlet temperature increases. The compressor power is 582 kW when the inlet temperature is at 304 K. But the power is doubled when the inlet temperature increases to 314 K, and the change in the isentropic efficiency is within 5%. The increase in the inlet temperature significantly reduces the risk of condensation in centrifugal compressors. When the heat load of the sCO₂ power system changes, the inlet pressure to the turbine can be kept constant by regulating the rotational speed of compressors. With the increase in rotational speed, the incidence loss and condensation risk increase.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.699-714
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• 2021

Supercritical CO₂ (S-CO₂) Brayton cycle has been applied to various heat sources in recent decades, owing to the characteristics of compact structure and high efficiency. Understanding the research development in this emerging research field is crucial for future study. Thus, a bibliometric approach is employed to analyze the scientific publications of S-CO₂ cycle field from 2000 to 2019. In Scopus database, there were totally 724 publications from 1378 authors and 543 institutes, which were distributed over 55 countries. Based on the software-BibExcel, these publications were analyzed from various aspects, such as major research areas, affiliations and keyword occurrence frequency. Furthermore, parameters such as citations, hot articles were also employed to evaluate the research output of productive countries, institutes and authors. The analysis showed that each paper has been cited 13.39 times averagely. United States was identified as the leading country in S-CO₂ research followed by China and South Korea. Based on the contents of publications, existing researches on S-CO₂ are briefly reviewed from the five aspects, namely application, cycle configurations and modeling, CO₂-based mixtures, system components, and experiments. Future development is suggested to accelerate the commercialization of S-CO₂ power system.

• Journal of Power System Engineering
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.94-100
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• 2017

Due to the environmental problems caused by the greenhouse effect, regulation of $CO_2$ emissions is getting stronger day by day. In paricular, regulations of automobiles $CO_2$ emissions are being strengthen. However, existing $CO_2$ measurement methods do not reflect the environment and operating conditions on actual roads. Emissions of $CO_2$ can be increased by various conditions such as environmental condition(temperature and humidity) and driver's tendency(aggressive and passive). Therefore it is necessary to reflect the conditions of various actual roads such as 5-cycle test method on behalf of the existing $CO_2$ emission measurement method. The 5-cycle measurement method has five test modes; FTP-75, HWFET, US06, SC03, Cold FTP-75. The method reflects the following three environments and operating conditions as compared to conventional method; Using heater at low temperature, Aggressive driving such as rapid acceleration or deceleration, Using air conditioner at high temperature. Because of these various conditions of each test cycle, the 5-cycle method can reflect actual environments and operating conditions. This paper attempt to analyze $CO_2$ emission characteristics based on the results measured through the 5-cycle mode and develop the correction formula that can derive the results of the 5-cycle test method using existing test methods. As a result, the developed correction formula is expected to reduce $CO_2$ emissions and cut down expense for testing 5-cycle mode.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.1482-1494
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• 2022

Power conversion cycles (Subcritical Steam, Supercritical Steam, Open Air Brayton, Recuperated Air Brayton, Combined Cycle, Closed Brayton Supercritical CO₂ (sCO₂), and Stirling) are evaluated for land-based nuclear microreactors based on technical maturity, system efficiency, size, cost and maintainability, safety implications, and siting considerations. Based upon these criteria, Air Brayton systems were selected for further evaluation. A brief history of the development and applications of Brayton power systems is given, followed by a description of how these thermal-to-electrical energy conversion systems might be integrated with a nuclear microreactor. Modeling is performed for optimized cycles operating at 3 MW(e) with turbine inlet temperatures of 500 ℃, 650 ℃ and 850 ℃, corresponding to: a) sodium fast, b) molten salt or heat pipe, and c) helium or sodium thermal reactors, coupled with three types of Brayton power conversion units (PCUs): 1) simple open-cycle gas turbine, 2) recuperated open-cycle gas turbine, and 3) recuperated and intercooled open-cycle gas turbine. Aeroderivative turboshaft engines employing the simple Brayton cycle and two industrial gas turbine engines employing recuperated air Brayton cycles are also analyzed. These engines offer mature technology that can facilitate near-term deployment with a modest improvement in efficiency.