Thermodynamic analysis of a transcritical CO2 power cycle driven by solar energy with liquified natural gas as its heat sink

This paper proposes a transcritical CO2 power cycle driven by solar energy while utilizing the cold heat rejection to an liquified natural gas (LNG) evaporation system. In order to ensure a continuous and stable operation for the system, a thermal storage system is introduced to store the collected solar energy and to provide stable power output when solar radiation is insufficient. A mathematical model is developed to simulate the solar-driven transcritical CO2 power cycle under steady-state conditions, and a modified system efficiency is defined to better evaluate the cycle performance over a period of time. The thermodynamic analysis focuses on the effects of some key parameters, including the turbine inlet pressure, the turbine inlet temperature and the condensation temperature, on the system performance. Results indicate that the net power output mainly depends on the solar radiation over a day, yet the system is still capable of generating electricity long after sunset by virtue of the thermal storage tank. An optimum turbine inlet pressure exists under given conditions where the net power output and the system efficiency both reach maximum values. The net power output and the system efficiency are less sensitive to the change in the turbine inlet temperature, but the condensation temperature exerts a significant influence on the system performance. The surface area of heat exchangers increases with the rise in the turbine inlet temperature, while changes in the turbine inlet pressure have no significant impact on the heat exchanging area under the given conditions. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.