How Supercritical CO2 Working Fluid Can Increase Power Plant Efficiency
1 min read
Summary
An alternative to using steam to produce electricity is supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2), claims a video from Ryan Inis.
Supercritical fluid CO2 offers several advantages to thermal power plants, including higher density, therefore requiring smaller turbine blades, as well as higher heat extraction.
However, corrosion and erosion remain issues to be worked out.
Most coal plants are not retrofitted, and most new nuclear plant designs – as well as some restart projects – are increasingly moving towards gas, salt and even liquid metal coolants.
Nevertheless, CO2 could be used as a secondary coolant loop instead of water where appropriate.
