Using Supercritical CO2 in IPSE Products | SimTech Libraries

IPSE 15 July 2024 01 December 2023

Supercritical CO2 processes are making waves in the engineering world and SimTech's tools are designed to assist engineers and researchers to be at the forefront. We have added several sCO2 cycle configurations to our LTP_Lib library for IPSE GO and IPSEpro.

Achieving Competitive Advantage with sCO2

Compared to conventional steam power cycles or organic Rankine cycles (ORC), using sCO2 as a working fluid offers several competitive advantages:

Smaller System Footprint: sCO2 cycles can operate at higher efficiencies with smaller equipment sizes compared to traditional steam cycles.
Lower Capital Costs: The reduction in equipment size and the higher efficiencies of sCO2 cycles often result in lower overall capital costs for power plants.
High Cycle Efficiencies: sCO2 cycles maintain high efficiencies over a wide range of temperatures, making them highly adaptable to various heat sources.
Environmental Benefits: sCO2 is non-toxic and non-flammable, reducing environmental risks associated with other working fluids.

Of course, the cycle configuration must be well adjusted to the concrete application, which is facilitated by our process simulation software IPSEpro or IPSE GO.

Expanding the LTP_Lib Library: Versatile sCO2 Configurations

The library now includes a variety of ready-to-use sCO2 cycle configurations:

**Brayton Cycle**: Also known as Joule cycle, here it employs CO2 as the working fluid and forms the basis of sCO2 technology.

**Recuperated Cycle**: This configuration improves efficiency by recovering heat from the turbine exhaust to preheat the CO2 before compression.

**Recompressed Cycle**: This variant further enhances efficiency by splitting the flow and recompressing part of it to optimize the thermal balance.

These models are fully parametrized and ready to use. They serve as a versatile starting point, allowing you to tailor them to your unique projects.

Applications of sCO2 Technology

Supercritical CO2 (sCO2) technology demonstrates remarkable versatility and finds application across a variety of fields. In power generation, sCO2 cycles excel, enhancing efficiency and reducing the footprint of both renewable energy systems and traditional fossil fuel plants. Industries can also utilize sCO2 cycles for waste heat recovery, transforming what would be lost energy into a valuable resource, thereby boosting overall energy efficiency. Additionally, in the realm of nuclear power, sCO2 cycles can be seamlessly integrated into advanced reactors, significantly improving thermal efficiency and safety.

Customizing sCO2 Cycles

IPSE products allow users to customize the sCO2 cycle configurations to fit specific project needs:

Parameter Adjustments: Users can tweak parameters such as pressure, temperature, and flow rates to optimize the cycle for their application.
Component Modifications: The flexibility to modify or add components like compressors, turbines, and heat exchangers, which can be done with the IPSEpro Model Development Kit (MDK) / Process Simulation Environment (PSE), ensures the model fits the exact requirements of the project.
Simulation and Analysis: With our energy simulation and process modeling software, users can simulate the entire process and analyze performance metrics to make data-driven decisions.

Conclusion

SimTech’s expanded LTP_Lib library for IPSE GO and IPSEpro positions engineers and researchers at the forefront of sCO2 technology. With versatile, customizable cycle configurations, users can achieve higher efficiencies, lower costs, and a smaller system footprint. As we continue to innovate and expand our offerings, the future of energy production looks more efficient and sustainable than ever.

Interested in exploring this cutting-edge technology? Visit our website and apply for a free trial version of IPSE GO here.

Join us in harnessing the potential of sCO2. Discover how SimTech's LTP_Lib library can enhance your projects!