Abstract:
Brayton cycle is the key technology for the fourth-generation nuclear reactor power cycle.This paper analyzed the carbon dioxide power cycle,and compared it with the most widely studied helium Brayton cycle.The result demonstrates that the unit mass of CO
2 absorbing less heat than Helium,resulting in larger cycle mass flow rate than Helium cycle under the same power;however,higher density of CO
2 makes smaller cycle volume flow rate.Because of the special physical properties of carbon dioxide,the CO
2 Brayton cycle,which can reach a higher level of efficiency at a lower temperature(650℃) and reduce the volume of heat exchanger and turbo machinery,has a great potential.