Comparison of CO₂ Power Cycle to He Cycle

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 CO₂ absorbing less heat than Helium,resulting in larger cycle mass flow rate than Helium cycle under the same power;however,higher density of CO₂ makes smaller cycle volume flow rate.Because of the special physical properties of carbon dioxide,the CO₂ 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.