Work

Optimization of Exergy Output Rate in a Supercritical CO2 Brayton Cogeneration System

Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: To address low energy utilization efficiency and severe exergy destruction from direct discharge of high-temperature turbine exhaust, this study proposes a supercritical CO2 Brayton cogeneration system with a series-connected hot water heat exchanger for stepwise waste heat recovery. Based on finite-time thermodynamics, a physical model that provides a more realistic framework by incorporating finite temperature difference heat transfer, irreversible compression, and expansion losses is established. Aiming to maximize exergy output rate under the constraint of fixed total thermal conductance, the decision variables, including working fluid mass flow rate, pressure ratio, and thermal conductance distribution ratio, are optimized. Optimization yields a 16.06% increase in exergy output rate compared with the baseline design. The optimal parameter combination is a mass flow rate of 79 kg/s and a pressure ratio of 5.64, with thermal conductance allocation increased for the regenerator and cooler, while decreased for the heater. The obtained results could provide theoretical guidance for enhancing energy efficiency and sustainability in S-CO2 cogeneration systems, with potential applications in industrial waste heat recovery and power generation.
Source: Entropy
Authors: Jiachi Shan, Shaojun Xia, Qinglong Jin
Language: English
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,137
OpenAlex ID: W4415362255
FWCI: 0.301
Cites: 44
Cited by: 1
Related to: