Dynamic study of a supercritical carbon dioxide power cycle for DEMO

Abstract

In the framework of the research program undertaken by the EUROFusion consortium (within H2020), the feasibility has been analysed of using a supercritical carbon dioxide Brayton cycle as the power conversion system in a future fusion nuclear reactor with breeding blankets of the type Dual Coolant Lithium-Lead. The integration in the layout of the thermal sources has been optimized and thermal energy storage has been featured in order to decouple the reactor operation from the power generation.

Dynamic modelling of the selected design has been performed with the thermal-hydraulic system code RELAP5-3D. Presently the model only includes the CO2 cycle, and the circuits of fluids exchanging heat directly with the cycle, along with all the needed heat exchangers.

The code allows the simulation of control systems. Control strategies aimed to stabilize some plant parameters have been implemented.