Economic and thermo-mechanical design of tubular sCO2 central-receivers

Supercritical CO2 central-receivers must withstand high temperatures and pressures combined with cyclic operation, which makes the solar receiver susceptible to creep-fatigue failure. In this work, a analysis of sCO2 Inconel 740H tubular 2 MWe tower plant has been accomplished study influence tube size on field design. A 2D numerical model that accounts for thermal conduction in both radial circumferential directions was developed determine wall temperature profile, is crucial calculations. The flux distribution, an input model, obtained SolarPILOT, while conventional recompression used calculate cycle efficiency inlet receiver. Comparison results those 1D showed overestimates creep fatigue rupture time by two orders magnitude. Furthermore, costs heliostat were calculated different sizes. Smaller tubes allowed higher maximum heat leading smaller designs, resulted overall power lower material costs. For design ensuring 25 year lifetime minimum cost, 345 €/kWth, smallest pipe diameter.