Symposia

Gas turbine cycles have attracted attention within the nuclear community because of their higher efficiencies. For example, the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor under development in South Africa uses a helium Brayton cycle; because this cycle requires temperatures above 800°C to achieve high efficiencies, its applicability is limited to reactor concepts with high core outlet temperatures. The supercritical CO2 (SCO2) power cycle has drawn attention due to its ability to achieve high efficiencies (e.g. 45%) at moderate temperatures (e.g. 550°C) that match the ranges of existing reactor technologies. In addition, the SCO2 equipment is more compact than that of the helium cycle, which is itself more compact than a steam cycle.

The purpose of this symposium is to:

• Review the status of worldwide research activities on the SCO2 power conversion system and its key components;
• Examine its potential in comparison with alternative energy conversion systems;
• Develop insights among experts from industry, national laboratories and academia about the major challenges for the development of this cycle; and
• Attract MIT-wide faculty and students to participate in the development of this promising technology.

Topical areas that will be addressed include cycle description, its application potential to fossil and nuclear power plants and comparison with other cycles, design considerations priorities of key components, such as heat exchangers, turbomachinery and bearings, materials issues, cycle operational and transient considerations and the major R&D needs.

Contact Information

Dr. Pavel Hejzlar, Principal Research Scientist
Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering
hejzlar@mit.edu
phone: (617) 253-4231
address: 24-215A, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139