Development and Verification of a Transient Analysis Tool for Solar Power Tower System with sCO 2 Brayton Cycle

Chenxu Xu, Jichen Zou, Gang Wang and Chuntian Gao ()
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Chenxu Xu: School of Energy and Power Engineering, Northeast Electric Power University, Jilin 132012, China
Jichen Zou: School of Energy and Power Engineering, Northeast Electric Power University, Jilin 132012, China
Gang Wang: School of Energy and Power Engineering, Northeast Electric Power University, Jilin 132012, China
Chuntian Gao: School of Energy and Power Engineering, Northeast Electric Power University, Jilin 132012, China

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 21, 1-30

Abstract: Supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO 2 ) Brayton cycle is a promising technology for concentrating solar power systems. However, existing studies predominantly rely on steady-state or quasi-steady-state assumptions, thereby neglecting transient characteristics of fluid flow and heat transfer. This study develops a transient analysis program for solar power tower systems integrated with sCO 2 Brayton cycles using the finite difference method. The program comprises two interactive modules—a molten salt loop and a Brayton cycle module—coupled through an intermediate heat exchanger. For the Brayton cycle module, a fluid network model enabling a unified framework for the simultaneous solution of all governing equations is adopted. The SIMPLE algorithm and Gauss–Seidel iteration method are employed to solve the conservation equations. Following validation of key components and system performance, dynamic simulations under load and solar irradiance step disturbances are conducted. The results demonstrate that the program accurately captures transient behaviors and supports control strategy design and safety analysis for solar power tower systems with arbitrary sCO 2 Brayton cycle layouts.

Keywords: solar tower power generation; sCO 2 brayton cycle; transient analysis; code verification (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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