Abstract
The Rankine cycle is widely used for electricity production. Significant weight and size characteristics of the power equipment working on superheated steam are the main disadvantages of such power plants. The transition to supercritical carbon dioxide (S-CO2) working fluid is a promising way to achieve a significant reduction in equipment metal consumption and to increase energy efficiency. This paper presents the results of thermodynamic analysis of S-CO2 thermal power plants (TPPs) utilizing the heat of combustion products of an energy boiler. It was found that the net efficiency of the developed S-CO2 TPP with a pulverized coal-fired boiler reached 49.2% at an initial temperature of 780 °C, which was 2% higher compared to the efficiency level of steam turbine power plants (STPPs) at a similar turbine inlet temperature.