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Energy Conversion & Storage

Published on 3 October 2020

The CATHARE code is used to model power conversion cycles (PCS), also known as thermodynamic cycles or heat engines. These systems convert thermal energy into mechanical energy, which can then be used to generate electricity. The most common cycles are the Brayton and Rankine cycles, which can be used for a variety of energy sources, such as fossil, nuclear, concentrated solar, biomass and waste heat. Using the CATHARE code, the dynamics of these conversion systems and their interaction with heat sources and possible heat storage can be modeled. Thanks to the modularity of the CATHARE code and the multiple fluids provided by coupling with REFPROP, many thermodynamic cycles (especially with phase change) can be modeled. This becomes more and more necessary due to the large amount of intermittent renewable energy sources, such as photovoltaic, wind, wave, and tidal energy, which brings new challenges for the grid stability. In this new context, thermal power plants, their PCS and associated thermal heat storage must be able to ensure an adequate flexibility.

 

 Brayton Cycles

Many Brayton cycles have been modeled with CATHARE. Working fluids such as air, helium, nitrogen or a mixture of helium and nitrogen have been simulated. Below, the pressure level of a 750 MWth cycle running with high-pressure nitrogen as working fluid is presented during a turbine trip transient.

Videobrayton_pressure.mp4
 

Rankine Cycles

Traditional steam/water Rankine cycles are being studied with CATHARE mainly through analyses of the secondary circuit of PWR.

Supercritical CO2 Brayton Cycles

Supercritical CO2 (sCO2) cycles are being studied with CATHARE, in particular as part of the sCO2-4-NPP european project. Below, the temperature level of a simple sCO2 cycle is presented.

 
 

 Organic Rankine Cycles

Organic Rankine cycles are being studied with CATHARE, the organic fluid allows Rankine cycle heat recovery from lower temperature sources such as biomass combustion, industrial waste heat, geothermal heat, solar ponds, etc. Below, a cycle of 10 kWth running with the NovecTM649 as working fluid in subcritical condition is presented.

 Thermal Heat Storage

Latent heat storages are also studied with CATHARE. Below, a model of a charge/discharge cycle of the LHASSA experimental facility is presented.