In 2015, an experimental facility working with supercritical carbon dioxide was commissioned. The Řež research centre team was responsible for the design. Apart from selected components that were purchased, the entire device was manufactured and assembled in the Řež research centre’s own workshops. The main purpose of the experimental sCO2 loop was to test heat transfer in heat exchangers, perform material corrosion experiments and test components within the sCO2 circuits. The experimental loop has fulfilled its purpose very well and is widely used in numerous Czech and European research projects. For example, various types of recuperators (sCO2/sCO2), coolers (sCO2/oil, sCO2/water, sCO2/air) and condensers (sCO2/steam) have been tested in the loop, and further tests are currently under preparation (sCO2/FLiBe, sCO2 /solid particles). In addition to testing heat exchangers, the performance characteristics of the compressor and turbine were also measured on the loop and various materials have undergone corrosion and erosion exposure. The main parameters of the experimental loop are shown in the table below. Currently, it is has the highest performance parameters of this type of system within Europe.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum operating temperature | 550°C |
| Maximum operating pressure | 25 MPa |
| Maximum sCO2 mass flow | 0,2 kg/s |
