Thermodynamic Analysis of a Thermal Energy Storage System Coupled with a sCO2 Power Cycle Using an Air-Cooled Cooler

Thermal energy storage (TES) systems utilizing sodium as the storage medium can enhance energy storage density by operating under substantial temperature differences between the hot and cold tanks. This study proposes a novel sCO(2) Brayton cycle tailored for such operating conditions. A parametric study of the sCO(2) design parameters is used to derive the optimized thermal equilibrium. In addition, the study evaluates the applicability of air-cooled coolers, mitigating constraints on the installation location of the TES system and facilitating inland deployment where water is scarce. Consequently, a design code for the sCO(2) air-cooled cooler is developed and validated. Furthermore, the sizing of the air-cooled cooler assesses the impact of air-cooled coolers on the efficiency of the sCO(2) Brayton cycle.