SOLAR DRIVEN PRODUCTION USING CO2 AS WORKING FLUID

This paper is focused on a proposed test rig on operating a CO2-based Rankine cycle. A systematic prototype was proposed to examine the availability of utilizing solar energy in generating power output. Heated air is used to simulate the heat input of solar energy. The benefits of using CO2 as working fluid include higher thermal conductivity, higher working pressure which allows a more compact system, and better performance in energy recovering. A series of tests were run to determine the work output with an expander and a turbine. A model of this system was also established to simulate the operations in some certain conditions where real tests are unavailable. In these results and the comparisons, the possibility of achieving a satisfying power output from solar energy source is well evaluated. In the scope of future study, some improvements can be done in the aspects of introducing a higher temperature heat source, a better expander in order to manage a greater work output, and an external absorption system that can take advantage of the wasted thermal output in this system.