Power conversion cycles study for He-cooled reactor concepts for DEMO

The study of different power conversion cycles have been performed in the framework of the DEMO scoping studies to provide technical information focused on the selection of DEMO parameters. The purpose of this study has been the investigation of 'advanced cycles' in order to get an improvement on the thermodynamic efficiency. Starting from the 'near term' He-cooled blanket concepts (HCLL, HCPB), developed within the Power Plant Conceptual Studies (PPCS) and currently considered for DEMO, conversion cycles based on a standard Rankine cycle were shown to yield net efficiencies (net power/thermal power) of approximately 28%. Two main features limit these efficiencies. Firstly, the heat sources in the reactor: the blanket which provides over 80% of the total thermal power, only produces moderate coolant temperatures (300-500 deg. C). The remaining thermal power is deposited in the divertor with a more respectable coolant temperature (540-717 deg. C). Secondly, the low inlet temperature of blanket coolant limits the possibilities to achieve efficient heat exchange with cycle. The parameters of HCLL model AB have been used for the analysis of the following cycles: (a) supercritical steam Rankine, (b) supercritical CO2 indirect Brayton and (c) separate cycles: independent cycles for the blanket and divertor. A comparison of the gross and net efficiencies obtained from these alternative cycles alongside the standard superheated Rankine cycle will be discussed in the paper