Hybridized Triply Periodic Minimal Surface Recuperators in CSP Super-Critical CO2 Recompressed Brayton Cycles – Review and Avant-Garde Pro-Spects

Recompressed sCO2 Brayton Cycles (RCBC) are topical in the narrative of sustainable energy conversion and are considered to be at 80 % technology readiness level, but still open to thermal efficiency (ηth) and levelized cost of energy (LCOE) enhancements. However, the lack of rigorous academic engagement in the specific nexus of concentrated solar plant (CSP) RCBCs and Triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) recuperators may be veiling the honey pot. This study surveys data over two decades around academic and research institutions on the history and trends of solar RCBCs and how recuperators contribute to their thermal and economic efficiency. Findings show that many theoretical studies on the RCBC exist, but among RCBC – CSP demonstration plants, there is a total of three (3) ongoing full scale testing stations in the US, EU and China and a couple others still in the construction and initial commissioning stage. The highest reported ηth is 54 % and the lowest LCOE is 0.059 $/kWh. Among the existing test stations worldwide, most use printed circuit heat exchangers (PCHE) recuperators, despite numerical studies presented in this study proving that TPMS recuperators are more effectual on both thermal, hydraulic and LCOE per-formance. As a result, this study has made a strong case in proposing that better prospects may lie around TPMS hybridization of recuperators retrofitted into CSP RCBCs. The authors have strengthened their case by presenting literature evidence on the availability sCO2 compatible alloys, maturity of TPMS manufacturing technology, cost and time effectiveness of their fabrication.