The second-law analysis evaluates the irreversibilities of a process. Systematic study of the relationship between thermodynamic efficiency and process modifications enhances process synthesis. The Allam cycle is an oxy-fuel combustion cycle with nearly complete carbon capture that offers greater efficiency than current electricity generating systems. This study applies lost work analysis to the original Allam cycle and three modifications to obtain the distribution of irreversibilities and the effects of different configurations among potential process improvements for more sustainable power generation. The major inefficiencies are from the combustors and heat exchangers. We also examine the economic profitability of the alternatives. The largest equipment costs are for the turbines, compressors, and recuperators. We find that improving efficiency leads to less economic return; a configuration with partial compression has the highest efficiency, while the original Allam cycle has the highest profitability. We discuss how to resolve this apparent conflict between sustainability and profitability.

中文翻译：

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sCO2 动力循环的热经济分析


第二定律分析评估过程的不可逆性。对热力学效率和工艺改进之间关系的系统研究可以增强工艺合成。阿拉姆循环是一种几乎完全碳捕获的氧燃料燃烧循环，比当前的发电系统具有更高的效率。本研究将损失功分析应用于原始阿拉姆循环和三种修改，以获得不可逆性的分布以及不同配置在潜在工艺改进中的影响，以实现更可持续的发电。主要的低效率来自燃烧器和热交换器。我们还研究了替代方案的经济盈利能力。最大的设备成本是涡轮机、压缩机和换热器。我们发现，提高效率会导致经济效益降低；部分压缩的配置具有最高的效率，而原始的阿拉姆循环具有最高的盈利能力。我们讨论如何解决可持续性和盈利能力之间的明显冲突。