High-Efficiency Power Cycles for Particle-Based Concentrating Solar Power Plants: Thermodynamic Optimization and Critical Comparison

This paper investigates and compares several highly efficient thermodynamic cycles that are suitable for coupling with particle-in-tube fluidized-bed solar receiver technology. In such a receiver, high-temperature particles used as both heat transfer fluid storage medium. A dense particle suspension (DPS) is created through an upward bubbling (UBFB) flow inside the tubes, which constitutes “particle-in-tube” concept. Reaching higher temperatures seen key factor future cost reductions in plant, this leads to power conversion efficiency increased energy density. Three advanced analyzed work: supercritical steam Rankine cycle (s-steam), carbon dioxide (s-CO2) integrated combined (ISCC). For each one, 100% contribution, considered total thermal input cycle, can be satisfied by receiver. The main findings show s-CO2 most DPS exhibiting net above 50% moderate temperature range (680–730 °C). other cycles, 45.35% achieved s-steam case, while of ISCC configuration limited 45.23% solar-only operation mode.