sCO2 Technical Glossary & Terminology

A comprehensive reference for engineers and procurement leads navigating the technical landscape of supercritical CO2 technology.

Supercritical CO2 (sCO2)

Carbon dioxide held at or above its critical temperature (31.1°C) and pressure (7.39 MPa), exhibiting properties of both a gas and a liquid.

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GH4169 Alloy

A Chinese high-temperature nickel-based superalloy equivalent to Inconel 718. It is essential for sCO2 turbine blades due to its fatigue resistance at 650°C+.

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Transcritical Cycle

A thermodynamic cycle where the working fluid (CO2) is at supercritical state in the high-pressure side and subcritical in the low-pressure side.

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COP (Coefficient of Performance)

The ratio of heating or cooling provided to electrical energy consumed. Verified sCO2 units maintain a COP > 2.0 at -30°C.

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R744 Refrigerant

The industrial designation for CO2 used as a natural refrigerant. It has a GWP (Global Warming Potential) of 1 and ODP of 0.

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MW-Scale sCO2

Refers to large-scale energy recovery systems with power outputs starting from 1 Megawatt, typically using GH4169 Superalloy turbines.

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