Optimization of Exergy Output Rate in a Supercritical CO₂ Brayton Cogeneration System

To address low energy utilization efficiency and severe exergy destruction from direct discharge of high-temperature turbine exhaust, this study proposes a supercritical CO₂ Brayton cogeneration system with a series-connected hot water heat exchanger for stepwise waste heat recovery. Based on finite-time thermodynamics, a physical model that provides a more realistic framework by incorporating finite temperature difference heat transfer, irreversible compression, and expansion losses is established. Aiming to maximize exergy output rate under the constraint of fixed total thermal conductance, the decision variables, including working fluid mass flow rate, pressure ratio, and thermal conductance distribution ratio, are optimized. Optimization yields a 16.06% increase in exergy output rate compared with the baseline design. The optimal parameter combination is a mass flow rate of 79 kg/s and a pressure ratio of 5.64, with thermal conductance allocation increased for the regenerator and cooler, while decreased for the heater. The obtained results could provide theoretical guidance for enhancing energy efficiency and sustainability in S-CO₂ cogeneration systems, with potential applications in industrial waste heat recovery and power generation.