A Fortran model of the Sandia split flow recompression Brayton
cycle has been developed to investigate performance trade-offs
and inform improvement decisions. The inputs to this model include
main compressor inlet pressure and temperature, speeds
for both TACs, and heater discharge temperature. Digital versions
of the turbomachinery performance curves are interrogated, which
requires an iterative approach to resolving a balanced steady state
condition. Pressure losses throughout the loop are based on curve
fits of experimental component pressure losses as a function of
mass flow. Using these five inputs, a balanced operating point is
obtained that defines the state points around the system, and component
and system performance.