Research on the applicability of isothermal compressors to supercritical carbon dioxide recompression cycle for nuclear energy

•Analyze the effect of inlet conditions on characteristics of isothermal compressors.•Iso-MC is recommended for high-temperature and low-pressure inlet conditions.•The modified sCO2 recompression cycle is more suitable for isothermal compressors.•Exergy loss of the HTR in the modified layout is notably reduced.