Conceptual design for the energy conversion system of a nuclear gas turbine cogeneration plant

• Published in: Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Part A, Journal of power and energy Vol. 214; no. 5; pp. 401 - 411
• Main Authors: Kikstra, J. F., Verkooijen, A. H M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.01.2000; Professionnal Engineering Publishing; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Exact sciences and technology; Fission nuclear power plants; Installations for energy generation and conversion: thermal and electrical energy; combined heat and power; nuclear gas turbine cogeneration plant; energy conversion; HTGR; High temperature reactor; District heating; Cogeneration; Nuclear power plant; Heat exchanger; Energy conversion; Turbine; Safety; Performance; Gas cooled reactor; Optimization
• ISSN: 0957-6509; 2041-2967
• DOI: 10.1243/0957650001537967

Abstract The high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) is a nuclear reactor which can be designed to be inherently safe. When the helium heated in the reactor is used directly in a closed-cycle gas turbine system, the excellent safety characteristics can be combined with a high efficiency. Because of the small scale and simple modular design (both a result of the inherent safety) the HTGR is suitable for combined heat and power (CHP) production. In this article an energy conversion system for a nuclear gas turbine cogeneration plant is designed. First, with help of a basic model, a cycle choice is made and some parameters such as pressure ratio and heat-power ratio are optimized. With a steady state model a conceptual design is made and a sensitivity analysis is carried out for a number of design parameters. Finally, the off-design behaviour is optimized.