The Liquid Metal Fuel Reactor Closed-Cycle Gas Turbine Power Plant

1956 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. D. Stoughton ◽  
T. V. Sheehan
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Liquid Metal ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Reactor Fuel ◽  
Working Fluid ◽  
Closed Cycle ◽  
Fuel Reactor ◽  
Metal Fuel ◽  
Gas Turbine Power Plant

A nuclear power plant is proposed which combines the advantages of a liquid metal fueled reactor with those inherent in a closed cycle gas turbine. The reactor fuel is a solution of uranium in molten bismuth which allows for unlimited burn-up with continuous fuel make-up and processing. The fuel can either be contained in a graphite core structure or circulated through an external heat exchanger. The cycle working fluid is an inert gas which is heated by the reactor fuel before entering the turbine. A 15 MW closed cycle gas turbine system is shown to illustrate the application of this reactor.

Multi-Fluid Gas Turbine Components Scaling for a Generation IV Nuclear Power Plant Performance Simulation

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel O. Osigwe ◽  
Arnold Gad-Briggs ◽  
Theoklis Nikolaidis ◽  
Pericles Pilidis ◽  
Suresh Sampath
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power Plant ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Working Fluid ◽  
Simulation Tool ◽  
Closed Cycle ◽  
Performance Simulation ◽  
Working Fluids ◽  
Component Map

One major challenge to the accurate development of performance simulation tool for component-based nuclear power plant engine models is the difficulty in accessing component performance maps; hence, researchers or engineers often rely on estimation approach using various scaling techniques. This paper describes a multi-fluid scaling approach used to determine the component characteristics of a closed-cycle gas turbine plant from an existing component map with their design data, which can be applied for different working fluids as may be required in closed-cycle gas turbine operations to adapt data from one component map into a new component map. Each component operation is defined by an appropriate change of state equations which describes its thermodynamic behavior, thus, a consideration of the working fluid properties is of high relevance to the scaling approach. The multi-fluid scaling technique described in this paper was used to develop a computer simulation tool called GT-ACYSS, which can be valuable for analyzing the performance of closed-cycle gas turbine operations with different working fluids. This approach makes it easy to theoretically scale existing map using similar or different working fluids without carrying out a full experimental test or repeating the whole design and development process. The results of selected case studies show a reasonable agreement with available data.

scholarly journals Performance Analyses and Evaluation of Co2 and N2 as Coolants in a Recuperated Brayton Gas Turbine Cycle for a Generation IV Nuclear Reactor Power Plant

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel O. Osigwe ◽  
Arnold Gad-Briggs ◽  
Theoklis Nikolaidis ◽  
Pericles Pilidis ◽  
Suresh Sampath
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Nuclear Reactor ◽  
Reactor Power ◽  
Critical Conditions ◽  
Working Fluid ◽  
Closed Cycle ◽  
Gas Turbine Cycle

Abstract As demands for clean and sustainable energy renew interests in nuclear power to meet future energy demands, generation IV nuclear reactors are seen as having the potential to provide the improvements required for nuclear power generation. However, for their benefits to be fully realized, it is important to explore the performance of the reactors when coupled to different configurations of closed-cycle gas turbine power conversion systems. The configurations provide variation in performance due to different working fluids over a range of operating pressures and temperatures. The objective of this paper is to undertake analyses at the design and off-design conditions in combination with a recuperated closed-cycle gas turbine and comparing the influence of carbon dioxide and nitrogen as the working fluid in the cycle. The analysis is demonstrated using an in-house tool, which was developed by the authors. The results show that the choice of working fluid controls the range of cycle operating pressures, temperatures, and overall performance of the power plant due to the thermodynamic and heat properties of the fluids. The performance results favored the nitrogen working fluid over CO2 due to the behavior CO2 below its critical conditions. The analyses intend to aid the development of cycles for generation IV nuclear power plants (NPPs) specifically gas-cooled fast reactors (GFRs) and very high-temperature reactors (VHTRs).

Performance Analysis of Generation IV Nuclear Reactor Power Plant Using CO2 and N2: Case Study of a Recuperated Brayton Gas Turbine Cycle

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel O. Osigwe ◽  
Arnold Gad-Briggs ◽  
Theoklis Nikolaidis ◽  
Pericles Pilidis ◽  
Suresh Sampath
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Performance Analysis ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Nuclear Reactor ◽  
Reactor Power ◽  
Critical Conditions ◽  
Working Fluid ◽  
Closed Cycle

With renewed interest in nuclear power to meet the world’s future energy demand, the Generation IV nuclear reactors are the next step in the deployment of nuclear power generation. However, for the potentials of these nuclear reactor designs to be fully realized, its suitability, when coupled with different configurations of closed-cycle gas turbine power conversion systems, have to be explored and performance compared for various possible working fluids over a range of operating pressures and temperatures. The purpose of this paper is to carry out performance analysis at the design and off-design conditions for a Generation IV nuclear-powered reactor in combination with a recuperated closed-cycle gas turbine and comparing the influence of carbon dioxide and nitrogen as working fluid in the cycle. This analysis is demonstrated in GTACYSS; a performance and preliminary design code developed by the authors for closed-cycle gas turbine simulations. The results obtained shows that the choice of working fluid controls the range of cycle operating pressures, temperatures and overall performance of the power plant due to the thermodynamic and heat properties of the fluids. The performance results favored the nitrogen working fluid over CO2 due to the behavior CO2 below its critical conditions.

Modeling and Exergy and Exergoeconomic Optimization of a Gas Turbine Power Plant Using a Genetic Algorithm

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soheil Fouladi ◽  
Hamid Saffari
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Algorithm ◽  
Power Plant ◽  
Combustion Chamber ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Exergy Efficiency ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Working Fluid ◽  
Exergy Destruction ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Gas Turbine Power Plant

In this paper, the thermodynamic modelling of a gas turbine power plant in Iran is performed. Also, a computer code has been developed based on Matlab software. Moreover, both exergy and exergoeconomic analysis of this power plant have been conducted. To have a good insight into this study, the effects of key parameters such as compressor pressure ratio, gas turbine inlet temperature (TIT), compressor and turbine isentropic efficiency on the total exergy destruction, total exergy efficiency as well as total cost of exergy destruction have been performed. The modelling results have been compared with an actual running power plant located in Yazd city, Iran. The results of developed code have shown reasonable agreement between the simulation code results and experimental data obtained from power plant. The exergy analysis revealed that the combustion chamber is the must exergy destructor in comparison with other components. Also, its exergy efficiency is less than other components. This is due to the high temperature difference between working fluid and burner temperature. In addition, it was found that by the increase of TIT, the exergy destruction of this component can be reduced. On the other hand, the cost of exergy destruction is high for the combustion chamber. The effects of design parameters on exergy efficiency have shown that increase in the air compressor ratio and TIT, increases the total exergy efficiency of the cycle. Furthermore, the results have revealed that by the increase of TIT by 350°C, the cost of exergy destruction is decreased about 22%. Therefore, TIT is the best option to improve the cycle losses. In addition, an optimization using a genetic algorithm has been conducted to find the optimal solution of the plant.

Design and Operational Challenges of Switching Working Fluid for a Gen IV Nuclear Powered Closed-Cycle Gas Turbine: Case Studies of Nitrogen and Air, Helium and Argon

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel O. Osigwe ◽  
Arnold Gad-Briggs ◽  
Nasiru Tukur ◽  
Pericles Pilidis
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Cycle Performance ◽  
Working Fluid ◽  
Closed Cycle ◽  
Working Fluids ◽  
First Case ◽  
Gen Iv

Abstract A unique benefit of using the closed-cycle gas turbine and gas turbomachines employed in the Gen-IV nuclear power plant is the flexibility it offers in terms of working fluid usage. This is so because of the self-containing nature of the closed-cycle gas turbine. To this end, the selection of the working fluid for the cycle operation is driven by several factors such as the cycle performance, system design, and component material compatibility with fluid properties, availability, and many more. This paper provides an understanding of the design and operational challenges of switching working fluids for a nuclear powered closed-cycle gas turbine. Using the plant output power of a simple closed-cycle configuration as a baseline condition, two case studies have been presented in this paper to explore the design and operational challenges of switching working fluids. In the first case study, the fluid was switched from nitrogen to air and in the second case study, helium and argon were utilised. In both cases, using thermodynamic flow relationship, the closed-cycle gas turbine turbomachinery components maps were analysed to understand the operational requirements for switching the working fluids. The paper also provided an insight into the turbomachinery component design considerations for this to be achieved. The overarching results from a thermodynamic perspective showed fluids with similar thermodynamic behaviour could be switched during idle synchronous speed.

Perspectives for the Liquid Phase Compression Gas Turbine

1967 ◽  
Vol 89 (2) ◽  
pp. 229-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Angelino
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Phase ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Working Fluid ◽  
Closed Cycle ◽  
Working Fluids ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Power Stations ◽  
Compression Cycle ◽  
Working Fluid Selection

The possibility of performing a liquid phase compression in closed cycle gas turbine through the use of particular working fluids is discussed. From the results of calculations carried out for different fluids there is evidence that efficiency of the resulting cycle is considerably higher than that of regenerative Brayton cycles and comparable with that of regenerative Rankine cycles. The working fluid selection is recognized as the major problem in view of practical applications. Available data strongly support the conclusion that fluids meeting the needed requirements, at least for moderate temperature operation, can be found. Nuclear power stations appear to be one of the most promising fields of application of the liquid phase compression cycle.

Heat Exchanger Design Considerations for Gas Turbine HTGR Power Plant

1977 ◽  
Vol 99 (2) ◽  
pp. 237-245 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. F. McDonald ◽  
T. Van Hagan ◽  
K. Vepa
Keyword(s):  
Heat Exchanger ◽  
Power Plant ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Power Conversion ◽  
Structural Safety ◽  
Working Fluid ◽  
Closed Cycle ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Cycle Efficiency

The Gas Turbine High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor (GT-HTGR) power plant combines the existing design HTGR core with a closed-cycle helium gas turbine power conversion system directly in the reactor primary circuit. Unlike open-cycle gas turbines where the recuperative heat exchanger is an optional component, the high cycle efficiency of the nuclear closed-cycle gas turbine is attributable to a high degree to the incorporation of the recuperator (helium-to-helium) and precooler (helium-to-water) exchangers in the power conversion loop. For the integrated plant configuration, a nonintercooled cycle with a high degree of heat recuperation was selected on the basis of performance and economic optimization studies. A recuperator of high effectiveness was chosen because it significantly reduces the optimum pressure ratio (for maximum cycle efficiency), and thus reduces the number of compressor and turbine stages for the low molecular weight, high specific heat, helium working fluid. Heat rejection from the primary system is effected by a helium-to-water precooler, which cools the gas to a low level prior to compression. The fact that the rejection heat is derived from the sensible rather than the latent heat of the cycle working fluid results in dissipation over a wide band of temperature, the high average rejection temperature being advantageous for either direct air cooling or for generation of power in a waste heat cycle. The high heat transfer rates in the recuperator (3100 MWt) and precooler (1895 MWt), combined with the envelope restraints associated with heat exchanger integration in the prestressed concrete reactor vessel, require the use of more compact surface geometries than in contemporary power plant steam generators. Various aspects of surface geometry, flow configuration, mechanical design, fabrication, and integration of the heat exchangers are discussed for a plant in the 1100 MWe class. The influence of cycle parameters on the relative sizes of the recuperator and precooler are also presented. While the preliminary designs included are not meant to represent final solutions, they do embody features that satisfy many of the performance, structural, safety, and economic requirements.

scholarly journals Ammonia Turbomachinery Design Considerations for the Direct Cycle Nuclear Gas Turbine Waste Heat Power Plant

1977 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colin F. McDonald ◽  
Kosla Vepa
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Waste Heat ◽  
Power Conversion ◽  
Working Fluid ◽  
Heat Power ◽  
Closed Cycle ◽  
Design Work ◽  
Design Considerations ◽  
Turbomachinery Design

This paper describes the turbomachinery design considerations for a supercritical Rankine cycle waste heat power conversion system for use with the large helium closed-cycle gas turbine nuclear power plant under development by General Atomic Company. The conceptual designs of the ammonia turbine and pump are presented. The high density working fluid in the ammonia turbine results in small blade heights and high hub-to-tip ratios due to a combination of the properties of ammonia and the high degree of pressurization, particularly at the turbine exit. With the molecular weight of the ammonia working fluid being very similar to steam, the double-flow, multistage axial ammonia turbine bears a strong resemblance to modern steam turbines. Conceptual design work has been done in sufficient detail to support component cost estimates for the balance of plant economic studies. While an extensive design program is needed for the ammonia turbine, existing technology from the power generating and chemical process industries is generally applicable; and, with specialized design attention, the goal of high turbine efficiency should be realizable. The design studies have been specifically directed toward a nuclear closed-cycle helium gas turbine plant (GT-HTGR); however, it is postulated that the turbine design considerations presented could be applicable to other low temperature power conversion systems such as geothermal or industrial waste heat applications.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document