Multiple-Reheat Brayton Cycles for Nuclear Power Conversion with Molten Coolants

Journal Article · Mon Dec 15 04:00:00 EST 2003 · Nuclear Technology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.13182/NT144-279· OSTI ID:20837813

Peterson, Per F ^[1]

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1. University of California (United States)

Gas-turbine power conversion systems can have lower capital costs than comparable steam-turbine systems due to their higher power density. The recent commercialization of magnetic bearing systems for large turbomachinery now makes direct recuperated Brayton cycles the preferred power conversion choice for gas-cooled reactors. This paper presents a multiple-reheat closed gas cycle optimized to use energy input from liquid-metal or molten-salt coolants with temperatures as low as 550 to 650 deg. C. By utilizing reheat, these molten coolant gas cycles (MCGCs) have the potential for substantially higher thermal efficiency than current gas-cooled reactors if used with comparable turbine inlet temperatures. The MCGC system also eliminates the need for steam generators, which removes the potential for chemical reactions between the molten coolant and steam, and greatly simplifies the control of tritium for fusion energy systems.

• OSTI ID: 20837813
• Journal Information: Nuclear Technology, Journal Name: Nuclear Technology Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 144; ISSN 0029-5450; ISSN NUTYBB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
BRAYTON CYCLE
CAPITALIZED COST
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMMERCIALIZATION
COOLANTS
ENERGY CONVERSION
GAS COOLED REACTORS
GAS TURBINES
LIQUID METALS
MAGNETIC BEARINGS
MOLTEN SALTS
NUCLEAR POWER
POWER DENSITY
STEAM
STEAM GENERATORS
STEAM TURBINES
THERMAL EFFICIENCY
THERMONUCLEAR REACTORS
TRITIUM