Potassium topping cycle for public utility power plants
A potassium topping cycle power plant proposed for utility power is an excellent example of the effective use of prior space program development efforts. During the 1960's the government sponsored the development of nuclear-powered Rankine cycle systems for the generation of power in space. Over 10,000 hours of potassium vapor turbine operation were accumulated in superalloy systems operating in an air environment. Much additional effort and supporting technology were developed in areas which were required to support the development of metal vapor turbine space power systems. It has been suggested that this technology be used to increase the operating temperature and, thus, the thermal efficiency of utility power plants. A recent study of such systems indicates electric power can be generated at higher efficiency with controlled thermal and air pollution and with considerable conservation in coal and water resources.
- OSTI ID:
- 7267937
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
200102* -- Fossil-Fueled Power Plants-- Power Cycles
42 ENGINEERING
425002 -- Engineering-- Power Cycles-- Rankine-- (1980-)
ALKALI METALS
EFFICIENCY
ELEMENTS
ENERGY CONSERVATION
METALS
PERFORMANCE
POTASSIUM
POWER PLANTS
PUBLIC UTILITIES
RANKINE CYCLE
THERMAL EFFICIENCY
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
THERMODYNAMIC CYCLES
TOPPING CYCLES