Nuclear Desalination the Small and Peaceful Way

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gulian A. K. Crommelin ◽  
Walter F. Crommelin
Keyword(s):  
Heat Source ◽  
Energy Conversion ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Fresh Water ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Water Production ◽  
Nuclear Heat ◽  
Maintenance Cycle

This study is about a much discussed and recommended application of a nuclear gas turbine and was undertaken at the request of many visitors to the Nuclear Gas Turbine stand at the ASME IGTI 2002 in Amsterdam. Apparently, the specifications of the NEREUS plant led their thoughts to small-scale energy production combined with fresh water production. This thought fits well into the basic idea that: Energy equals Electricity, Heat and Fresh Water. The NEREUS project is a non-profit organisation seeking to expand the use of Small Scale Nuclear Power Generation. This paper discusses the possibilities to produce fresh water with a NEREUS inherently safe nuclear power plant. The acronym NEREUS describes very well the goals of this project and stands for: A Natural safe, Efficient, Reactor, Easy to operate, Ultimately simple and Small. Fresh water can be produced using any fossil fuelled energy conversion unit, but this study works out how the advantages of a gas turbine in combination with an inherently safe and well-proven nuclear heat source combines the advantages of a gas turbine with the logistic advantages of nuclear power. The paper starts with an introduction on why the energy conversion branch should pay more attention to fresh water production. Secondly the paper gives an overview of the main characteristics of the nuclear heat source. Thirdly the paper briefly explains the most common methods used for fresh water produced. Finally the paper will discuss the conclusion of this study, which was: The ENERGY demand of 27648 people can be fully and affordably satisfied in both quantity and quality, with a well-proven, inherently safe, self controlling nuclear pebble-bed 20 MWth reactor. Such a reactor is suitable for unmanned operation with a three year refuelling and maintenance cycle, and with the dimensions of 10 × 10 × 10 meters.

Inherently Safe Nuclear Power Generation With Electrically Coupled Compressor and Turbo Expander(s)

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gulian A. K. Crommelin ◽  
Walter F. Crommelin
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Heat Source ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Nuclear Power Generation ◽  
Small Current ◽  
Nuclear Heat ◽  
Open Cycle

Gas turbines in combination with a nuclear heat source have been subject for study for some years. This paper is a logical follow up on previous papers regarding small scale nuclear power generation using gas turbines with a well-proven, inherently safe nuclear heat source. In the Netherlands the NEREUS project has been working on this concept since 1993. The acronym NEREUS describes very well the goals of this project. (Ref 1, 2, 3, 4, 5). NEREUS stands for: a Natural safe, Efficient, Reactor, Easy to operate, Ultimately simple and Small. Current studies focus on the gas turbine part of the installation. After three years of studying the possibilities of the closed cycle helium gas turbine, the NEREUS project returned in 2000 to its original thought of using an existing open-cycle gas turbine or components of such an engine, as energy conversion unit. The paper starts with an introduction on why nuclear power should get more attention, basically explaining “the reasons why” of the NEREUS project. Secondly the paper gives an overview of the main characteristics of the nuclear heat source. Thirdly the paper will discuss the current study to determine the specifications of an open-cycle gas turbine for the NEREUS installation. Attention is given to the way such an open-cycle gas turbine can be controlled. The nuclear heat source is controlled by the laws of physics and it is not recommended to intervene under any circumstances with this very important safety feature.

Small-Scale Well-Proven Inherently Safe Nuclear Power Conversion

2004 ◽  
Vol 126 (2) ◽  
pp. 329-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. A. K. Crommelin
Keyword(s):  
Heat Source ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Conversion ◽  
Combined Heat And Power ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Nuclear Heat ◽  
Intermediate Heat Exchanger ◽  
The Moment

Over the last few years a number of papers have discussed the progress on studies and thoughts on small-scale nuclear power, especially nuclear power conversion systems aiming at the nonutility markets, such as the stand-alone heat generation, combined heat and power production, stand-alone electricity conversion, and ship propulsion. The design of these installations must fully comply with the philosophies as are common in these markets, where the expression “the engine is a means to an end” applies. So design to cost, design to be operated by non professional energy producers, to be managed by a pool-management system, maintained, repaired and overhauled by replacement, etc. The paper will discuss such a design. So far all papers mentioned have discussed the gas turbine directly coupled to the heat source. However, the helium turbine is considered quite a challenge for the gas turbine industry, so alternatives had to be found. At the moment the possibilities of gas turbines with an indirect heat source (to burn refuse, wood, refinery waste, etc.) are getting much more attention. The paper therefore will discuss how an inherently safe, well proven, nuclear heat source can be coupled by an intermediate heat exchanger to a recuperative, existing but adapted gas turbine.

Small-Scale Well-Proven Inherently Safe Nuclear Power Conversion

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. A. K. Crommelin
Keyword(s):  
Heat Source ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Conversion ◽  
Power Production ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Nuclear Heat ◽  
Intermediate Heat Exchanger ◽  
The Moment

Over the last few years a number of papers have discussed the progress on studies and thoughts on small-scale nuclear power. Nuclear power conversion systems aiming for the t of the non-utility markets, such as the stand-alone heat generation, Combined Heat & Power production, stand-alone electricity conversion and ship propulsion. The design of these installations must fully comply with the philosophies as are common in these markets, where the expression “the engine is a means to an end” applies. So design to cost, design to be operated by non professional energy producers, to be managed by a pool-management system, maintained, repaired and overhauled by replacement, etc. The paper will discuss such a design. So far all papers mentioned have discussed the gas turbine directly coupled to the heat source. However the helium turbine is considered quite a challenge for the gas turbine industry, so alternatives had to be found. At the moment the possibilities of gas turbines with an indirect heat source (to burn refuse, wood, refinery waste, etc.) are getting much more attention. The paper therefore will discuss how an inherently safe, well proven, nuclear heat source can be coupled by an Intermediate Heat Exchanger to a recuperative, existing but adapted gas turbine.

A Nuclear Gas Turbine as Propulsion Unit for a Merchantman

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gulian A. K. Crommelin ◽  
Walter F. Crommelin
Keyword(s):  
Heat Source ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Nuclear Energy ◽  
Nuclear Plant ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Nuclear Heat ◽  
Energy Plant ◽  
Nuclear Propulsion ◽  
Logistic Support ◽  
Propulsion Unit

The paper will discuss a study reflecting the changes in design and exploitation of an existing standard merchantman when the existing diesel propulsion plant is replaced by a gas turbine using a well-proven and inherently safe nuclear heat source. Subjects which will be discussed are: 1. why this study was done, 2. the NEREUS propulsion installation which is considered for this “replacement”, 3. the nuclear part and the non-nuclear part of the NEREUS installation, 4a. safety matters regarding the small-scale nuclear plant, 4b. safety matters regarding the nuclear propulsion plant (the maritime version), 5. fuel availability, 6. place of the nuclear propulsion plant in the ship in view of the weight, 7. required and no longer required auxiliary installations for the nuclear energy plant, 8. restrictions for ship operations, 9. manoeuvring, exploitation and manning of the ship, 10. logistic support of the installation.

Nuclear Gas Turbines: Small-Scale Inherently Safe, Well-Proven Nuclear Power

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. van Dam ◽  
T. H. J. J. van der Hagen
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Energy Conversion ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Heat Production ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Combined Heat And Power ◽  
Electricity Production ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Prime Mover

The paper discusses uranium as a new fuel for gas turbines used as energy conversion installations for the markets of: stand-alone heat production, combined heat and power generation, stand-alone electricity production and as prime mover on board ships. This development is a logical step in a historical trend in energy conversion. The paper discusses the availability of the fuel, uranium and the construction of the fuel which makes this combination of gas turbine and uranium suitable for the non-utility markets.

Substantiation of the parameters and layout solutions for an energy conversion unit with a gas-turbine cycle in a nuclear power plant with HTGR

Atomic Energy ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 98 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. V. Vasyaev ◽  
V. F. Golovko ◽  
I. V. Dmitrieva ◽  
N. G. Kodochigov ◽  
N. G. Kuzavkov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power Plant ◽  
Energy Conversion ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Conversion Unit ◽  
Gas Turbine Cycle

Modeling and Analysis of Power Conversion System for High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor With Cogeneration

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Afrazeh ◽  
Hiwa Khaledi ◽  
Mohammad Bagher Ghofrani
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Heat Source ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Power Conversion ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Working Fluid ◽  
Closed Cycle ◽  
Nuclear Heat ◽  
Conversion System ◽  
High Temperature Gas

A gas turbine in combination with a nuclear heat source has been subject of study for some years. This paper describes the advantages of a gas turbine combined with an inherently safe and well-proven nuclear heat source. The design of the power conversion system is based on a regenerative, non-intercooled, closed, direct Brayton cycle with high temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR), as heat source and helium gas as the working fluid. The plant produces electricity and hot water for district heating (DH). Variation of specific heat, enthalpy and entropy of working fluid with pressure and temperature are included in this model. Advanced blade cooling technology is used in order to allow for a high turbine inlet temperature. The paper starts with an overview of the main characteristics of the nuclear heat source, Then presents a study to determine the specifications of a closed-cycle gas turbine for the HTGR installation. Attention is given to the way such a closed-cycle gas turbine can be modeled. Subsequently the sensitivity of the efficiency to several design choices is investigated. This model is developed in Fortran.

Externally Fired Micro Gas Turbine and ORC Bottoming Cycle: Optimal Biomass/Natural Gas CHP Configuration for Residential Energy Demand

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio Mario Camporeale ◽  
Patrizia Domenica Ciliberti ◽  
Bernardo Fortunato ◽  
Marco Torresi ◽  
Antonio Marco Pantaleo
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Natural Gas ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Rankine Cycle ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Residential Energy ◽  
Micro Gas Turbine ◽  
Residential Energy Demand ◽  
Heat Demand

Small scale Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plants present lower electric efficiency in comparison to large scale ones, and this is particularly true when biomass fuels are used. In most cases, the use of both heat and electricity to serve on site energy demand is a key issue to achieve acceptable global energy efficiency and investment profitability. However, the heat demand follows a typical daily and seasonal pattern and is influenced by climatic conditions, in particular in the case of residential and tertiary end users. During low heat demand periods, a lot of heat produced by the CHP plant is discharged. In order to increase the electric conversion efficiency of small scale micro turbine for heat and power cogeneration, a bottoming ORC system can be coupled to the cycle, however this option reduces the temperature and quantity of cogenerated heat available to the load. In this perspective, the paper presents the results of a thermo-economic analysis of small scale CHP plants composed by a micro gas turbine (MGT) and a bottoming Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC), serving a typical residential energy demand. For the topping cycle three different configurations are examined: 1) a simple recuperative micro gas turbine fuelled by natural gas (NG), 2) a dual fuel EFGT cycle, fuelled by biomass and natural gas (50% energy input) (DF) and 3) an externally fired gas turbine (EFGT) with direct combustion of biomass (B). The bottoming cycle is a simple saturated Rankine cycle with regeneration and no superheating. The ORC cycle and the fluid selection are optimized on the basis of the available exhaust gas temperature at the turbine exit. The research assesses the influence of the thermal energy demand typology (residential demand with cold, mild and hot climate conditions) and CHP plant operational strategies (baseload vs heat driven vs electricity driven operation mode) on the global energy efficiency and profitability of the following three configurations: A) MGT with cogeneration; B) MGT+ ORC without cogeneration; C) MGT+ORC with cogeneration. In all cases, a back-up boiler is assumed to match the heat demand of the load (fed by natural gas or biomass). The research explores the profitability of bottoming ORC in view of the following tradeoffs: (i) lower energy conversion efficiency and higher investment cost of high biomass input rate with respect to natural gas; (ii) higher efficiency but higher costs and reduced heat available for cogeneration in the bottoming ORC; (ii) higher primary energy savings and revenues from feed-in tariff available for biomass electricity fed into the grid.

scholarly journals Gas Turbine Power Plant Possibilities With a Nuclear Heat Source: Closed and Open Cycles

1990 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colin F. McDonald
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Power Plant ◽  
Heat Source ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Combined Cycle ◽  
Closed Cycle ◽  
Cycle System ◽  
Nuclear Heat ◽  
High Temperature Gas

With the capability of burning a variety of fossil fuels, giving high thermal efficiency, and operating with low emissions, the gas turbine is becoming a major prime-mover for a wide spectrum of applications. Almost three decades ago two experimental projects were undertaken in which gas turbines were actually operated with heat from nuclear reactors. In retrospect, these systems were ahead of their time in terms of technology readiness, and prospects of the practical coupling of a gas turbine with a nuclear heat source towards the realization of a high efficiency, pollutant free, dry-cooled power plant has remained a long-term goal, which has been periodically studied in the last twenty years. Technology advancements in both high temperature gas-cooled reactors, and gas turbines now make the concept of a nuclear gas turbine plant realizable. Two possible plant concepts are highlighted in this paper, (1) a direct cycle system involving the integration of a closed-cycle helium gas turbine with a modular high temperature gas cooled reactor (MHTGR), and (2) the utilization of a conventional and proven combined cycle gas turbine, again with the MHTGR, but now involving the use of secondary (helium) and tertiary (air) loops. The open cycle system is more equipment intensive and places demanding requirements on the very high temperature heat exchangers, but has the merit of being able to utilize a conventional combined cycle turbo-generator set. In this paper both power plant concepts are put into perspective in terms of categorizing the most suitable applications, highlighting their major features and characteristics, and identifying the technology requirements. The author would like to dedicate this paper to the late Professor Karl Bammert who actively supported deployment of the closed-cycle gas turbine for several decades with a variety of heat sources including fossil, solar, and nuclear systems.

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.

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