A nuclear power generation system and a nuclear power plant

Abstract

The embodiment of the present invention relates to the technical field of nuclear power systems, and provides a nuclear power generation system and a nuclear power device. The nuclear power generation system includes a reactor, a hydrogen production reactor and a fuel cell; the reactor is connected to the hydrogen production reactor through a cooling medium circulation pipeline, and a circulation pump is installed on the cooling medium circulation pipeline, so that a cooling medium closed circulation system is formed between the reactor and the hydrogen production reactor; the hydrogen output end of the hydrogen production reactor is connected to the hydrogen inlet of the fuel cell, the oxygen output end of the hydrogen production reactor is connected to the oxygen inlet of the fuel cell, and the power supply terminal of the fuel cell is used to be electrically connected to the input end of the power consumption mechanism. The nuclear power generation system provided by the embodiment of the present invention changes the traditional energy conversion form of nuclear energy to mechanical energy, cancels the main noise source equipment such as steam turbine units or steam turbine generator units, reduces the operating noise of the nuclear power system, and improves the quietness and comfort of nuclear-powered ships.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present invention relate to the technical field of nuclear power systems, and in particular to a nuclear power generation system and a nuclear power plant. Background Art

[0002] The nuclear power system has many advantages such as high power density, long endurance, and strong self-sustaining ability. It is an ideal power form for various large ships.

[0003] The current nuclear power system of ships mainly converts nuclear energy into mechanical energy by supplying the heat energy generated by nuclear fission to the steam generator, using the steam heat energy generated by the steam generator to drive the steam turbine unit to do work, and the steam turbine unit drives the propeller to rotate, thereby realizing the conversion of nuclear energy into mechanical energy. Alternatively, the steam heat energy is used to drive the steam turbine generator unit to generate electricity, and then the electric energy is supplied to the propulsion motor, which drives the propeller to rotate, thereby realizing the conversion of nuclear energy into mechanical energy, thereby propelling the ship forward. However, as the main equipment in the energy conversion process of the current nuclear power system, the steam turbine unit or steam turbine generator unit often generates strong vibration noise during operation, which cannot meet the quietness and comfort requirements of large ships. Summary of the invention

[0004] The embodiment of the present invention provides a nuclear power generation system to solve the problem that the nuclear power system of a large ship in the prior art generates strong vibration noise during operation and cannot meet the requirements of quietness and comfort of the ship.

[0005] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a nuclear power generation system, including a reactor, a hydrogen production reactor and a fuel cell;

[0006] The reactor is connected to the hydrogen production reactor via a cooling medium circulation pipeline, and a circulation pump is installed on the cooling medium circulation pipeline, so that a cooling medium closed circulation system is formed between the reactor and the hydrogen production reactor;

[0007] The hydrogen output end of the hydrogen production reactor is connected to the hydrogen inlet of the fuel cell, and the oxygen output end of the hydrogen production reactor is connected to the oxygen inlet of the fuel cell.

[0008] Wherein, the hydrogen production reactor is provided with a water inlet, the fuel cell is provided with a water outlet, and a water pump is installed on the connecting pipeline between the water inlet and the water outlet.

[0009] The nuclear power generation system provided by an embodiment of the present invention also includes a water tank, which is installed on the connecting pipeline between the water inlet and the water outlet. There are two water pumps, one water pump is located between the water tank and the water outlet, and the other water pump is located between the water tank and the water inlet. A regulating valve is also installed on the connecting pipeline between the water tank and the hydrogen production reactor.

[0010] The nuclear power generation system provided by an embodiment of the present invention also includes an intermediate heat exchanger, which is connected to the reactor through a first cooling medium circulation pipeline to form a first cooling medium closed circulation passage, and the intermediate heat exchanger is connected to the hydrogen production reactor through a second cooling medium circulation pipeline to form a second cooling medium closed circulation passage; a first circulation pump is installed on the first cooling medium circulation pipeline, and a second circulation pump is installed on the second cooling medium circulation pipeline.

[0011] The nuclear power generation system provided in the embodiment of the present invention further includes a battery pack, and the power supply terminal of the fuel cell is electrically connected to the input end of the battery pack.

[0012] Wherein, a hydrogen storage device is installed on the connecting pipeline between the hydrogen output end and the hydrogen inlet, and an oxygen storage device is installed on the connecting pipeline between the oxygen output end and the oxygen inlet.

[0013] Wherein, a first regulating valve is arranged on the connecting pipeline between the hydrogen storage device and the hydrogen inlet, and a second regulating valve is arranged on the connecting pipeline between the oxygen storage device and the oxygen inlet.

[0014] Wherein, a hydrogen compressor is installed on the connecting pipeline between the hydrogen output end and the hydrogen storage device, and an oxygen compressor is installed on the connecting pipeline between the oxygen output end and the oxygen storage device.

[0015] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a nuclear power plant, comprising a power-consuming mechanism and the nuclear power generation system as described in the first aspect above, wherein the power supply terminal of the fuel cell is electrically connected to the input end of the power-consuming mechanism.

[0016] Among them, the power-consuming mechanism includes a propulsion motor and a propeller connected to the propulsion motor, and the power supply terminal is electrically connected to the propulsion motor; or, the power-consuming mechanism is an integrated motor propeller, and the power supply terminal is electrically connected to the integrated motor propeller.

[0017] The nuclear power generation system provided in the embodiment of the present invention changes the traditional energy conversion form of nuclear energy to mechanical energy by replacing the steam generator and steam turbine unit or steam turbine generator unit in the traditional nuclear power system with a hydrogen production reactor and a fuel cell, using the thermal energy generated by the reactor to produce hydrogen and using the fuel cell to generate electricity, thereby eliminating the main noise source equipment such as the steam turbine unit or steam turbine generator unit, greatly reducing the operating noise of the nuclear power system, and improving the quietness and comfort of nuclear-powered ships. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a nuclear power plant according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 The figure is a schematic structural diagram of a nuclear power plant according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] In the figure: 1. Reactor; 2. Hydrogen production reactor; 21. Hydrogen output terminal; 22. Oxygen output terminal; 23. Water inlet; 3. Fuel cell; 31. Hydrogen inlet; 32. Oxygen inlet; 33. Power supply terminal; 34. Water outlet; 41. Propulsion motor; 42. Drive shaft; 43. Propeller; 44. Integrated motor propeller; 51. Water storage tank; 52. First water pump; 53. Second water pump; 54. Regulating valve; 55. Check valve; 6. Intermediate heat exchanger; 61. First circulation pump; 62. Second circulation pump; 7. Battery pack; 81. Hydrogen storage; 82. Oxygen storage; 83. First regulating valve; 84. Second regulating valve; 85. Hydrogen compressor; 86. Oxygen compressor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solution in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0023] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "first" and "second" are used to clearly illustrate the numbering of product components and do not represent any substantial difference. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the embodiments of the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0024] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or it can be the internal communication of two components. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0025] like Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a nuclear power plant according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 As shown, the nuclear power generation system includes a reactor 1, a hydrogen production reactor 2 and a fuel cell 3. The reactor 1 is connected to the hydrogen production reactor 2 through a cooling medium circulation pipeline, and a circulation pump is installed on the cooling medium circulation pipeline, so that a cooling medium closed circulation system is formed between the reactor 1 and the hydrogen production reactor 2. The energy generated by nuclear fission inside the reactor 1 heats the cooling medium inside it, and the cooling medium enters the hydrogen production reactor 2 under the drive of the circulation pump to provide heat for the hydrogen production reactor 2 to produce hydrogen, and the hydrogen production reactor 2 uses the internal thermochemical conversion principle to catalytically decompose water into hydrogen and oxygen.

[0026] The hydrogen and oxygen produced by the hydrogen production reactor 2 are respectively transported to the fuel cell 3 through pipelines. Specifically, the hydrogen output end 21 of the hydrogen production reactor 2 is connected to the hydrogen inlet 31 of the fuel cell 3, and the oxygen output end 22 of the hydrogen production reactor 2 is connected to the oxygen inlet 32 ​​of the fuel cell 3. Hydrogen and oxygen undergo a chemical reaction inside the fuel cell 3 to generate electrical energy. The power supply terminal 33 of the fuel cell 3 is electrically connected to the input end of the power-consuming mechanism, and the electrical energy is supplied to the power-consuming mechanism through the power supply terminal 33.

[0027] Among them, the reactor 1 is a high temperature reactor type such as a high temperature gas-cooled reactor, a molten salt reactor, a lead-cooled fast reactor, etc., which can provide a high temperature of 750 to 1000°C to meet the thermochemical hydrogen production needs of the hydrogen production reactor 2. The cooling medium is a coolant applied to the reactor, which can be a gas coolant or a liquid coolant. Taking the reactor 1 as a high temperature gas-cooled reactor as an example, the cooling medium is carbon dioxide or helium. The power consumption mechanism can be a propulsion motor or an integrated motor propulsion device, or any other equipment that requires electricity.

[0028] The nuclear power generation system provided in the embodiment of the present invention changes the traditional energy conversion form of nuclear energy to mechanical energy by replacing the steam generator and steam turbine unit or steam turbine generator unit in the traditional nuclear power system with a hydrogen production reactor and a fuel cell, using the thermal energy generated by the reactor to produce hydrogen and using the fuel cell to generate electricity, thereby eliminating the main noise source equipment such as the steam turbine unit or steam turbine generator unit, greatly reducing the operating noise of the nuclear power system, and improving the quietness and comfort of nuclear-powered ships.

[0029] In the embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1 As shown, the hydrogen production reactor 2 is provided with a water inlet 23, the fuel cell 3 is provided with a water outlet 34, a water pump is installed on the connecting pipeline between the water inlet 23 and the water outlet 34, and the output end of the water pump is connected to the hydrogen production reactor 2. Water generated by hydrogen and oxygen under the action of the electrolyte in the fuel cell 3 is discharged from the water outlet 34 of the fuel cell 3, and flows back into the hydrogen production reactor 2 under the action of the water pump, forming a closed material cycle, so that water can be repeatedly recycled without replenishing the working medium.

[0030] The nuclear power generation system provided in the embodiment of the present invention further includes a water storage tank 51, such as Figure 1 As shown, the water tank 51 is installed on the connecting pipeline between the water inlet 23 and the water outlet 34. There are two water pumps on the connecting pipeline between the water inlet 23 and the water outlet 34, namely the first water pump 52 and the second water pump 53. The first water pump 52 is located between the water tank 51 and the water outlet 34, and is used to pump the water discharged from the fuel cell 3 to the water tank 51 for temporary storage. The second water pump 53 is located between the water tank 51 and the water inlet 23, and is used to pump the water in the water tank 51 into the hydrogen production reactor 2 for hydrogen production. A regulating valve 54 is also installed on the connecting pipeline between the second water pump 53 and the water inlet 23. When the power-consuming mechanism needs to reduce power quickly, for example, the power-consuming mechanism is an integrated motor propeller on a ship, when the ship needs to slow down immediately, the nuclear power generation system needs to respond quickly, that is, reduce the amount of hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production reactor 2. At this time, the amount of water produced by the fuel cell 3 cannot be reduced to the current demand of the hydrogen production reactor 2 in a short time. At this time, the water discharged from the fuel cell 3 is stored in the water storage tank 51, and then the water flow entering the hydrogen production reactor 2 is adjusted by the regulating valve 54 to improve the response speed of the nuclear power generation system under variable operating conditions and improve the maneuverability of the nuclear power generation system under variable operating conditions.

[0031] The liquid level in the water tank 51 is not higher than the water outlet height of the fuel cell 3, so as to prevent the first water pump 52 from stopping when the fuel cell 3 stops working, and the water in the water tank 51 flows back into the fuel cell 3 under the action of the liquid level. When used in a ship nuclear power system, due to the limitation of the installation space on the ship, a check valve 55 can be installed on the connecting pipeline between the water tank 51 and the fuel cell 3 to prevent the water in the water tank 51 from flowing back into the fuel cell 3.

[0032] In order to ensure the quality of water flowing back into the hydrogen production reactor 2 , the water storage tank 51 is connected to a water quality treatment mechanism, and after the water quality treatment is completed, the water is sent into the hydrogen production reactor 2 by a second water pump.

[0033] like Figure 1As shown, in the embodiment of the present invention, a hydrogen storage device 81 is installed on the connecting pipeline between the hydrogen output end 21 of the hydrogen production reactor 2 and the hydrogen inlet 31 of the fuel cell 3, and an oxygen storage device 82 is installed on the connecting pipeline between the oxygen output end 22 and the oxygen inlet 32 ​​of the fuel cell 3. When the power-consuming mechanism is not using electricity or the fuel cell 3 is shut down, the hydrogen production reactor 2 can still be used to continue to produce hydrogen and oxygen, and the produced hydrogen and oxygen are stored in the hydrogen storage device 81 and the oxygen storage device 82 respectively, and when needed, for example, when the reactor 1 is unexpectedly shut down, the fuel cell 3 is maintained to generate electricity for a period of time.

[0034] Furthermore, a first regulating valve 83 is provided on the connecting pipeline between the hydrogen storage 81 and the hydrogen inlet 31 of the fuel cell 3, and a second regulating valve 84 is provided on the connecting pipeline between the oxygen storage 82 and the oxygen inlet 32 ​​of the fuel cell 3. The first regulating valve 83 is used to adjust the amount of hydrogen delivered from the hydrogen storage 81 to the hydrogen inlet 31 of the fuel cell 3, and the second regulating valve 84 is used to adjust the amount of oxygen delivered from the oxygen storage 82 to the oxygen inlet 32 ​​of the fuel cell 3. The first regulating valve 83 and the second regulating valve 84 are adjusted according to the power output requirements of the power consumption mechanism and the chemical reaction ratio required by the hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell. When the power consumption mechanism needs to increase the power quickly, the first regulating valve 83 and the second regulating valve 84 can also be used to quickly increase the hydrogen supply rate and the oxygen supply rate, so as to improve the response speed of the nuclear power generation system under the variable working condition and improve the mobility of the nuclear power generation system under the variable working condition.

[0035] Furthermore, a hydrogen compressor 85 is installed on the connecting pipeline between the hydrogen output end 21 and the hydrogen storage 81, and an oxygen compressor 86 is installed on the connecting pipeline between the oxygen output end 22 and the oxygen storage 82. The hydrogen storage 81 is used to store liquid hydrogen, and the oxygen storage 82 is used to store liquid oxygen, so that the hydrogen storage 81 and the oxygen storage 82 can store more hydrogen and oxygen, so as to store more backup fuel.

[0036] Since there are radioactive substances in the cooling medium of the reactor 1, if the cooling medium circulation pipeline in the hydrogen production reactor 2 leaks, the hydrogen and oxygen outputted therefrom will contain radioactive substances, causing great harm to human life and safety. To avoid this situation, the nuclear power generation system provided in the embodiment of the present invention further includes an intermediate heat exchanger 6, such as Figure 1 As shown, the intermediate heat exchanger 6 is connected to the reactor 1 through the first cooling medium circulation pipeline to form a first cooling medium closed circulation passage, and the intermediate heat exchanger 6 is connected to the hydrogen production reactor 2 through the second cooling medium circulation pipeline to form a second cooling medium closed circulation passage. A first circulation pump 61 is installed on the first cooling medium circulation pipeline, and a second circulation pump 62 is installed on the second cooling medium circulation pipeline.

[0037] Specifically, the intermediate heat exchanger 6 is equipped with a first cooling medium circulation pipeline and a second cooling medium circulation pipeline, and the first cooling medium circulation pipeline and the second cooling medium circulation pipeline are in contact through a heat-conducting material to achieve heat exchange between the first cooling medium and the second cooling medium. The energy generated by nuclear fission inside the reactor 1 heats the first cooling medium inside it, and the first cooling medium enters the first cooling medium circulation pipeline in the intermediate heat exchanger 6 under the drive of the first circulation pump, heats the second cooling medium in the second cooling medium circulation pipeline, and the second cooling medium enters the hydrogen production reactor 2 under the drive of the second circulation pump to provide heat for the hydrogen production reactor 2 to produce hydrogen. Under this structure, even if the first cooling medium circulation pipeline in the intermediate heat exchanger 6 leaks, nuclear radiation substances will not enter the hydrogen production reactor 2, thereby ensuring that the hydrogen and oxygen produced by the hydrogen production reactor 2 do not carry nuclear radiation substances, thereby improving the safety of the nuclear power generation system. Further, the intermediate heat exchanger 6 is located inside the reactor compartment of the reactor 1 to ensure that nuclear radiation substances are isolated inside the reactor compartment.

[0038] The first cooling medium is a coolant used in the reactor, which can be a gas coolant or a liquid coolant. Taking the reactor 1 as a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor as an example, the first cooling medium is carbon dioxide or helium. The second cooling medium can be the same as the first cooling medium or different, such as carbon dioxide, helium, water, liquid metal, supercritical fluid, and other high-temperature circulating working fluids.

[0039] Furthermore, a shutoff valve is installed on the connecting pipeline from the reactor 1 to the intermediate heat exchanger 6, which is used to close or open the closed circulation path of the first cooling medium when hydrogen production is stopped or when a system failure occurs and maintenance is required. A check valve is installed on the connecting pipeline from the intermediate heat exchanger 6 to the reactor 1, which is used to prevent the first cooling medium in the reactor 1 from flowing back into the intermediate heat exchanger 6. A shutoff valve is installed on the connecting pipeline from the intermediate heat exchanger 6 to the hydrogen production reactor 2, which is used to close or open the closed circulation path of the second cooling medium.

[0040] The nuclear power generation system provided in the embodiment of the present invention further includes a battery pack 7, such as Figure 1 As shown, the power supply terminal 33 of the fuel cell 3 is electrically connected to the input end of the battery pack 7. The output end of the battery pack 7 is used to be electrically connected to the input end of the power-consuming mechanism. When the electric energy generated by the fuel cell 3 exceeds the actual need of the power-consuming mechanism, the excess electric energy can be stored in the battery pack 7, or when the power-consuming mechanism does not need electricity, a certain amount of electric energy can be stored through the battery pack 7, and the power can be output through the battery pack 7 when needed. For example, when a nuclear power generation system fails, such as when the reactor 1 is unexpectedly shut down, or when the system is under maintenance, the battery pack 7 can be used as a backup power supply to ensure normal power supply to the power-consuming mechanism.

[0041] The embodiment of the present invention further provides a nuclear power plant, which includes an electric mechanism and the nuclear power generation system as described in the above embodiment, wherein the power supply terminal 33 of the fuel cell 3 is electrically connected to the input end of the electric mechanism. When there is a battery pack 7, the output end of the battery pack 7 is also electrically connected to the input end of the electric mechanism.

[0042] When the nuclear power plant is used on a ship, Figure 1 As shown, the power mechanism includes a propulsion motor 41 and a propeller 43 connected to the propulsion motor 41, the power supply terminal 33 or the output end of the battery pack 7 is electrically connected to the input end of the propulsion motor 41, the power output end of the propulsion motor 41 is connected to the transmission shaft 42, and the transmission shaft 42 is connected to the input end of the propeller 43, thereby driving the propeller 43 blades to rotate to propel the ship forward. Or, as Figure 2 The figure shows a schematic diagram of the structure of a nuclear power plant according to another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the power-consuming mechanism is an integrated motor propeller 44, and the power supply terminal 33 is electrically connected to the integrated motor propeller 44. The integrated motor propeller 44 uses a rim drive motor to directly convert the power provided by the fuel cell 3 or the battery pack 7 into mechanical energy for driving the propeller blades to rotate, thereby simplifying the system structure and reducing the vibration and noise source.

[0043] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some of the technical features therein. However, these modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A nuclear power generation system, comprising a reactor, characterized in that: It also includes hydrogen production reactors and fuel cells; The reactor is connected to the hydrogen production reactor via a cooling medium circulation pipeline, and a circulation pump is installed on the cooling medium circulation pipeline, so that a cooling medium closed circulation system is formed between the reactor and the hydrogen production reactor; The hydrogen output end of the hydrogen production reactor is connected to the hydrogen inlet of the fuel cell, and the oxygen output end of the hydrogen production reactor is connected to the oxygen inlet of the fuel cell; The hydrogen production reactor is provided with a water inlet, the fuel cell is provided with a water outlet, a water pump is installed on the connecting pipeline between the water inlet and the water outlet, and also includes a water storage tank, the water storage tank is installed on the connecting pipeline between the water inlet and the water outlet, there are two water pumps, one water pump is located between the water storage tank and the water outlet, and the other water pump is located between the water storage tank and the water inlet, and a regulating valve is also installed on the connecting pipeline between the water storage tank and the hydrogen production reactor; It also includes an intermediate heat exchanger, the intermediate heat exchanger is connected to the reactor through a first cooling medium circulation pipeline to form a first cooling medium closed circulation passage, the intermediate heat exchanger is connected to the hydrogen production reactor through a second cooling medium circulation pipeline to form a second cooling medium closed circulation passage; a first circulation pump is installed on the first cooling medium circulation pipeline, and a second circulation pump is installed on the second cooling medium circulation pipeline; A hydrogen storage device is installed on the connecting pipeline between the hydrogen output end and the hydrogen inlet, an oxygen storage device is installed on the connecting pipeline between the oxygen output end and the oxygen inlet, a first regulating valve is provided on the connecting pipeline between the hydrogen storage device and the hydrogen inlet, and a second regulating valve is provided on the connecting pipeline between the oxygen storage device and the oxygen inlet.

2. The nuclear power generation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: A battery pack is also included, and the power supply terminal of the fuel cell is electrically connected to the input end of the battery pack.

3. The nuclear power generation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: A hydrogen compressor is installed on the connecting pipeline between the hydrogen output end and the hydrogen storage device, and an oxygen compressor is installed on the connecting pipeline between the oxygen output end and the oxygen storage device.

4. A nuclear power plant, characterized in that: It comprises an electric power consumption mechanism and the nuclear power generation system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the power supply terminal of the fuel cell is electrically connected to the input terminal of the electric power consumption mechanism.

5. The nuclear power plant according to claim 4, characterized in that: The power-consuming mechanism includes a propulsion motor and a propeller connected to the propulsion motor, and the power supply terminal is electrically connected to the propulsion motor; or, the power-consuming mechanism is an integrated motor propeller, and the power supply terminal is electrically connected to the integrated motor propeller.

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