Testing device suitable for energy utilization of high-temperature gas cooled reactor and working method of testing device

Abstract

The invention discloses a test device suitable for energy utilization of a high-temperature gas cooled reactor and a working method of the test device. The device comprises a fused salt heat exchange system, a primary loop helium system and a secondary loop helium system, the fused salt heat exchange system comprises a fused salt-helium heat exchanger, the primary loop helium system comprises a primary loop heat regenerator and a helium cooler, and the secondary loop helium system comprises a gas-gas heat exchanger, a secondary loop heat regenerator and a cooling device. Helium cooled by the helium cooler sequentially enters the primary loop heat regenerator and the fused salt-helium heat exchanger to be heated and then enters the gas-gas heat exchanger to heat SCO2, and therefore heat of the primary loop is transferred to the secondary loop. The test device can be used for analyzing coupling characteristics of a flow field, a temperature field and a stress field of the gas-gas heat exchanger under various operation conditions; the gas-gas heat exchanger is heat exchange equipment for connecting and isolating a primary loop and a secondary loop, and can ensure that heat emitted by a reactor is transferred from the primary loop to the secondary loop under various expected operation conditions when the high-temperature gas cooled reactor is coupled.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of high-temperature gas-cooled reactor energy utilization technology, and in particular to a test apparatus and its working method suitable for high-temperature gas-cooled reactor energy utilization. Background Technology

[0002] High-temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTGRs) are advanced reactor types with characteristics of fourth-generation reactors, featuring inherent safety and zero carbon emissions. HTGRs offer flexible site layout and can be applied to various scenarios such as hydrogen production, industrial steam supply, heating, and power generation. During startup and shutdown, the reactor core generates a large amount of heat, which is often wasted due to inefficient utilization. To effectively utilize the energy from HTGRs, in addition to considering the high temperature of the energy source, the presence of radioactive materials within the reactor must also be taken into account.

[0003] In addition, when analyzing the flow field, temperature field and stress field characteristics of gas-to-gas heat exchangers under various operating conditions, it is necessary to simulate different temperature fields and flow fields, which requires a lot of heat. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention aims to at least partially solve one of the technical problems in the related art.

[0005] Therefore, embodiments of the present invention propose an experimental apparatus and its operating method suitable for the energy utilization of high-temperature gas-cooled reactors.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present invention proposes an experimental device suitable for the energy utilization of high-temperature gas-cooled reactors, comprising: a molten salt heat exchange system, a primary loop helium system, and a secondary loop helium system. The molten salt heat exchange system includes a molten salt-helium heat exchanger. The primary loop helium system includes a primary loop regenerator and a helium cooler. The secondary loop helium system includes a gas-to-gas heat exchanger, a secondary loop regenerator, and a cooling device. Helium gas sequentially enters the primary loop regenerator and the molten salt-helium heat exchanger, and after being heated, enters the gas-to-gas heat exchanger to heat SCO2, thereby transferring the heat from the primary loop to the secondary loop.

[0007] Furthermore, the molten salt heat exchange system also includes a molten salt heating module, in which low-temperature molten salt is heated to high-temperature molten salt.

[0008] Furthermore, the cold source outlet of the primary regenerator is connected to the cold source inlet of the molten salt-helium heat exchanger, and the cold source outlet of the molten salt-helium heat exchanger is connected to the heat source inlet of the gas-gas heat exchanger.

[0009] Furthermore, the heat source outlet of the gas-gas heat exchanger is connected to the heat source inlet of the helium cooler, and the cold source inlet of the helium cooler is connected to a cold water source via a delivery pump.

[0010] Furthermore, the heat source outlet of the helium cooler is connected to the cold source inlet of the primary loop regenerator via a first booster fan.

[0011] Furthermore, the cold source outlet of the gas-to-gas heat exchanger is connected to the heat source inlet of the primary loop regenerator, the heat source inlet of the secondary loop regenerator, and the inlet of the cooling device via pipelines.

[0012] Furthermore, the heat source outlet of the secondary loop regenerator, the outlet of the cooling device, and the heat source outlet of the primary loop heat exchanger are respectively connected to the SCO2 gas tank via pipelines.

[0013] Furthermore, the cold source inlet of the secondary loop regenerator is connected to the SCO2 gas tank via a second booster fan.

[0014] Furthermore, the primary loop helium system also includes a helium storage tank, the outlet of which is connected to the cold source inlet of the primary loop regenerator via the first booster fan.

[0015] Secondly, the present invention provides a method for operating the experimental apparatus for high-temperature gas-cooled reactor energy utilization proposed in the first aspect, comprising the following steps: Helium from the outlet of the helium storage tank or the heat source outlet of the helium cooler is sent to the cold source inlet of the primary loop regenerator by the first booster fan. After being heated by the primary loop regenerator, the helium enters the molten salt-helium heat exchanger for further heating. Then, it enters the gas-to-gas heat exchanger as a heat source to exchange heat with SCO2 at the cold source outlet of the secondary loop regenerator. The cooled helium then enters the helium cooler for further cooling. The SCO2 gas at the outlet of the SCO2 gas tank is sent to the cold source inlet of the second loop regenerator by the second booster fan. After being heated by the second loop regenerator, the SCO2 enters the gas-to-gas heat exchanger for further heating and then serves as a heat source to enter the first loop regenerator, the second loop regenerator, and the cooling device. Helium from the heat source outlet of the primary regenerator, helium from the heat source outlet of the secondary regenerator, and helium from the outlet of the cooling device enter the SCO2 gas tank.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: The experimental apparatus of this invention can be used to conduct analysis of the coupling characteristics of flow field, temperature field and stress field of gas-to-gas heat exchangers under various operating conditions.

[0017] The gas-to-gas heat exchanger in this invention is a heat exchange device that connects and isolates the primary loop and the secondary loop. When coupled with a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor, it can ensure that the heat generated by the reactor is transferred from the primary loop to the secondary loop under various expected operating conditions. In addition, the gas-to-gas heat exchanger acts as a barrier to prevent coolant and radioactive materials in the primary loop from being released into the secondary loop, thus ensuring the integrity of the pressure boundary of the primary loop. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and readily understood from the following description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an experimental setup suitable for energy utilization in high-temperature gas-cooled reactors; Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 1. Molten salt heating module; 2. Molten salt-helium heat exchanger; 3. Primary loop regenerator; 4. Secondary loop regenerator; 5. Gas-to-gas heat exchanger; 6. Helium cooler; 7. Cooling device; 8. First booster fan; 9. Second booster fan; 10. Helium storage tank; 11. SCO2 gas tank; 12. Transfer pump; 13. Cold water source. Detailed Implementation

[0019] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0020] The following description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, describes the experimental apparatus and its operating method for energy utilization in high-temperature gas-cooled reactors proposed in this invention.

[0021] like Figure 1 As shown, the experimental apparatus of the present invention for the energy utilization of high-temperature gas-cooled reactors includes a molten salt heat exchange system, a primary loop helium system, and a secondary loop helium system.

[0022] The molten salt heat exchange system includes a molten salt heating module 1 and a molten salt-helium heat exchanger 2. In the molten salt heating module 1, low-temperature molten salt is heated to high-temperature molten salt, thereby storing heat in the high-temperature molten salt.

[0023] In some embodiments, the molten salt heating module 1 uses electric heating to raise the temperature of the molten salt to a preset temperature. The molten salt serves as an energy storage medium, storing energy in the form of heat. Nitrate is preferably the molten salt medium.

[0024] When the experimental device is coupled with a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor, the thermal energy of the molten salt heating module 1 comes from the core of the high-temperature gas-cooled reactor during startup and shutdown, thereby utilizing the thermal energy of the high-temperature gas-cooled reactor.

[0025] In the molten salt-helium heat exchanger 2, high-temperature molten salt is used as a heat source to heat the cold source helium. After the high-temperature molten salt cools down, it enters the molten salt heating module 1 for heating and temperature rise. After being heated, it enters the molten salt-helium heat exchanger 2 again as a heat source.

[0026] The primary loop helium system includes a primary loop regenerator 3, a helium cooler 6, a helium storage tank 10, and a first booster fan 8. The secondary loop helium system includes a gas-to-gas heat exchanger 5, a secondary loop regenerator 4, a cooling device 7, an SCO2 gas tank 11, and a second booster fan 9.

[0027] The outlet of the helium storage tank 10 is connected to the cold source inlet of the primary loop regenerator 3 via the first booster fan 8. The helium at the outlet of the helium storage tank 10 is sent to the cold source inlet of the primary loop regenerator 3 via the first booster fan 8.

[0028] The heat source outlet of the helium cooler 6 is connected to the cold source inlet of the primary loop regenerator 3 via the first booster fan 8. Helium from the heat source outlet of the helium cooler 6 is then fed into the cold source inlet of the primary loop regenerator 3 via the first booster fan 8. It can be understood that when the amount of helium at the heat source outlet of the helium cooler 6 is sufficient, only the helium from the heat source outlet of the helium cooler 6 is used; when the amount of helium at the heat source outlet of the helium cooler 6 is insufficient, the helium storage tank 10 is used to supplement the insufficient amount; when the amount of helium at the heat source outlet of the helium cooler 6 is excessive, the excess helium is stored in the helium storage tank 10.

[0029] The cold source outlet of the primary loop regenerator 3 is connected to the cold source inlet of the molten salt-helium heat exchanger 2, and the cold source outlet of the molten salt-helium heat exchanger 2 is connected to the heat source inlet of the gas-to-gas heat exchanger 5. Helium, pressurized by the first booster fan 8, enters the cold source inlet of the primary loop regenerator 3, serving as the cold source. In the primary loop regenerator 3, the helium is heated to 200-220°C by high-temperature SCO2. The helium flowing out of the cold source outlet of the primary loop regenerator 3 enters the molten salt-helium heat exchanger 2, where it is reheated by high-temperature molten salt to 520-560°C. The high-temperature helium flowing out of the cold source outlet of the molten salt-helium heat exchanger 2 enters the heat source inlet of the gas-to-gas heat exchanger 5, meaning the high-temperature helium serves as the heat source in the gas-to-gas heat exchanger 5.

[0030] The heat source outlet of the gas-to-gas heat exchanger 5 is connected to the heat source inlet of the helium cooler 6, and the cold source inlet of the helium cooler 6 is connected to a cold water source 13 via a transfer pump 12. Helium gas at 310-330°C, after heat exchange, flows out from the heat source outlet of the gas-to-gas heat exchanger 5 and enters the helium cooler 6 via its heat source inlet. The cold water source 13 serves as the cold source for the helium cooler 6, and the transfer pump 12 pumps the cold water source 13 into the helium cooler 6 to cool the helium. It is understood that the cold water source 13 is circulated until the helium at the heat source outlet of the helium cooler 6 is cooled to a preset temperature of 40°C. In some embodiments, the cold water source 13 is seawater.

[0031] In the gas-to-gas heat exchanger 5, high-temperature helium gas is used as a heat source to heat the medium-temperature SCO2 of the cold source to a high-temperature and high-pressure gas of 500~540℃ and 14~15MPa. The cold source outlet of the gas-to-gas heat exchanger 5 is connected to the heat source inlet of the primary loop regenerator 3, the heat source inlet of the secondary loop regenerator 4, and the inlet of the cooling device 7 via pipelines. The high-temperature, high-pressure SCO2 gas at the cold source outlet of gas-gas heat exchanger 5 enters the primary loop regenerator 3. In the primary loop regenerator 3, the high-temperature, high-pressure SCO2 acts as a heat source, heating the cold source helium gas in the primary loop regenerator 3 to 200~220℃. The other high-temperature, high-pressure SCO2 enters the secondary loop regenerator 4. In the secondary loop regenerator 4, the high-temperature, high-pressure SCO2 acts as a heat source, heating the low-temperature, low-pressure SCO2 (approximately 35℃, 8MPa) cold source in the secondary loop regenerator 4 to medium-temperature SCO2 (300~320℃, 11~12MPa). The medium-temperature SCO2 then enters the gas-gas heat exchanger 5 and is heated to high-temperature, high-pressure SCO2 (500~540℃, 14~15MPa). Additionally, excess high-temperature, high-pressure SCO2 enters the cooling device 7 to be cooled to low-temperature, low-pressure SCO2.

[0032] The heat source outlet of the secondary loop regenerator 4, the outlet of the cooling device 7, and the heat source outlet of the primary loop regenerator 3 are all connected to the SCO2 gas tank 11 via pipelines. Specifically, the high-temperature and high-pressure SCO2 in the primary loop regenerator 3 is cooled down in the primary loop regenerator 3 and then enters the SCO2 gas tank 11. The high-temperature and high-pressure SCO2 in the secondary loop regenerator 4 is cooled down in the secondary loop regenerator 4 and then enters the SCO2 gas tank 11.

[0033] The cold source inlet of the secondary loop regenerator 4 is connected to the SCO2 tank 11 through the second booster fan 9. That is, the low temperature and low pressure SCO2 in the SCO2 tank 11 is boosted by the second booster fan 9 and enters the cold source inlet of the secondary loop regenerator 4. In the secondary loop regenerator 4, the low temperature and low pressure SCO2 is heated to medium temperature SCO2 by the high temperature and high pressure SCO2.

[0034] The experimental apparatus of this invention can be used to analyze the coupling characteristics of the flow field, temperature field, and stress field of the gas-to-gas heat exchanger 5 under various operating conditions. The gas-to-gas heat exchanger 5 in this invention is a heat exchange device that connects and isolates the primary and secondary loops. When coupled to a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor, it ensures that the heat generated by the reactor is transferred from the primary loop to the secondary loop under various expected operating conditions. Furthermore, the gas-to-gas heat exchanger 5 acts as a barrier to prevent the release of coolant and radioactive materials from the primary loop into the secondary loop, ensuring the integrity of the primary loop pressure boundary.

[0035] The operating method of the experimental apparatus of the present invention applicable to the energy utilization of high-temperature gas-cooled reactors includes the following steps: Helium from the outlet of helium storage tank 10 or the heat source outlet of helium cooler 6 is sent to the cold source inlet of primary loop regenerator 3 by the first booster fan 8. After being heated by primary loop regenerator 3, helium enters molten salt-helium heat exchanger 2 for further heating. Then, as a heat source, helium enters gas-to-gas heat exchanger 5 to exchange heat with SCO2 at the cold source outlet of secondary loop regenerator 4. After cooling, helium enters helium cooler 6 for further cooling. The SCO2 gas at the outlet of the SCO2 gas tank 11 is sent to the cold source inlet of the second-loop regenerator 4 by the second booster fan 9. After being heated by the second-loop regenerator 4, the SCO2 gas enters the gas-gas heat exchanger 5 again for heating and temperature rise. Then, it enters the first-loop regenerator 3, the second-loop regenerator 4 and the cooling device 7 as a heat source. Helium from the heat source outlet of the primary regenerator 3, helium from the heat source outlet of the secondary regenerator 4, and helium from the outlet of the cooling device 7 enter SCO2 gas tank 11.

[0036] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms may refer to different embodiments or examples. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0037] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0038] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A test device suitable for use in a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor energy utilization, characterized by, The application relates to a molten salt heat exchange system, a primary loop helium system and a secondary loop helium system, wherein the molten salt heat exchange system comprises a molten salt-helium heat exchanger, the primary loop helium system comprises a primary loop regenerator and a helium cooler, and the secondary loop helium system comprises a gas-gas heat exchanger, a secondary loop regenerator and a cooling device; helium enters the primary loop regenerator, the molten salt-helium heat exchanger, the gas-gas heat exchanger and the secondary loop regenerator in sequence, and the helium is heated by the molten salt-helium heat exchanger and the gas-gas heat exchanger to heat SCO2, so that the heat of the primary loop is transferred to the secondary loop. The molten salt heat exchange system further comprises a molten salt heating module, in which low-temperature molten salt is heated into high-temperature molten salt.

2. The test device of claim 1, wherein The cold source outlet end of the primary loop regenerator is connected to the cold source inlet end of the molten salt-helium heat exchanger, and the cold source outlet end of the molten salt-helium heat exchanger is connected to the heat source inlet end of the gas-gas heat exchanger.

3. The test device of claim 1, wherein, The heat source outlet end of the gas-gas heat exchanger is connected to the heat source inlet end of the helium cooler, and the cold source inlet end of the helium cooler is communicated with a cold water source through a delivery pump.

4. The test device of claim 3, wherein The heat source outlet end of the helium cooler is communicated with the cold source inlet end of the primary loop regenerator through a first booster fan.

5. The test device of claim 1, wherein The cold source outlet end of the gas-gas heat exchanger is communicated with the heat source inlet end of the primary loop regenerator, the heat source inlet end of the secondary loop regenerator and the inlet end of the cooling device through pipelines respectively.

6. The test device of claim 1, wherein The heat source outlet end of the secondary loop regenerator, the outlet end of the cooling device and the heat source outlet end of the primary loop regenerator are communicated with an SCO2 tank through pipelines respectively.

7. The test device of claim 1, wherein The cold source inlet end of the secondary loop regenerator is communicated with the SCO2 tank through a second booster fan.

8. The test device of claim 1, wherein, The primary loop helium system further comprises a helium storage tank, and the outlet end of the helium storage tank is communicated with the cold source inlet end of the primary loop regenerator through the first booster fan.

9. The test device of claim 5, wherein, The test device suitable for any one of claims 1-9 comprises the following steps:

10. A method of operation of a test device suitable for use in a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor energy utilization, characterized in that, Helium at the outlet end of the helium storage tank or the heat source outlet end of the helium cooler is sent into the cold source inlet end of the primary loop regenerator through the first booster fan, the helium is heated in the primary loop regenerator and then enters the molten salt-helium heat exchanger to be heated and warmed, and then enters the gas-gas heat exchanger as a heat source to exchange heat with SCO2 at the cold source outlet end of the secondary loop regenerator, and the cooled helium enters the helium cooler to be cooled again; SCO2 at the outlet end of the SCO2 tank is sent into the cold source inlet end of the secondary loop regenerator through the second booster fan, the SCO2 is heated in the secondary loop regenerator and then enters the gas-gas heat exchanger to be heated and warmed, and then enters the primary loop regenerator, the secondary loop regenerator and the cooling device as a heat source respectively; The helium at the heat source outlet end of the primary loop regenerator, the helium at the heat source outlet end of the secondary loop regenerator and the helium at the outlet end of the cooling device enter the SCO2 tank. ​

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