Modular HTGR Steam Generating System for Scale Economy
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in achieving economic viability for high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) nuclear power plants lies in balancing safety considerations with the limitations of small single reactor power, which restricts the scale and efficiency of the power generation system.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a modular HTGR steam generating system, where a reactor core and steam generator form a standard module, allowing multiple modules to drive a single turbine, with a steam reheating process that includes high-pressure, intermediate-pressure, and low-pressure cylinders, and a primary helium circulator, enhancing efficiency and reducing costs through batch copying and shared auxiliary systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If modular HTGR with small single reactor power is adopted to ensure inherent safety, then safety is improved, but power generation efficiency and economy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple HTGR modules (first HTGR module and second HTGR module) to drive a single steam turbine, creating a modular cluster configuration. This approach maintains the safety advantages of individual small modules while achieving economies of scale and improved power generation efficiency through coordinated operation of multiple modules sharing common auxiliary systems.
2Reliability
If modular HTGR with small single reactor power is adopted to ensure inherent safety, then safety is improved, but manufacturing and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs multiple HTGR modules to share common auxiliary systems including steam turbines, condensers, feedwater heaters, and other balance of plant equipment. This universal configuration allows each module to be manufactured as a standardized unit while reducing overall project costs through shared infrastructure and economies of scale in procurement and operation.
3Productivity
If multiple HTGR modules are combined to drive a single turbine to achieve scale economy, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power generation system into independent HTGR modules that can be individually designed, manufactured, and operated as standardized units. Each module maintains its own primary cooling system and safety features, while the segmentation allows for modular expansion and simplified maintenance without requiring complex integration of the entire system at once.
4Use of energy by moving object
If steam reheating process with multiple pressure stages is implemented, then energy efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a steam reheating process where steam is reheated between expansion stages (high-pressure, intermediate-pressure, and low-pressure cylinders) to maintain higher energy efficiency. The preliminary heating and reheating actions prevent excessive moisture formation in later turbine stages and improve overall thermal efficiency, while the staged approach allows for manageable complexity in each individual heating section.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration ensures inherent safety, simplifies the system, and achieves scale economy by reducing manufacturing and operational costs, while maintaining high generating efficiency and power output, potentially exceeding conventional fossil-fueled power plants in efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a steam generator (9) heated by the HTGR core
Implementation Method 2
the steam turbine (13) drives a generator (14) to generate electricity
Implementation Method 3
a condenser (23), a condensate pump (24) and a low-pressure heater (25) which are sequentially connected end to end to form a close steam loop
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A high-temperature gas-cooled reactor steam generating system comprises a plurality of nuclear steam supply systems, a high-pressure cylinder (21), a low-pressure cylinder (22), a condenser (23), a condensate pump (24), a low-pressure heater (25), a deaerator (26), a water supply pump (27), and a high-pressure heater (28) which are sequentially connected end to end to form a close steam loop. On one hand, the inherent safety of the reactor is guaranteed and the generating system is simplified with the inherent safety. On the other hand, the scale economy of the steam engine system and other systems of a whole power station is guaranteed through batch copy, a shared auxiliary system and a scale effect.