Nuclear Turbine Temperature Control via Intermediary Heat Exchanger
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Solution Overview
Problem
Externally-heated gas turbine engines face challenges in quickly adjusting heat output to match varying power demands, as nuclear reactors may not be able to rapidly adjust heat transfer to accommodate load changes, potentially leading to insufficient or excessive turbine inlet temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A power-generation system incorporating a temperature control system with a blower, auxiliary power unit, mixing valve, and temperature control heat exchanger, which regulates the temperature of compressed air by adjusting the flow rates of cooling and exhaust fluids, and includes an auxiliary combustor to rapidly heat the air when necessary, allowing for quick adjustments to meet power demands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a nuclear reactor is used as an external heat source, then the turbine engine can operate continuously with stable heat supply, but the system cannot quickly adjust heat output to match varying power demands
Solution Approach 1:
A temperature control heat exchanger is introduced as an intermediary between the reactor heat exchanger and the turbine. This heat exchanger receives heat from the reactor heat exchanger and transfers it to the compressed air, allowing buffer storage and regulated delivery of thermal energy. This mediator enables the system to maintain stable continuous operation from the nuclear reactor while achieving quick adjustment of heat output to match varying power demands.
2Device complexity
If the reactor heat exchanger directly heats the compressed air, then the system structure is simple, but the temperature control response is too slow to meet rapid load changes
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is segmented into two distinct heat exchangers: the reactor heat exchanger that receives heat from the nuclear reactor, and the temperature control heat exchanger that directly heats the compressed air before it enters the turbine. This segmentation allows the reactor heat exchanger to provide stable continuous heat while the temperature control heat exchanger responds rapidly to load changes, thus improving response speed without significantly complicating the overall system structure.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the turbine inlet temperature is not quickly adjusted, then the system maintains stable operation, but power output cannot match varying load demands
Solution Approach 1:
A control system with temperature sensors and actuators is implemented to monitor the turbine inlet temperature and adjust the heating process in real-time. The control system receives feedback about the actual temperature and compares it to the desired temperature corresponding to the current load demand, then adjusts the heat transfer process accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables the system to maintain stable operation while quickly adjusting power output to match varying load demands.
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
The system effectively maintains turbine inlet temperatures within a predetermined range, ensuring consistent power output by rapidly adjusting heat input to match load demands, similar to direct-fired gas turbine engines, thereby optimizing energy production.
Implementation Method 1
The reactor heat exchanger is in fluid communication with the compressor and the turbine and configured to transfer heat from a nuclear reactor to the compressed air to heat the compressed air during use of the power-generation system
Implementation Method 2
The temperature control heat exchanger is connected between the compressor and the turbine and is in fluid communication with both the compressed air and the blower to transfer heat between the compressed air and the flow of first fluid from the blower
Implementation Method 3
The compressor compresses air drawn into the engine and produces high pressure air for the external heat source
Data Source
AI summary
A power-generation system for a nuclear reactor includes a power unit, a heat exchanger, and a temperature control system. The power unit produces compressed air that is heated by the nuclear reactor via the heat exchanger. The temperature control system includes a heat transfer fluid and a heat exchanger fluidly connected with the compressed air to transfer heat between the compressed air and heat transfer fluid to control the power level of the power unit.