SMR Indirect Heat Cycle with Intermediate Exchanger for Contamination Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Petrochemical plants face challenges in obtaining reliable, carbon-free energy sources for high-temperature process heat due to regulatory and operational limitations of direct cycle steam heating, which can lead to contamination and inefficient energy use.
Innovation Solution
An indirect cycle system using an intermediate heat exchanger, peaking heater, and process heat recovery recuperative heat exchanger to transfer heat from a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) to an industrial user, allowing for customizable steam temperatures and pressures, reducing regulatory and operational concerns, and utilizing a high-pressure loop with appropriate chemistry and pressure for process heat generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If direct cycle steam heating is used to transfer heat from SMR to industrial user, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but contamination risk and regulatory concerns increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate heat exchanger as a mediator between the SMR primary coolant loop and the industrial process steam loop. This intermediary device enables heat transfer from the nuclear reactor to the industrial user without direct contact between the two fluid systems, thereby maintaining high heat transfer efficiency while eliminating contamination risks associated with direct cycle steam heating.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If indirect cycle with intermediate heat exchanger is used, then contamination risk is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the heat transfer system into distinct independent loops: the primary coolant loop containing the SMR and intermediate heat exchanger, and the process steam loop serving the industrial user. This segmentation isolates potential contamination sources while allowing each loop to be optimized independently, reducing overall system complexity despite the addition of the intermediate heat exchanger.
3Productivity
If high-pressure loop with appropriate chemistry is used, then process heat generation efficiency is improved, but operational boundaries and safety requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes by establishing a high-pressure loop with specifically controlled chemistry parameters (pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity) in the intermediate heat exchanger. These parameter optimizations enable efficient process heat generation while the contained, controlled environment actually simplifies operational management compared to open or less-controlled systems.
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 provides a continuous supply of carbon-free energy for petrochemical production, enhancing heat transfer efficiency, reducing material costs, and ensuring safety by maintaining clear operational boundaries, thus overcoming the limitations of direct cycle steam heating.
Implementation Method 1
an indirect cycle that utilizes an intermediate heat exchanger to transfer heat from an SMR plant to an industrial user of heat
Implementation Method 2
peaking heater, and process heat recovery recuperative heat exchanger to transfer heat from a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) to an industrial user
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated system comprising a nuclear power module to output initial steam, a turbine generator to receive the initial steam and output first steam, a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger. The first heat exchanger is configured to receive water, receive the first steam, and transfer heat from the first steam into the water to create second steam, and the second heat exchanger is configured to receive the second steam, and convert the second steam to a third steam.