Abstract
High temperature nuclear reactors (HTR) can be used as an excellent, emission-free source of technological heat for various industrial applications. Their outlet helium temperature (700°-900°C) allows not only for heat supply to all processes below 600°C (referred to as “steam class”), but also enables development of clean nuclear-assisted hydrogen production or coal liquefaction technologies with required temperatures up to 900°C (referred to as “chemical class”). This paper presents the results of analyses done for various configurations of the steam transport loop coupled with the high-temperature heat pump designed for “chemical class” applications. The advantages and disadvantages as well as the key issues are discussed in comparison with alternative solutions, trying to answer the question whether the system with the steam loop and the hightemperature heat pump is viable and economically justified.
Highlights
High temperature nuclear reactors (HTR) can be used as an excellent, emission-free source of technological heat for various industrial applications
The steam-based nuclear heat supply system for chemical class end-users generally follows the configuration proposed in EUROPAIRS Project for the steam class coupling
Operating experience with the high temperature nuclear reactors shows that the efficiency of electricity production in the Rankine cycle is lower than 40% (e.g. Peach Bottom 1 – 34.8%, Fort St.Vrain – 39.2%, THTR – 39.5%) [3]
Summary
According to the nomenclature proposed in the EUROPAIRS Project [1], industrial heat consumers can be grouped into the following 3 classes: steam class (~150°C up to ~600°C) where steam is used both to the heat transport and heating processes. The gas-gas transport loop could provide heat at temperatures around 750°C to 800°C, which may be sufficient for some chemical class end-users This technology cannot be regarded as ready to use because at these temperatures there are still challenges concerning applicable materials capable of withstanding creep damage for long lifetimes. The positive long-term experience with HTRs and analysis of possible coupling schemes indicate that the current technological maturity is sufficient to deploy these reactors as an emission-free source of process heat for steam class end-users. Direct heating by means of gasgas IHX and the gas heat transport loop is possible as a medium-term option, but the near term solution can utilize the proven and relatively inexpensive steam loop technology with one additional step in which the temperature is raised to the level required by the endusers. At the simplest version it can be carried out by external heating (e.g. electric), but some authors suggest that higher efficiency can be achieved with a mechanical hightemperature heat pump [2]
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