Exergy and exergoeconomic analyses of a novel integration of a 1000 MW pressurized water reactor power plant and a gas turbine cycle through a superheater

Abstract

Combined cycles are used for various reasons, including to increase the efficiency of power generation system. In this study, a gas turbine cycle is combined with a pressurized water reactor (PWR) power plant to increase the total plant efficiency. In this novel cycle, saturated steam produced in the steam generators of the nuclear power plant is superheated by the hot combustion gases exiting the gas turbine. An exergoeconomic analysis is carried out and the effects of compressor pressure ratio and gas turbine inlet temperature are investigated on the net power output, the first and second law efficiencies, the total cost rate and the specific cost of the produced work. The results show that there is an optimum pressure ratio for each gas turbine inlet temperature. The combined cycle total cost rate and the specific cost of the produced work for a gas turbine inlet temperature of 1500 K and a compressor pressure ratio of 13 are determined to be 41,882 $/h and 31.63 $/MWh, respectively.