Load-following and reliability studies of an integrated SP-100 system

Abstract

This paper investigates the load-following characteristics of an integrated thermoelectric (TE) SP-100 system without a shunt regulator. The paper also analyzes the system's performance following a partial loss of the main radiator's surface area. This analysis shows that, although the nuclear reactor is always load following, the integrated system is load following only up to a critical value of the external load demand; beyond this point, the system is not load following. This critical value of the external load demand is almost independent of the initial steady-state power of the system. The load-following characteristics of a TE SP-100 system are also independent of the mode of changing the external load (steady-state or ramp change). In addition, the conversion efficiency and electric power output of the system decrease proportionally to the percentage loss in the main radiator's surface area.