Sensitivity Analysis of the PBMR Gas Cooled Nuclear Reactor Cycle with the Aid of a Simplified Simulation Model

Abstract

System simulation is a valuable tool in the design of thermo-fluid systems like the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor nuclear power plant currently being developed for ESKOM in South Africa. A simplified and easy to use cycle simulation can be employed successfully in the conceptual design phase when parametric studies are being performed to determine the influence of important design parameters on the system performance. The advantage of such a simplified simulation is that the analyst has direct control over the performance of each component as opposed to more detailed simulations where the component performance is obtained as an output. This paper introduces the EESINET simulation model developed for this purpose. It also provides the results obtained from the sensitivity analysis including the effects of overall pressure ratio, turbo machine efficiencies, maximum and minimum cycle temperatures and pressures, recuperator effectiveness as well as pressure losses and leak flows.