Small-Scale Well-Proven Inherently Safe Nuclear Power Conversion

Abstract

Over the last few years a number of papers have discussed the progress on studies and thoughts on small-scale nuclear power, especially nuclear power conversion systems aiming at the nonutility markets, such as the stand-alone heat generation, combined heat and power production, stand-alone electricity conversion, and ship propulsion. The design of these installations must fully comply with the philosophies as are common in these markets, where the expression “the engine is a means to an end” applies. So design to cost, design to be operated by non professional energy producers, to be managed by a pool-management system, maintained, repaired and overhauled by replacement, etc. The paper will discuss such a design. So far all papers mentioned have discussed the gas turbine directly coupled to the heat source. However, the helium turbine is considered quite a challenge for the gas turbine industry, so alternatives had to be found. At the moment the possibilities of gas turbines with an indirect heat source (to burn refuse, wood, refinery waste, etc.) are getting much more attention. The paper therefore will discuss how an inherently safe, well proven, nuclear heat source can be coupled by an intermediate heat exchanger to a recuperative, existing but adapted gas turbine.