Gas Turbine Power Plant Possibilities With a Nuclear Heat Source: Closed and Open Cycles

McDonald, Colin F.

doi:10.1115/90-gt-069

Cited by 7 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…The system is suitable for a wide variety of missions, such as lunar, deep space, and earth orbit missions. In the 1950s, a program for Aircraft Nuclear Propulsion (ANP) was initiated by the Atomic Energy Commission in the US to redesign B-36 which was later renamed NB-36 [22][23][24]. By the 1960s, progress was made with both direct and indirect closed-cycle engines tested, using air as the working fluid [23].…”

Section: The Brayton Closed-cycle Enginesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Feasibility of a Helium Closed-Cycle Gas Turbine for UAV Propulsion

2020

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When selecting a design for an unmanned aerial vehicle, the choice of the propulsion system is vital in terms of mission requirements, sustainability, usability, noise, controllability, reliability and technology readiness level (TRL). This study analyses the various propulsion systems used in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), paying particular focus on the closed-cycle propulsion systems. The study also investigates the feasibility of using helium closed-cycle gas turbines for UAV propulsion, highlighting the merits and demerits of helium closed-cycle gas turbines. Some of the advantages mentioned include high payload, low noise and high altitude mission ability; while the major drawbacks include a heat sink, nuclear hazard radiation and the shield weight. A preliminary assessment of the cycle showed that a pressure ratio of 4, turbine entry temperature (TET) of 800 °C and mass flow of 50 kg/s could be used to achieve a lightweight helium closed-cycle gas turbine design for UAV mission considering component design constraints.

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Section: The Brayton Closed-cycle Enginesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Feasibility of a Helium Closed-Cycle Gas Turbine for UAV Propulsion

2020

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“…In order to separate the gas turbine system and the reactor, indirect cycles with an intermediate heat exchanger have been proposed. The working fluid in the indirect cycle can be helium [10] or nitrogen [11] in a closed loop or air in an open loop [12]. The highest efficiencies can be attained with systems with a bottoming steam cycle [13].…”

Section: Cycle Choicementioning

confidence: 99%

Conceptual design for the energy conversion system of a nuclear gas turbine cogeneration plant

Kikstra

Verkooijen

2000

Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part A:

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The high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) is a nuclear reactor which can be designed to be inherently safe. When the helium heated in the reactor is used directly in a closed-cycle gas turbine system, the excellent safety characteristics can be combined with a high efficiency. Because of the small scale and simple modular design (both a result of the inherent safety) the HTGR is suitable for combined heat and power (CHP) production. In this article an energy conversion system for a nuclear gas turbine cogeneration plant is designed. First, with help of a basic model, a cycle choice is made and some parameters such as pressure ratio and heat-power ratio are optimized. With a steady state model a conceptual design is made and a sensitivity analysis is carried out for a number of design parameters. Finally, the off-design behaviour is optimized.

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“…Design studies of a gas turbine variant of the M HR have been very limited, and while very much in the embryonic stage, concepts have been proposed for both prismatic (McDonald, 1990a) and pebble bed (Staudt and Lidsky, 1987) reactor types. A representative rendering of a gas turbine power conversion system is shown in the right-hand vessel on Fig.…”

Section: Direct Cycle Gas Turbine For Power Generationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Advanced Hybrid Gas Turbine Plant Concept for Electrical Power Generation and Alternate Transportation Fuels Production

McDonald

1991

Volume 3: Coal, Biomass and Alternative Fuels; Combustion and Fuels; Oil and Gas Applications; Cycle Innovations

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In long-term U.S. energy planning three major factors are paramount, (1) environmental considerations will play a major role in power plant design, (2) alternate (and cleaner burning) transportation fuels must be introduced to wean the country from dependence on imported oil, and (3) increasing reliance will be placed on indigenous resources, namely uranium and coal. It will likely take several decades for the above goals to be implemented on a large scale, and will surely necessitate the utilization of advanced technologies. A proposed advanced version of the modular helium reactor (MHR) has bi-modal operating capability in that it can be used for power generation, and the emission-free production of cleanburning fuels to meet transportation needs. The advanced hybrid MHR plant concept utilizes a direct cycle helium nuclear gas turbine for electrical power generation (with an efficiency potential of 50%), and in addition embodies an intermediate heat transport loop for high temperature process heat needed for the emission-free conversion of coal into future cleaner burning transportation fuels, namely methanol, synthetic natural gas, or hydrogen. The high grade sensible reject heat from both the prime-mover and process heat loop is ideally suited for desalination, and thus gives the plant capability for generating three revenue streams. This paper highlights an advanced very high temperature hybrid plant concept, and discusses the enabling technologies necessary to make such an energy complex a reality, perhaps in the first decade of the 21st century. Such a power generating and fuel production facility would be in concert with improved clean air goals, and the national security and economic advantages of making U.S. power and fuel supplies dependent only on indigenous resources. INTRODUCTIONCombined cycle gas turbines, using natural gas as their fuel and exhibiting efficiency values of over 50%, are being ordered in increasing numbers by U.S. utilities. It is projected that these plants will dominate the needed new capacity in the next two decades until the second generation of nuclear power plants has an impact on the energy scene. Today nuclear power represents 6% of the energy used in the U.S., and the next generation of plants, characterized by their modular construction, passive features, and inherently safe characteristics, will play a vital role in meeting increasing electricity demand in an environmentally acceptable manner. The full potential of nuclear power must be exploited if it is to offer a solution to both an improved environment and reduced national dependency on imported crude oil. The MHR, by virtue of its very high temperature capability, is the only type of reactor that can be used as a nuclear heat source in the conversion of coal into alternative cleaner burning transportation fuels. At the necessary reactor outlet temperature of 950°C (1 742°F) advantage can also be taken of a high efficiency direct cycle helium gas turbine for power generation, and this is a major theme of this paper.Be...

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Gas Turbine Power Plant Possibilities With a Nuclear Heat Source: Closed and Open Cycles

Cited by 7 publications

References 11 publications

Feasibility of a Helium Closed-Cycle Gas Turbine for UAV Propulsion

Feasibility of a Helium Closed-Cycle Gas Turbine for UAV Propulsion

Conceptual design for the energy conversion system of a nuclear gas turbine cogeneration plant

Advanced Hybrid Gas Turbine Plant Concept for Electrical Power Generation and Alternate Transportation Fuels Production

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