Perspective on a Combustion-Free Gas Turbine to Meet Power Generation Needs in the 21st Century

Abstract

The combustion gas turbine, operating in both simple and combined cycle modes, is rapidly becoming the preferred prime-mover for electrical power generation for both new plants, and in the repowering of old power stations. In replacing Rankine cycle plants the combustion gas turbine could become dominant in the power generation field early in the next century. Fired currently with natural gas, and later with gasified coal these gas turbines will operate for many decades with no concern about resource depletion. This paper addresses an extension of high efficiency gas turbine technology but uses a combustion and emission-free heat source, namely a high temperature gas cooled nuclear reactor. The motivation for this evolution is essentially twofold, 1) to introduce an environmentally benign plant that does not emit greenhouse gases, and 2) provide electrical power to nations that have no indigenous natural gas or coal supplies. This paper presents a confidence-building approach that eliminates risk towards the goal of making the nuclear gas turbine a reality in the 21st century.