Open AccessConceptual design and optimization of cogeneration system based on small modular lead‐cooled fast reactor
Author(s) -
Xu Chi,
Khan Muhammad Salman,
Kong Fanli,
Yu Dali,
Yu Jie,
Li Taosheng
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
energy science and engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.638
H-Index - 29
ISSN - 2050-0505
DOI - 10.1002/ese3.942
Subject(s) - cogeneration , exergy , exergy efficiency , process engineering , modular design , thermal efficiency , renewable energy , environmental science , thermal energy , efficient energy use , engineering , waste management , electricity generation , computer science , thermodynamics , chemistry , power (physics) , combustion , electrical engineering , physics , operating system , organic chemistry
Abstract Cogeneration system based on Small Modular Lead‐cooled Fast Reactor (SMLFR) becomes attractive due to its good characteristics of flexible location, safety, thermal efficiency, and economy. The conventional cogeneration systems using coal, gas, or renewable energy as the thermal resource have lower thermal performance as compared to LFR based cogeneration systems due to lack of sustainable energy resources. A modified concept design of cogeneration system based on a 35‐MW th SMLFR has been proposed to improve the thermal performance. A new concept of District Heating (DH) structure layout along with optimization based on the exhaust steam/water drainage position. The thermodynamic model based on energy and exergy methods has been used to design and calculate the energy losses of the cogeneration system components. The energy utilization rate can be increased significantly by optimizing the DH. The thermal efficiency of the proposed system reaches up to 73.64% with an increase of 3.51% and the exergy efficiency reaches up to 59.31% with an increase of 5.01%. The increase of thermal performance under the different heating demands will lead to better energy conservation and environmental safety. This study can be further used as the reference for the design and optimization of SMLFR cogeneration system based on thermodynamic and exergy analysis.