Innovative configuration of a hybrid nuclear-parabolic trough solar power plant
This paper proposes a combination of a nuclear and a concentrated solar power (CSP) plant. Most of today’s operating nuclear reactor systems are producing saturated steam at relatively low pressure. This, in turn, limits their thermodynamic efficiency. Superheating of nuclear steam with solar therma...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2018-08-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Sustainable Energy |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14786451.2017.1333509 |
| _version_ | 1797680369180344320 |
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| author | Dimityr Popov Ana Borissova |
| author_facet | Dimityr Popov Ana Borissova |
| author_sort | Dimityr Popov |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This paper proposes a combination of a nuclear and a concentrated solar power (CSP) plant. Most of today’s operating nuclear reactor systems are producing saturated steam at relatively low pressure. This, in turn, limits their thermodynamic efficiency. Superheating of nuclear steam with solar thermal energy has the potential to overcome this drawback. An innovative configuration of a hybrid nuclear-CSP plant is assembled and simulated. It brings together a small pressurised water reactor and a parabolic trough solar field. The solar heat is transferred to nuclear steam to raise its temperature. Continuous superheating is provided through molten salts-based thermal energy storage (TES). The results from design point calculations show that solar superheating has the potential to increase nuclear plant electric efficiency significantly. Solar heat to electricity conversion efficiency defined as the ratio of extra generated power to collected solar energy reaches unprecedented rates of 52%. An off-design model was used to simulate 24-h operation for one year by simulating 8760 cases. Due to TES non-stop operation is manageable. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T23:29:00Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8480ddfc9cc24717869dfa012fa24206 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1478-6451 1478-646X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T23:29:00Z |
| publishDate | 2018-08-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Sustainable Energy |
| spelling | doaj.art-8480ddfc9cc24717869dfa012fa242062023-09-20T10:33:45ZengTaylor & Francis GroupInternational Journal of Sustainable Energy1478-64511478-646X2018-08-0137761663910.1080/14786451.2017.13335091333509Innovative configuration of a hybrid nuclear-parabolic trough solar power plantDimityr Popov0Ana Borissova1Technical University of SofiaTechnical University of SofiaThis paper proposes a combination of a nuclear and a concentrated solar power (CSP) plant. Most of today’s operating nuclear reactor systems are producing saturated steam at relatively low pressure. This, in turn, limits their thermodynamic efficiency. Superheating of nuclear steam with solar thermal energy has the potential to overcome this drawback. An innovative configuration of a hybrid nuclear-CSP plant is assembled and simulated. It brings together a small pressurised water reactor and a parabolic trough solar field. The solar heat is transferred to nuclear steam to raise its temperature. Continuous superheating is provided through molten salts-based thermal energy storage (TES). The results from design point calculations show that solar superheating has the potential to increase nuclear plant electric efficiency significantly. Solar heat to electricity conversion efficiency defined as the ratio of extra generated power to collected solar energy reaches unprecedented rates of 52%. An off-design model was used to simulate 24-h operation for one year by simulating 8760 cases. Due to TES non-stop operation is manageable.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14786451.2017.1333509concentrated solar powersmall modular reactorshybrid plantsteam superheatingelectric efficiencyannual performance |
| spellingShingle | Dimityr Popov Ana Borissova Innovative configuration of a hybrid nuclear-parabolic trough solar power plant International Journal of Sustainable Energy concentrated solar power small modular reactors hybrid plant steam superheating electric efficiency annual performance |
| title | Innovative configuration of a hybrid nuclear-parabolic trough solar power plant |
| title_full | Innovative configuration of a hybrid nuclear-parabolic trough solar power plant |
| title_fullStr | Innovative configuration of a hybrid nuclear-parabolic trough solar power plant |
| title_full_unstemmed | Innovative configuration of a hybrid nuclear-parabolic trough solar power plant |
| title_short | Innovative configuration of a hybrid nuclear-parabolic trough solar power plant |
| title_sort | innovative configuration of a hybrid nuclear parabolic trough solar power plant |
| topic | concentrated solar power small modular reactors hybrid plant steam superheating electric efficiency annual performance |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14786451.2017.1333509 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT dimityrpopov innovativeconfigurationofahybridnuclearparabolictroughsolarpowerplant AT anaborissova innovativeconfigurationofahybridnuclearparabolictroughsolarpowerplant |