Comparison Between Air and Helium for Use as Working Fluids in the Energy-Conversion Cycle of the MPBR

A comparison between air and helium for use as working fluids in the energy-conversion cycle of the MPBR is presented. To date, helium has been selected in the MPBR indirect-cycle working reference design. Air open- and closed-cycle variants are considered in this thesis in order to identify relativ...

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Main Authors: Galen, T. A., Wilson, D. G., Kadak, A. C.
Other Authors: Advanced Nuclear Power Technology Program (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
Format: Technical Report
Published: Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Center for Advanced Nuclear Energy Systems. Advanced Nuclear Power Program 2011
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/67668
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author Galen, T. A.
Wilson, D. G.
Kadak, A. C.
author2 Advanced Nuclear Power Technology Program (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
author_facet Advanced Nuclear Power Technology Program (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
Galen, T. A.
Wilson, D. G.
Kadak, A. C.
author_sort Galen, T. A.
collection MIT
description A comparison between air and helium for use as working fluids in the energy-conversion cycle of the MPBR is presented. To date, helium has been selected in the MPBR indirect-cycle working reference design. Air open- and closed-cycle variants are considered in this thesis in order to identify relative advantages in cycle efficiency, component efficiency, size, and possible development work required for deployment. The results of this comparison indicate that the helium cycle results in the smallest-sized plant, uses well-established technology, has a high busbar efficiency, and thus best meets the design priorities of the MPBR. The open-cycle-air variant employs turbomachinery components with the greatest amount of industrial experience, the least amount of development work required, and a 6% advantage in busbar efficiency when compared with the helium cycle. However, it results in a plant roughly 5 times the size of the helium plant. The closed-air cycle has a 5% advantage in busbar efficiency over the helium plant, but results in a plant roughly 2.5 times the size of the helium plant and requires approximately the same amount of development work for near-term MPBR deployment.
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spelling mit-1721.1/676682019-04-12T20:57:43Z Comparison Between Air and Helium for Use as Working Fluids in the Energy-Conversion Cycle of the MPBR Galen, T. A. Wilson, D. G. Kadak, A. C. Advanced Nuclear Power Technology Program (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) Galen, T. A. Wilson, D. G. Kadak, A. C. A comparison between air and helium for use as working fluids in the energy-conversion cycle of the MPBR is presented. To date, helium has been selected in the MPBR indirect-cycle working reference design. Air open- and closed-cycle variants are considered in this thesis in order to identify relative advantages in cycle efficiency, component efficiency, size, and possible development work required for deployment. The results of this comparison indicate that the helium cycle results in the smallest-sized plant, uses well-established technology, has a high busbar efficiency, and thus best meets the design priorities of the MPBR. The open-cycle-air variant employs turbomachinery components with the greatest amount of industrial experience, the least amount of development work required, and a 6% advantage in busbar efficiency when compared with the helium cycle. However, it results in a plant roughly 5 times the size of the helium plant. The closed-air cycle has a 5% advantage in busbar efficiency over the helium plant, but results in a plant roughly 2.5 times the size of the helium plant and requires approximately the same amount of development work for near-term MPBR deployment. 2011-12-14T17:16:23Z 2011-12-14T17:16:23Z 2011-02 Technical Report http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/67668 MIT-ANP;TR-077 application/pdf Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Center for Advanced Nuclear Energy Systems. Advanced Nuclear Power Program
spellingShingle Galen, T. A.
Wilson, D. G.
Kadak, A. C.
Comparison Between Air and Helium for Use as Working Fluids in the Energy-Conversion Cycle of the MPBR
title Comparison Between Air and Helium for Use as Working Fluids in the Energy-Conversion Cycle of the MPBR
title_full Comparison Between Air and Helium for Use as Working Fluids in the Energy-Conversion Cycle of the MPBR
title_fullStr Comparison Between Air and Helium for Use as Working Fluids in the Energy-Conversion Cycle of the MPBR
title_full_unstemmed Comparison Between Air and Helium for Use as Working Fluids in the Energy-Conversion Cycle of the MPBR
title_short Comparison Between Air and Helium for Use as Working Fluids in the Energy-Conversion Cycle of the MPBR
title_sort comparison between air and helium for use as working fluids in the energy conversion cycle of the mpbr
url http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/67668
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