Conceptual Design and Optimization of Power Generation System for Lead-based Reactor

Abstract The lead-based reactor is one of the key nuclear energy systems for Generation-IV and accelerator driven subcritical systems. An efficient power generation system is required for electric power production from the thermal power of the lead-based reactor. In this work, a conceptual design and optimization analysis of power generation system is presented and based on a 400 MWth lead-based reactor. The analysis results show that thermal efficiency was influenced by number of reheaters (with bleed-off steam at different positions), coolant temperature at the inlet and outlet of the reactor, and mass flow rate. The thermal efficiency of Schematic-III (with two reheaters) was 48.37% and higher than Schematic-I and II (one reheater with bleed-off steam from the supply line of the first regenerator and main supply line). Key parameters of power generation system have been optimized to meet the power consumption needs with high performance. The optimized temperature of feed water at the inlet of reactor was 360°C with a flow rate of 237 kg·s-1 and the outlet temperature of the reactor was 557.96°C and efficiency of the plant increased by as much as 56.59% at these parameters. The efficiency and net power of plant increased with the part load.