基于简单开式布雷顿循环的热管反应堆系统功率质量比影响因素初步探索

Preliminary Study of Influencing Factors of Power-to-Mass Ratio of Heat Pipe Reactor Power System Based on Simple Open Brayton Cycle

基于简单开式布雷顿循环的热管反应堆系统具有结构简单、固有安全、放射性泄漏风险低等特点,是小型可移动反应堆的潜在优势技术选项,其功率质量比是评价总体方案先进性的重要指标。本文以5MW热管反应堆为研究对象,建立包含热管反应堆与开式布雷顿发电装置的方案功率质量比评估模型,对多种关键参数对总体指标的影响规律进行了探索。研究表明功率质量比随热传导途径上温差增大而先提高后降低,最优值则与堆芯基体最高温度限值正相关。在给定温度限值条件下,热管反应堆电源系统内热量传输途径上温差设计是热管反应堆优化设计的关键因素。未来可进一步细化模型,对压气机、涡轮、热管等进行更详细建模,提高模型准确程度。

The heat pipe reactor system based on the simple open Brayton cycle is with the characteristics of simple structure, inherent safety, and low risk of radioactive leakage, and is a potential leading technology option to meet the demand for more practical and innovative nuclear reactor designs capable of providing clean energy. The power-to-mass ratio of the heat pipe reactor is often used as an important indicator in the evaluation of engineering design. In this paper, we established a model for the power-to-mass ratio of the heat pipe reactor to explore the effect of various key parameters on the power-to-mass ratio. The analysis of a design like the Westinghouse eVinciTM heat pipe(HP) reactor shows that the power-to-mass ratio varies versus temperature difference in the heat transfer path, including difference between the heat pipe and the core structure, and that between the heat pipe and the heat exchanger. The optimal power-to-mass ratio is positively correlated with the maximum operating temperature limit of the core structure material. In the future, more detailed modeling of compressors, turbines, heat pipes could be carried out to improve the accuracy of models.