Conceptual design and optimization of power generation system for lead - based reactor

The lead-based reactor is one of the key nuclear energy systems for Generation-IV (Gen-IV) and Accelerator Driven Subcritical Systems (ADS). The Institute of Nuclear Energy Safety Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (INEST, CAS) has taken significant initiative for the design and development of the China Lead-based Reactor (CLEAR) series since 2011. The conventional power generation system has low performance and optimization of main parameter is a challenge when power generation system is connected with lead-based reactor. A new/modified conceptual design of an efficient power generation system with two reheaters has been proposed on the basis of a 400 MWth (thermal power) lead-based reactor with high performance. The analysis results show that the thermal efficiency was influenced by number of reheaters (with bleed-off steam at different positions). The thermal efficiency of Schematic-III (with two reheaters) was 44.3% 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, respectively). However, key parameters of the power generation system have been optimized to increase the overall performance of Schematic-III. The optimized temperature of feed water at the inlet of the reactor was 360 degrees C with a flow rate of 237 kg.s(similar to 1) and the outlet temperature of the reactor was 558 degrees C. The efficiency and net power of the plant increased with the part load.