Coupled system model analysis for a small modular reactor cogeneration (combined heat and power) application

Abstract

The goal of this research is to develop a flexible, simple, and accurate coupled system model for nuclear combined heat and power cycle (CHP) to investigate various heat-source applications of a small modular reactor (SMR) based on off-design component models. A CHP heat exchanger system model was developed and coupled with the SMR secondary system model for a typical SMR-CHP analysis. The coupled system can be used as (1) a supporting tool for preliminary design by making it possible to calculate the required overall heat transfer capabilities of each CHP heat exchanger, and (2) a supporting tool for optimizing a nuclear CHP application with different heat extraction locations. Analysis of the proposed SMR application with respect to economic feasibility indicated that when market fossil-fuel prices are low (e.g., 2020), a typical nuclear CHP application may not be economically feasible without stronger carbon pricing. However, when the market fossil-fuel prices are high (e.g., 2022), a nuclear CHP application could be economically feasible without taking carbon pricing into consideration. For a future work, more comprehensive techno-economic analysis can be performed for specific regions, since factors such as carbon pricing, electrical prices, and required CHP heat may differ by country or a region within a country.