Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

Award Date

1966

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Mechanical Engineering

Abstract

One of the most promising concepts for future commercial thermal reactors is the boiling-water, integral-superheat reactors (5) (9). Its economic advantage, based on the assumption that present day turbine throttle conditions can be met, is the combination of two separate effects. The first is the higher thermal efficiency that is inherent in the superheat cycle. With a higher thermal efficiency, less fuels must be consumed for each kilowatt of electricity generated. This reduces fuel costs. The second effect is the lower coolant flow rate associated with this concept. Because of a higher energy extraction per pound of steam passed through the turbine, less steam has to be circulated for a given energy output; therefore, smaller, less expensive turbines, condensors, pumps and feedwater heaters can be utilized, thereby reducing the capital costs. Presently, the limiting thermal criterion for nuclear super-heaters is the fuel element surface temperature. The objectives of this study are to develop a method of calculating the maximum surface temperature for nuclear superheater fuel elements and to illustrate this technique by means of design examples. Because of their interdependence with the fuel element surface temperature, this technique will also establish the superheater pressure drop and the bulk steam exit temperature. (see more in text)

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Thermodynamics
Nuclear reactors

Format

application/pdf

Publisher

South Dakota State University

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