Bright future of micro-turbines: Nuclear emergency cooling and miniature generator

Abstract

Micro-turbines have many advantages over other drivers (for example, piston engine) such as higher power density, less footprint, lighter weight, low emissions, higher availability, better operation, higher reliability, easier maintenance, great fuel flexibility, low dynamic/shaking forces and fewer moving parts (usually only one moving assembly). Old fashion emergency diesel generators and battery systems have been used for decades in critical emergency units such as nuclear emergency cooling systems. They seem unreliable and unsuitable for modern facilities. Advanced micro-turbine is proposed as a reliable, lightweight and compact solution for emergency power supply applications. New applications and modern case studies of micro-turbines for nuclear facility emergency cooling system and miniature generator are explained.

Keywords:

• Micro-turbines
• emergency power

Additional information

Notes on contributors

A Almasi

Amin Almasi is a rotating machine consultant in Brisbane, Australia. He is chartered professional engineer of Engineers Australia (MIEAust CPEng – Mechanical) and IMechE (CEng MIMechE). He has a MSc and BSc in mechanical engineering and is a Registered Professional Engineer in Queensland. He specialises in rotating machines, including centrifugal, screw and reciprocating compressors, gas turbines, steam turbines, engines, pumps, subsea, offshore rotating machines, LNG units, condition monitoring, and reliability. Amin is an active member of Engineers Australia, IMechE, ASME, CMVI, Vibration Institute, SPE, IEEE and IDGTE. He has authored more than 60 papers and articles dealing with rotating equipment, condition monitoring, offshore, subsea and reliability.