Evaluation of high temperature gas reactor for demanding cogeneration load follow

Figures & data

Figure 1. Overview of the GTHTR300C plant arrangement.

Figure 2. The GTHTR300C plant process control designed for cogeneration load follow of electricity and high-temperature heat or further hydrogen.

Table 1. Base heat and power cogeneration parameters.

	Reactor	IHX heat rate	Gas turbine
Power	600 MWt	170 MWt	203 MWe
Temperature	950°C outlet	900°C heat sent out	850°C turbine inlet
Pressure	5 MPa	5 MPa	5 MPa
Gas flow	325 kg/s	81 kg/s (secondary loop)	325 kg/s

Figure 3. Simulation of a loss of heat load.

Table 2. Estimated creep damage to IHX per event of loss of heat.

	Metal temperature	Pressure load	Thermal stress
Peak value	950°C	0.14 MPa	20 MPa
Creep damage	4.4 × 10^−6	4.0 × 10^−8	0.0083

Figure 4. Mixer of control flow with main flow to develop uniform gas temperature prior to turbine inlet.

Figure 5. Simulation of a loss of grid electric load.

Table 3. Estimated creep damage to IHX per event of loss of electric load.

	Metal temperature	Pressure load	Thermal stress
Peak value	936°C	0.94 MPa	25 MPa
Creep damage	1.6 × 10^−6	0.0025	0.005

Figure 6. Simulation of variable electricity and heat cogeneration to follow +5%/min grid electric load peaking.

Figure 7. Alternative designs of a single-valve unit (left) and a multi-valve unit of equivalent duty and same graphic scale.

Figure 8. Simulation of transits from the base cogeneration to standalone power generation and then back with the reactor remaining in full power.