THERMAL POWER SYSTEM WITH GAS-COOLED REACTOR Russian patent published in 2001 - IPC

FIELD: thermal engineering; high-temperature heat sources using nuclear reactors. SUBSTANCE: system is used as high-temperature heat supply, Stirling engine, cogeneration power unit for off-line loads. Heat produced in reactor 3 is transferred by means of gaseous coolant (helium) circulating in loop 1. Stirling engine 5 converts high-temperature heat obtained into mechanical energy which is used to drive electric generator 22 for producing electrical energy. Engine 5 is cooled by means of cooling loop 17 that incorporates cooling heat exchanger 20. Steam produced in steam generator 7 is superheated at high pressure in heating heat exchanger 6. Steam is expanded in turbine 9 and performs useful work converted into electrical energy in generator 10. Condensate coming from condenser 11 is passed to steam-water heating pump 12 whereto steam is supplied together with condensate over line 13 through control valve 14. Steam is intensively mixed up with condensate in steam-water heating pump 12 with the result that high-temperature and high-pressure heated condensate is produced. Heated condensate is conveyed to steam generator 7 under this pressure. Steam flow direction is controlled by means of check valves 15 and 16. Cooling heat exchanger 20 communicates with condenser 11 through external heat supply system 21. EFFECT: enhanced efficiency of unit, reduced auxiliary power requirement, provision for heat and power cogeneration. 1 cl, 1 dwg