Influence of cooling water temperature on the efficiency of a pressurized-water reactor nuclear-power plant

Abstract

SUMMARYIn this study, the influence of the cooling water temperature on the thermal efficiency of a conceptual pressurized-water reactor nuclear-power plant is studied through an energy analysis based on the first law of thermodynamics to gain some new insights into the plant performance. The change in the cooling water temperature can be experienced due to the seasonal changes in climatic conditions at plant site. It can also come into the question of design processes for the plant site selection. In the analysis, it is considered that the condenser vacuum varies with the temperature of cooling water extracted from environment into the condenser. The main findings of the paper is that the impact of 18C increase in temperature of the coolant extracted from environment is predicted to yield a decrease of $0.45 and $0.12% in the power output and the thermal efficiency of the pressurized-water reactor nuclear-power plant considered, respectively.

Analysis of Factors Affecting Thermodynamic Efficiency in Generation III+ PWR Nuclear Power Plants.

“…One such explanation is the position of the condensing step in Rankine cycle, which can be seen in Fig.1-2. The efficiency of other parameters is dependent on the condenser pressure value, and varying it has a direct effect on all steps in the cycle (11,12).…”

“…No relationship was observable between condenser pressure and efficiency. Previous studies (11)(12)(13) and the laws of thermodynamics tell us that this relationship exists; however it appears to be more difficult to optimise directly, due to the complexity of the balance of plant introduced by this parameter, as well as the dependence of other parameters on the value of condenser pressure having a 'knock on' effect.…”

Promoting Green Electricity through Differentiated Electricity Tax Schemes

“…Even considering the gradual impacts of climate change, the accumula on of rela vely small 4. In the case of nuclear plants, a 1 °C increase in the temperature of the cooling water yields a decrease of 0.12-0.45% in the power output (Durmaya and Sogul, 2006). 1 3 4 changes in performance will have a signi cant impact on the availability of genera ng capacity and change the cost of electricity.…”

Simulation of Weather Impacts on the Wholesale Electricity Market

“…For instance, the availability of the water influences not only the outputs of the hydropower plants, but also the capacity of other types of generation such as coal-fired plants as water would be needed for their cooling towers. Besides, the temperature does have influences on the efficiency of the generation due to the Carnot's theorem [19].…”