Relative Thermal Performance of Carbon Dioxide and Helium in Nuclear-Power Cycles Free

Analytical comparison is made of the relative heat-transfer-area requirements of carbon dioxide and helium in nuclear-powered gas-turbine cycles and gas cooled reactor–steam turbine systems. Helium is shown to require considerably less heat-transfer area than carbon dioxide in equivalent direct gas-turbine cycles. However, conclusion as to which gas should be considered to have the better heat-transfer characteristics for use in gas cooled reactor–steam turbine systems is indefinite for it appears to depend on the basis of comparison used.