Primary System Preliminary Design for Gas Turbine HTGR Power Plant Free

The Gas Turbine High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor (GT-HTGR) power plant combines the existing HTGR core with a closed-cycle helium gas turibne power-conversion system directly in the reactor primary circuit. An integrated design concept in which the reactor core, turbomachinery, heat exchangers, and entire helium inventory are enclosed within the prestressed concrete reactor vessel (PCRV) was selected on the basis of both safety and economic reasons. Th layout of the power-conversion loop (PCL) components, with envelope restraints associated with installation in cavities in the PCRV, and development of the primary system gas flow paths are discussed. This paper outlines the studies which led to the selection of the primary system for an integrated type of plant embodying multiple gas turbine loops. With orientation and configuration of the major components in the PCL forming the basis of these studies, some of the preliminary design considerations for the turbomachinery, heat exchangers, and other components are discussed. The high potential for further improvement in plant efficiency and capacity, for both advanced dry-cooled and waste heat power cycle versions of the direct cycle nuclear gas turbine, is also discussed.