Entropy and exergy analysis and optimization of the VVER nuclear power plant with a capacity of 1000 MW using the firefly optimization algorithm

• Published in: Nuclear engineering and technology 2020, 52(12), , pp.2928-2938
• Main Authors: Talebi, Saeed, Norouzi, Nima
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Energy conversion; Exergy; Firefly optimization; Nuclear power plant; Pressure water reactors; Second law analysis; 원자력공학
• ISSN: 1738-5733; 2234-358X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.net.2020.05.011

A light water nuclear Reactor has been exergy analyzed, and the rate of irreversible exergy loss and exergy destruction is calculated for each of its components. The ratio of these losses compared to the total input exergy loss is calculated, which shows that most irreversible losses occur in the reactors, turbines, steam generators, respectively, as well as in the downstream operations. The main aim of this paper is to optimize the power plant using an innovative firefly algorithm and then to propose a novel strategy to improve the overall performance of the plant. As shown in the results, the exergy destruction rate of the plant decreased by 1.18% using the firefly method, and the exergy efficiency of the plant reached 29.3% comparing to the operational amount of 28.99%. Also, the results of the firefly optimization process compared to the Genetic algorithm and gravitational search algorithm to study the accuracy of the model for exergy analysis fitness problems in the power plants and the results of this comparison has shown that the results are nearly similar in the mentioned methods. However, the firefly is faster and more accurate in limited iterations. •Iranian Bushehr reactor can be developed to a 1000 MW electricity generation power plant.•The firefly optimization method is the most reliable technic for thermodynamic optimization.•Exergy analysis is more accurate for performance analysis in the nuclear power plants.•A fossil-nuclear hybrid plant show better performance compared to the stand-alone nuclear plants.