Structural and operational optimization of the phase transition accumulator during operation as part of a nuclear power plant based on long-term durability

• Published in: IOP conference series. Materials Science and Engineering 2020-03, Vol.791 (1), p.12020
• Main Authors: Yurin, V E, Moskalenko, A B
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accumulation; Accumulators; Computational fluid dynamics; Economic analysis; Economic impact; Heat exchange; Nuclear electric power generation; Nuclear power plants; Optimization; Payback periods; Phase transitions; Service life; Stress distribution; Three dimensional models; Wall thickness
• ISSN: 1757-8981; 1757-899X
• DOI: 10.1088/1757-899X/791/1/012020

The purpose of the article is the operational optimization of the heat accumulation system taking into account the requirements of the energy market, daily differentiated tariffs and the influence of a specific operating regime on the main equipment performance using the example of a phase transition accumulator installed at a nuclear power plant. There was developed a three-dimensional model for the non-statutory process of flowing fluids and heat-accumulating material hardening which comes as a result of the heat transfer and the stress field exchange between them. The service life of 3D models with various collector wall thicknesses was calculated. There was performed the calculation of the economic effect and payback period for options being compared based on of phase transition accumulator operating cycle, his performance with various collector metal wall thickness. The performance change in the economic analyses is based on the useful lives change while the change in daily operating time is based on the power generation change. As a result, the research shows that the most profitable option for accumulated net income is to use a collector with an accumulator wall thickness of 40 mm and the following operation mode: 5 hours charge + 16 hours discharge.