Heat transfer components, nuclear power

The basic components of the nuclear power unit are as follows the reactor, the system of power conversion, the system of power transfer (the coolant loop), the system of heat removal into the environment, and the unit of radiation protection. 

The reference thermal power conversion system consists of the heat transfer geometry surrounding the nuclear core cladding and the closed Biayton cycle components that convert the thermal power generated by the reactor into electrical power. A schematic drawing of the closed Biayton cycle system appears as Fig. 5.19, where the heat sink is the air-source heat exchanger, and the heat source is the reactor. 

The connection scheme developed by the European Projects HYTHEC and RAPHAEL (Le Duigou, 2007) represents a self-sustainable plant concept in which, in addition to the heat supply to the S-I cycle, the electrical demand of the internal consumers is provided by the nuclear reactor. The high temperature flow exiting the nuclear reactor transfers its heat via an IHX to a secondary loop which interacts with the components of the S-I cycle components. The high temperature heat flow is split and partially directed to the chemical part of the cycle and another part to a Brayton cycle for electricity production needed to power pumps, compressors, heat pumps and other auxiliaries. 

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