Thermodynamic analysis of a Brayton cycle system for a space power reactor
LI Zhi, YANG Xiaoyong, WANG Jie, ZHANG Zuoyi
Key Laboratory of Advanced Reactor Engineering and Safety of Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Advanced Nuclear Energy Technology, Institute of Nuclear and New Energy Technology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
Abstract：The land-use closed Brayton cycle system has high energy conversion efficiencies in a compact configuration. The Brayton cycle can be used in space nuclear plants with some modifications. This paper uses a mathematical model developed using Fortran computer language for a space Brayton cycle system to optimize the working fluid for power conversion units in a space power reactor to improve the design of space power reactors. The results show that xenon reduces the cycle's efficiency and specific power as the xenon mole fraction increases. However, a proper amount of xenon will reduce the enthalpy changes in the turbomachine, which is good for the system's aerodynamics. Helium and xenon have complementary advantages for the system's thermodynamic and aerodynamic performance. By mixing helium working fluid with appropriate amount of xenon, the Brayton cycle system gives better space reactor designs by decreasing the number of compressors and heat exchangers.
李智, 杨小勇, 王捷, 张作义. 空间反应堆Brayton循环的热力学特性[J]. 清华大学学报（自然科学版）, 2017, 57(5): 537-543,549.
LI Zhi, YANG Xiaoyong, WANG Jie, ZHANG Zuoyi. Thermodynamic analysis of a Brayton cycle system for a space power reactor. Journal of Tsinghua University(Science and Technology), 2017, 57(5): 537-543,549.
王捷. 高温气冷堆氦气透平循环热工特性的初步研究[J]. 高技术通讯, 2002, 12(9): 91-95.WANG Jie. Preliminary study on thermal features for high temperature gas-cooled reactor gas turbine cycle [J]. High Technology Letters, 2002, 12(9): 91-95. (in Chinese)
[2]
XU Yuanhui, ZUO Kaifen. Overview of the 10 MW high temperature gas cooled reactor-test module project [J]. Nuclear Engineering and Design, 2002, 218 (1-3): 13-23.
[3]
Kiryushin A I, Kodochigov N G. Project of the GT-MHR high-temperature helium reactor with gas turbine [J]. Nuclear Engineering and Design, 1997, 173(1-3): 119-129.
[4]
任啟森, 杨小勇. 高温气冷堆氦气透平循环工质的热物性 [J]. 汽轮机技术 2006, 48(2): 93-94.REN Qisen, YANG Xiaoyong. Thermophysical property of working fluid of high temperature gas-cooled reactor helium gas turbine cycle [J]. Turbine Technology, 2006, 48(2): 93-94. (in Chinese)
[5]
龙艳丽. 高负荷氦气压气机气动设计及性能研究[D]. 哈尔滨: 哈尔滨工程大学, 2012. LONG Yanli. Aerodynamic Design and Performance Research on the High-Loaded Helium Compressor[D]. Harbin: Harbin Engineering University, 2012. (in Chinese)
[6]
Cohen H, Rogers G F C, Saravanamuttoo H I H. Gas Turbine Theory[M]. 3rd ed. New York: Longman Scientific & Technical, 1987.
[7]
El-Genk M S, Tournier J M. Noble gas, binary mixtures for commercial gas-cooled reactor power plants[J].Nuclear Engineering and Design, 2008, 238(6): 1353-1372.
[8]
Tournier J M, El-Genk M S. Properties of noble gases and binary mixtures for closed Brayton cycle applications[J].Energy Conversion and Management, 2008, 49(3): 469-492.
[9]
Haire M A, Vargo D D. Review of helium and xenon pure component and mixture transport properties and recommendation of estimating approach for project Prometheus[C]//Space Technology and Applications International Forum. Albuquerque, NM, USA, 2007: 557-570.
[10]
朱善明. 工程热力学[M]. 北京: 清华大学出版社, 1995. ZHU Shanming. Engineering Thermodynamics[M]. Beijing: Tsinghua University Press, 1995. (in Chinese)
[11]
蔡章生. 核动力反应堆中子动力学[M]. 北京: 国防工业出版社, 2005. CAI Zhangsheng. Study on Neutron Kinetics of Nuclear Reactor[M]. Beijing: National Defence Industry Press, 2005. (in Chinese)
[12]
顾义华. 高温气冷堆气体透平循环及透平压气机基本特性研究[D]. 北京: 清华大学, 2003. GU Yihua. Fundamental Study on HTGR Gas Turbine Cycle and Associated Turbocompressor[D]. Beijing: Tsinghua University, 2003. (in Chinese)
[13]
段承杰. 二氧化碳透平循环研究及其在先进核能系统中的运用[D]. 北京: 清华大学, 2011. DUAN Chengjie. Study on Characteristics of CO<sub>2</sub> Turbine Cycle and Its Application in Advanced Nuclear System[D]. Beijing: Tsinghua University, 2011. (in Chinese)
[14]
Tournier J M, Mohamed S E G. Best estimates of binary gas mixtures properties for closed Brayton cyclespace applications[C]//4th International Energy Conversion Engineering Conference and Exhibit. San Diego, CA: IECEC, 2006: 1-14.
[15]
Mohamed S E G, Tournier J M. Noble-gas binary mixtures for closed brayton cycle space reactor power systems[J].Journal of Propulsion and Power, 2007, 23(4): 863-873.
2017, Vol. 57 
