Thermal Analysis of Nuclear Power Plants

This book highlights the thermodynamics analysis methods for thermal systems in PWR nuclear power plants, encompassing both thermal balance and exergy analysis techniques.

The energy conversion efficiency in nuclear power plants has significant impact on their economy viability and market competitiveness. By examining the size, location and sources of energy loss within the thermal system of nuclear power plants, we can inform the design and operation to effectively enhance operational efficiency.

This book presents an overview of the thermal cycles utilized by various types of nuclear power plants, encompassing both Rankine and Brayton cycles. Additionally, it elucidates the primary factors that impact the thermal efficiency of these cycles, as well as the thermal balance method predicated on the first law of thermodynamics and exergy analysis method based on the second law. The rationality and effectiveness of energy utilization in the process of energy transmission and conversion in PWR nuclear power plant thermal systems are identified based on the results of thermal balance calculation and exergy analysis. Additionally, measures to enhance the energy utilization level of nuclear power plants are proposed.

This book is suitable for graduate students of nuclear energy science and engineering and senior undergraduates of nuclear engineering and nuclear technology and thermal energy engineering. It can also be used as a reference for technical personnel working in nuclear power plants.

The English translation of this book, originally in Chinese, was facilitated by artificial intelligence. The content was later revised by the author for accuracy.

Dr. Minjun Peng is a professor at Harbin Engineering University, China. He obtained his PhD in Marine Engineering from Harbin Engineering University, China in 2000. He was a visiting scholar at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, the USA from April to July 2012.

From 2018 to 2022, he served as a member of the Steering Committee for Teaching Informatization and Teaching Method Innovation in Higher Education Institutions under the Ministry of Education, China. He also held positions as Director of the Virtual Simulation Experiment Teaching Center for Nuclear Science and Technology under the Ministry of Education in 2014, and Deputy Director of the Key Laboratory of Nuclear Safety and Advanced Nuclear Energy Technology under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology in 2020.

His main research fields are nuclear power operation safety and simulation technology, and nuclear power intelligent operation and maintenance technology. He has won one second prize of China’s National Science and Technology Progress Awards, three first prizes of provincial and ministerial-level science and technology progress awards.

Dr. Zhaofei Tian is a professor at Harbin Engineering University, China. She received her PhD in nuclear energy science and engineering from Harbin Engineering University in 2006. Currently she serves as Director of Heilongjiang Energy and Environment Society. She has been engaged in research in reactor thermohydraulic, operation and simulation of nuclear power plants for over 25 years. As project leader and principal investigator, she carried out a number of projects including coupling technology on multi-physicalfields and digital reactor engineering technology. In the past decade, she has won a National Science and Technology Award of China and three first prizes of provincial and ministerial-level science and technology progress awards.

Dr. Genglei Xia is a professor at Harbin Engineering University, China. His main research fields are nuclear power operation safety and simulation technology. He received his PhD degree from Harbin Engineering University in 2014, and then spent two years as a postdoctoral fellow at Xi 'an Jiaotong University, China, focusing on the operation characteristics of water heat pipes. He has been funded by National Natural Science Foundation of China, China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, Natural Science Foundation of Heilongjiang Province of China, mainly on nuclear reactor thermal hydraulic related studies. He has focused mainly on research and development of energy systems, rotating machinery, and pipeline technology.

Dr. Hang Wang is an associate professor. He received his PhD degree in 2018 from Harbin Engineering University, China. He has been engaged in the research in artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms, and mechanism models in nuclear engineering related fields. He also has rich theoretical research experience in fault diagnosis, state evaluation, and remaining useful life prediction of nuclear power systems and equipment. He teaches undergraduate courses such as Nuclear Power Plants and Equipment and Introduction to Nuclear Science.