Research on Power Generation Technologies for Low-Grade Waste Heat in Nuclear Power Plants

doi:10.12096/j.2096-4528.pgt.25092

Abstract

Abstract:

Objectives To address the issue of marine thermal pollution caused by the direct discharge of low-grade waste heat from nuclear power plants, it is imperative to explore efficient solutions to reduce thermal discharge loads. Therefore, by the characteristics of different types of waste heat sources and their potential of power generation are systematically evaluating to provide thermo-economic data basis for waste heat utilization in nuclear power plants. Methods The characteristics of different types of low-grade waste heat in nuclear power plants are summarized, and different utilization methods of waste heat and their current development status are analyzed. Three types of power generation technologies suitable for this waste heat are introduced, and their thermo-economic performance and the recovery potential of different waste heat sources are comparatively analyzed through actual case studies. Results The energy quality coefficient of the secondary loop condensate saturated water in nuclear power plants is the highest, showing the greatest potential for power generation utilization. Moreover, the organic Rankine cycle (ORC) demonstrates optimal thermo-economic performance as a waste heat power generation solution, achieving the lowest levelized cost of electricity at $0.037 6/(kW⋅h), which is 84% and 78% lower than that of the ejector organic flash cycle and the Kalina cycle, respectively. ORC achieves a generation capacity of 462.2 kW, demonstrating good feasibility. In the scenario of recovering waste heat from the low-pressure turbine exhaust, the ORC can reduce thermal discharge by 360.3 MW, showing significant environmental benefits. Conclusions Waste heat power generation technologies such as the ORC can significantly reduce thermal discharge loads into the sea, providing important references for low-grade waste heat utilization and thermal pollution reduction in China’s nuclear power plants.

Key words: nuclear power, waste heat power generation, thermal pollution prevention and control, low-grade waste heat recovery, organic Rankine cycle (ORC), ejector organic flash cycle (EOFC), Kalina cycle (KC), thermo-economic feasibility analysis

CLC Number:

TK 123

Yazhuo ZHAO, Wenjie ZHANG, Yinghui LIAO, Jinlei LIN, Rongyong ZHANG, Yuanyuan DUAN. Research on Power Generation Technologies for Low-Grade Waste Heat in Nuclear Power Plants[J]. Power Generation Technology, 2025, 46(4): 818-828.

Figures/Tables 9

References 57

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余热来源	状态	温度/℃	压力/kPa	流量/(kg/s)	干度
低压缸乏汽	气液共存	41.7	8.10	828.30	0.911 4
凝结饱和水	液态	96.7	90.04	79.50	0
温排水	液态	29.6	101.33	60 624.55	0

余热来源	状态	温度/℃	压力/kPa	流量/(kg/s)	干度
低压缸乏汽	气液共存	41.7	8.10	828.30	0.911 4
凝结饱和水	液态	96.7	90.04	79.50	0
温排水	液态	29.6	101.33	60 624.55	0

余热利用方式	适用的余热源	优点	缺点
农业种植^［12］、水产养殖^［13-15］	二回路低压缸乏汽和三回路温排水	排海热负荷低、经济性好、环境污染小	所需的温室面积与水产养殖面积极大，难以消纳全部的低品位余热
市政与工业供热^［16-28］	二回路低压缸乏汽、凝结饱和水、三回路温排水	可满足大量供热需求，环保效益好	供热管路布置范围远、热损耗高、输送成本高；受供热端需求影响大，季节性明显
海水淡化^［29-31］	二回路凝结饱和水	可实现水电联产，缓解核电机组远程取淡水、用淡水压力	淡化成本高、设备寿命短，淡化后废弃物处理难度大

余热利用方式	适用的余热源	优点	缺点
农业种植^［12］、水产养殖^［13-15］	二回路低压缸乏汽和三回路温排水	排海热负荷低、经济性好、环境污染小	所需的温室面积与水产养殖面积极大，难以消纳全部的低品位余热
市政与工业供热^［16-28］	二回路低压缸乏汽、凝结饱和水、三回路温排水	可满足大量供热需求，环保效益好	供热管路布置范围远、热损耗高、输送成本高；受供热端需求影响大，季节性明显
海水淡化^［29-31］	二回路凝结饱和水	可实现水电联产，缓解核电机组远程取淡水、用淡水压力	淡化成本高、设备寿命短，淡化后废弃物处理难度大

参数	数值
工质泵等熵效率η_pump	0.8
膨胀机等熵效率η_tur	0.8
电动机效率η_motor	0.98
发电机效率η_gen	0.98