Influence of the reactor temperature characteristics upon the choice of the optimum thermodynamic cycle of an atomic-electrical generating station

Abstract

In this article we investigate the possible temperature changes in a nuclear energy station as a function of the thermal power of the reactor when there are two limiting temperatures: for the shell and for the center of the heat-emitting elements. We find the changes in the allowed thermal and electrical power of the unit as a function of the parameters of the thermodynamic cycle. We give the reader an understanding of the boundary thermal power of the reactor and the efficiency of the generator.

We also give the conditions under which the formulas which we have derived may be used for a preliminary calculation of the optimum parameters of the thermodynamic cycle. Our analysis gives the curves which show the increase in the parameters and the efficiency of the electrical generating station as a function of the material of which the shell is constructed and of the type of nuclear fuel used.