Graduation Semester and Year

2015

Language

English

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering

Department

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

First Advisor

Donald R Wilson

Abstract

With the decommissioning of ageing coal power plants due to outdated technology and high levels of air pollution, the advantages of overhauling existing infrastructure is twofold. First, by providing an alternate, sustainable fuel source, like nuclear power, the problem of air pollution can be brought to check. Second, utilizing existing steam plant infrastructure reduces initial investment costs and allows investors to keep the existing steam plant running until the new infrastructure is ready to go online.The focus of this research is to design and analyze the topping cycle required to support an existing 300 MW power plant based on the HiEff ModTM patent. The system is designed and simulated using the Numerical Propulsion System Simulation software. The highly robust solver uses a modified Newton-Raphson technique to iteratively find a solution to the set of non-linear equations. The use of compressor and turbine maps provides for quick and accurate analysis of the cycle off-design operation. The Brayton cycle is an indirectly fired gas turbine system that uses helium as the working fluid and a nuclear reactor as its heat source. The Brayton cycle is designed based on the existing steam cycle and both cycles are analyzed for part load performance.

Disciplines

Aerospace Engineering | Engineering | Mechanical Engineering

Comments

Degree granted by The University of Texas at Arlington

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