Analysis of the efficiency of utilizing low-potential heat from the hydrogen complex in the NPP’s power unit

   The work is dedicated to the analysis of the efficiency of utilization of low-potential heat of the hydrogen complex at the NPP power unit. A new scheme for the integration of hydrogen technologies into an existing energy facility has been developed with an assessment of the economic efficiency of the event. It is shown that due to the utilization of low-potential heat obtained during the production of hydrogen by electrolysis, it is possible to increase the available capacity of nuclear power plants, which will ensure an increase in hydrogen production while reducing the cost. The object of integration, the Kola NPP, was selected and justified. Simulation modeling of the thermal circuit of a nuclear power plant power unit with a K-220-44 turbine unit in the United Cycle CAD, modeling of the hydrogen electrolysis process in the Aspen HYSYS program, with determination of the potential of waste heat in a hydrogen generating plant, as well as mathematical modeling using probabilistic estimation techniques to determine the main parameters of the economic efficiency of implementation, were chosen as research methods events. The paper calculates the theoretical possible volume of hydrogen generation at the Kola NPP, which amounted to 6,46∙108 m³/year. An increase in power by 6,24 MW at the terminals of electric generators is shown due to the utilization of thermal energy of low potential electrolysis plants for two power units of the station. An assessment of the economic efficiency of the introduction of a heat recovery unit into the production cycle of a nuclear power plant has been carried out. An increase in the theoretical possible volume of hydrogen generation by 3∙104 m³/day was obtained, which gives the expected annual economic effect from the introduction of the technology of 195∙104 $/year.

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