Comparative thermodynamic and economic analyses of combined heat and power plants with SMR and HTGR reactors
Porównawcza analiza termodynamiczna i ekonomiczna elektrociepłowni z reaktorami SMR i HTGR
Ryszard Bartnik, Zbigniew Buryn, Anna Hnydiuk-Stefan, Waldemar Skomudek
Streszczenie
This paper presents a comparative thermodynamic and economic analysis of combined heat and power (CHP) plants
utilizing Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactors (HTGRs) designed for use in largescale
and distributed power generation. The study focuses on the differences between these two reactor types in CHP
applications, highlighting their respective efficiencies and economic viabilities. The analysis reveals that CHP plants with
HTGR reactors demonstrate significantly higher thermodynamic and economic efficiency compared to those with SMR
reactors. This superiority is attributed to three main factors: the higher electrical efficiency of HTGR-based plants, lower
investment costs for HTGR reactors, and consequently, more cost-effective electricity production in HTGR-based CHPs. The
paper provides detailed thermodynamic calculations and economic assessments, including unit costs of heat production under
various scenarios. It also discusses the advantages of locating these small-scale nuclear CHP plants closer to consumers,
eliminating the need for extensive transmission networks. The findings suggest that HTGR-based CHP plants offer a more
promising solution for future energy systems, including those operating in local power structures, particularly when
considering gas-gas technology implementations that do not require water for operation, addressing a key limitation of both
SMR and HTGR systems in conventional configurations.
utilizing Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactors (HTGRs) designed for use in largescale
and distributed power generation. The study focuses on the differences between these two reactor types in CHP
applications, highlighting their respective efficiencies and economic viabilities. The analysis reveals that CHP plants with
HTGR reactors demonstrate significantly higher thermodynamic and economic efficiency compared to those with SMR
reactors. This superiority is attributed to three main factors: the higher electrical efficiency of HTGR-based plants, lower
investment costs for HTGR reactors, and consequently, more cost-effective electricity production in HTGR-based CHPs. The
paper provides detailed thermodynamic calculations and economic assessments, including unit costs of heat production under
various scenarios. It also discusses the advantages of locating these small-scale nuclear CHP plants closer to consumers,
eliminating the need for extensive transmission networks. The findings suggest that HTGR-based CHP plants offer a more
promising solution for future energy systems, including those operating in local power structures, particularly when
considering gas-gas technology implementations that do not require water for operation, addressing a key limitation of both
SMR and HTGR systems in conventional configurations.