Modelling of different cogeneration technologies in a power generating unit with pwr reactor in the context of a future polish nuclear power station

This paper focuses on the analysis of technical possibilities of a nuclear combined heat and power (NCHP) unit. The possibility of implementing a cogeneration unit in the cooperation with a typical PWR (Pressurized Water Reactor) is assessed by means of the numerical modelling of a process. The base for the model are operational parameters of Ascó Nuclear Power Station in Spain. The power plant employs a PWR reactor with more than 1000 MWe capacity. It is similar in size to a power plant which is planned to be built in Poland. Economic analysis of Tricity region have shown that the optimal amount of heat to be extracted is approximately 270 MWt. The investigated possibilities of heat extraction were the by-pass of a turbine, steam bleeding and partial removal of heat from the network of regenerating heat exchangers. Each of the methods has been assessed based on the criteria of electric power production drop, utilisation factor, weighted utilisation factor and interference with the base operational parameters. It was observed that the extraction of heat may lead to the increase of a power plant economy and fuel utilisation factor.