Hybrid Nuclear Energy Systems: A Sustainable Solution for the 21st Century

By Michael F. Keller

Hybrid Nuclear Energy Systems: A Sustainable Solution for the 21st Century provides practical insights on the environmental impact of the hybrid systems discussed, as well as important technical, economic, licensing and safety considerations. This book acts as a guide for the implementation of hybrid energy systems and authoritatively compares the benefits and possible downfalls of each technology. This enables the reader to analyze their own setting or research and evaluate the most economical and effective solution. Energy engineering researchers and professional engineers will benefit from the practical and technical approach of this book.

This book will also benefit regulators and economists who will gain a clear understanding of how a hybrid system is not only designed, but also how societies will benefit from a cleaner and more abundant energy source.

• Provides a comprehensive analysis of hybrid energy systems and their associated benefits and possible shortcomings
• Provides the latest technical, environmental, economic, safety and regulatory research
• Ranks key energy production methods against novel hybrid systems to highlight possibilities

• Language: English
• Publisher: Academic Press
• Release date: Jan 30, 2021
• ISBN: 9780128241080

Michael F. Keller

Michael F. Keller is a veteran of the energy industry and has been heavily involved with the design, construction and operation of both nuclear and fossil fired generating plants. This wide ranging and extensive practical experience is balanced with advanced technical and business degrees. The Hybrid-nuclear technology invented and patented by the author grew from insights into the fundamental characteristics of gas turbines and nuclear reactors coupled with involvement in the business of selling energy. The author is a Professional Engineer in the U.S. State of Kansas, holds a Bachelor of Science, University of Virginia, a Master of Science, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a Master of Business Administration, Saint Martin’s College and the Senior Reactor Operator Site Certificate. This book is the culmination of a more than 10-year effort to develop this practical integration of energy resources.

Book preview

Hybrid Nuclear Energy Systems

A sustainable solution for the 21st Century

First Edition

Michael F. Keller

Table of Contents

Cover image

Title page

Copyright

Preface of the Series Editor

Preface

Disclaimer

Terminology

Introduction: Energy

/Problems

Chapter One: Overview

Abstract

Historical perspective

Innovation

Hybrid Vision

Hybrid Mission

Hybrid Key Features

Chapter Two: Background

Abstract

Historical perspective

Power

Power

Power

Power

Power

Power

Grid Characteristics

Chapter Three: Combinations

Abstract

Historical perspective

Nuclear Hybrid

The Hybrid

The Hybrid

The Hybrid

The Hybrid

End-Notes

Chapter Four: Uses

Abstract

Historical perspective

Chapter Five: Environment

Abstract

Historical perspective

Summary

Contrasts

Contrasts

Contrasts

Contrasts

Contrasts

Contrasts

Contrasts

Contrasts

Contrasts

Contrasts

Contrasts

Contrasts

Contrasts

Contrasts

Contrasts

Contrasts

Contrasts

Rankings

Rankings

End Notes

Chapter Six: Financial

Abstract

Historical perspective

Chapter Seven: Technical

Abstract

Historical perspective

Engineered Qualities

Plant Overview

Cycle Overview

Elevation Overview

Plot Overview

Reactor System

Reactor

Reactor

Reactor

Reactor

Heat Exchangers

Control

He Turbo-Machinery

He Turbo-Machinery

Turbo-Machinery

Electrical Overview

Readiness

Thermal Cycle

Thermal Cycle

Contrasts

Contrasts

Contrasts

Contrasts

Contrasts

Contrasts

Contrasts

Contrast

Rankings

Rankings

End Notes

End Notes

End Notes

End Notes

End Notes

End Notes

Chapter Eight: Safety

Abstract

Historical perspective

Overview

Summary

In-depth Protection

Key Capabilities

Core Cooling Methods

Reactor Heat Removal

Decay Heat Removal

Decay Heat Removal

Passive Barriers

Contrasts

Contrasts

Contrasts

Contrasts

Contrasts

Contrast

Contrast

Contrast

Contrast

Contrast

Rankings

Rankings

Chapter Nine: Licensing

Abstract

Historical perspective¹

Chapter Ten: Advanced Reactor Issues

Abstract

Historical perspective

Overview

Development

Development

The Department of Energy

Overregulation

Overregulation

Overregulation

Overregulation

Overregulation

Overregulation

Overregulation

Last Fatal Flaw

Strategic Threat

End Notes

End Notes

End Notes

End Notes

End Notes

Chapter Eleven: Status

Abstract

Historical perspective

Poised to Move Ahead

Path Forward

Chapter Twelve: Conclusion

Abstract

Historical perspective

Appendix A: Ranking and Grading

Appendix B: Safety classes

Safety Classes

Safety Classes

Safety Classes

Safety Classes

Safety Classes

Appendix C: Pollutants

Pollutants

Pollutants

Pollutants

Appendix D: Gas reactors

Gas Reactors

Gas Reactors

Gas Reactors

Gas Reactors

Gas Reactors

Gas Reactors

Gas Reactors

Gas Reactors

Appendix E: NRC Safety Goals

NRC Safety Goals

Appendix F: Hybrid/All-Nuclear

Hybrid All Nuclear

Hybrid/Enhanced Coal-gas

Hybrid/Enhanced Coal-Gas

Hybrid/ All-Nuclear

Hybrid/ All-Nuclear

Appendix G: Hybrid Principal Design Criteria

Introduction

Criteria

Appendix H: Key Summaries

Appendix I: DOE Shortcomings and Remedies

Appendix J: Quality Assurance Policy

Hybrid Quality Assurance Programmatic Policy Preamble

I. Organization

II. Program

III. Design Control

III. Design Control (continued)

IV. Procurement Control

V. Instructions, Procedures, and Drawings

VI. Document Control

VII. Purchased Material, Equipment, and Services

VIII. Materials, Parts, and Components

IX. Special Processes

X. Inspections

XI. Test Control

XII. Measuring and Test Equipment

XIII. Handling, Storage, and Shipping

XIV. Inspection, Test, and Operating Status

XV. Nonconformance

XVI. Corrective Action

XVII. Records

XVIII. Audits

Appendix K: Hybrid Solutions

Hybrid Solutions

Hybrid Solutions

Hybrid Solutions

Hybrid Solutions

Appendix L: US Power Markets

References

Credentials: Biography

Michael F. Keller

Papers and Lectures

Index

Copyright

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Notices

Knowledge and best practice in this field are constantly changing. As new research and experience broaden our understanding, changes in research methods, professional practices, or medical treatment may become necessary.

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ISBN 978-0-12-824107-3

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Preface of the Series Editor

James G. Speight, CD&W, Inc., Laramie, WY, United States

Hybrid energy systems are defined as the integration of several types of energy generation equipment such as electrical energy generators, electrical energy storage systems, and renewable energy sources.¹ They represent a very promising sustainable solution for power generation in standalone applications. Technology will continue to evolve in the future, so that it will have wider applicability and lower costs. There will be more standardized designs, and it will be easier to select a system suited to particular applications. There will be increased communication between components, facilitating control, monitoring, and diagnosis. Finally, there will be increased use of power electric converters. Power electronic devices are already used in many hybrid systems, and as costs go down and reliability improves, they are expected to be used more and more.

This series provides a medium for publishing up-to-date research and explaining the concepts behind the development of hybrid technology systems, including advances in theories, developments, principles and bridges to practical case studies and applications in the overarching subjects related to advancing the energy mix. The intended audience are researchers, engineers, and managers in energy engineering, petroleum engineering, pipeline engineering, offshore engineering, nuclear engineering, and environmental engineering.

My hope is that this series drives forward the energy transition needed to meet all of the world’s energy demands in a sustainable and economically viable way.

---

¹ https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/hybrid-energy-system (Accessed on January 13, 2021).

Preface

Michael F. Keller, Professional Engineer, State of Kansas

The objective of this text is to introduce a new approach to electrical energy production. The text also helps to broaden an understanding of energy production in general and an innovative new Hybrid technology in particular. The implications on modern society of our energy choices are also studied.

The concept bases for this ground-breaking hybrid technology are examined, including discussions of major elements required for success in a competitive power industry.

Comparisons are made with other forms of energy production. These contrasts are generally on a relative basis, as opposed to absolute standards. The comparisons, while helpful, are not intended for drawing universal conclusions.

This heavily illustrated text is aimed at the general public, students, energy professionals, the financial community, politicians, and government regulators. Important considerations are simply introduced, evaluated, and a summary of conclusions is provided. Detailed information is also offered to aid independent investigations and studies involving: the environment, economics, public safety, and the hybrid’s technical characteristics.

The text is organized into the following chapters:

More detailed technical information is typically contained in page footnotes and chapter end notes. Collectively, this information promotes a broader understanding of energy production and the various considerations that collectively must be addressed to successfully provide energy in our modern society.

This concept builds on the pioneering closed-cycle gas turbine work of Hans Ulrich Frutschi, Dr. Curt Keller, and Jacob Ackert.

In summary, the text provides insights into a unique hybrid-nuclear solution for sustainably and affordably meeting the world’s energy needs. This distinctive solution uses environmentally sound methods involving the marriage of nuclear and fossil fuels.

Disclaimer

Hybrid Power Technologies LLC makes no warranty, expressed or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. References herein to any specific product, process, or service by tradename, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise do not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by Hybrid Power Technologies LLC.

© 2020 by Hybrid Power Technologies LLC. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior express written permission of Hybrid Power Technologies LLC or Michael F. Keller, the author of this document.

Terminology

Table I

Introduction: Energy

/Problems

Illustration I Need

The world’s population is approaching 8 billion people. Energy is critical for survival of our modern civilization. Yet, our energy options are dwindling.

Coal, the historical backbone of energy production, has fallen out of favor due to environmental concerns. Nuclear power’s role is diminishing as a result of excessive costs and fear of radioactive accidents.

Natural gas has environmental benefits, but supplies are limited. Green energy offers many advantages, but the intermittent nature of the resource is difficult to integrate with the needs of modern society.

Enormous interest is emerging in the development of small reactors that some view as nuclear power’s savior. However, the machines’ competitiveness and practical usefulness remain very much in doubt.

Given the enormity of our energy needs and challenges, removing energy resources is unhelpful. The small nuclear celebration may be premature. Natural gas and green energy are unlikely able to shoulder our entire energy future. However, there is another path.

Illustration II Solution

A completely new approach to the production of electricity and energy has been developed in the United States. The hybrid-nuclear technology integrates the use of fossil and nuclear fuels and renewable resources. The hybrid is based on the use of a small reactor and a combustion turbine. The approach is a unique application of a more general method, where several energy resources are hybridized to achieve the more efficient use of energy.

The innovation significantly improves our ability to provide a fully sustainable energy future that is both cost-effective and environmentally friendly.

Chapter One: Overview

Abstract

Observations on innovations in general. The vision, mission, and key features of the Hybrid-Nuclear technology are discussed.

Keywords

Innovation; Founders; Solutions; Vision; Mission; Fail-safe

Historical perspective

The development of technology generally occurs as the result of incremental evolutionary steps that collectively produce more cost effective products. However, occasionally innovations arise that are both unexpected and transformational.

Illustration 1.1 Innovation.

Innovation

Innovation can be simply defined as new ideas, creative thoughts, and new imaginations in the form of a device or method. However, innovation is often also viewed as the application of better solutions that meet new requirements, unarticulated needs, or existing market needs. Such innovation takes place through the provision of more-effective products, processes, services, technologies, or business models that are made available to markets, governments and society. The term innovation can be defined as something original and more effective and, as a consequence, new, that breaks into the market or society. Innovations tend to be produced by outsiders and founders in startups, rather than in existing organizations. Innovation is related to, but not the same as invention, as innovation is more apt to involve the practical implementation of an invention (i.e. new/improved ability) to make a meaningful impact in the market or society. Also not all innovations require an invention. Innovation often manifests itself via the engineering process, when the problem being solved is of a technical or scientific nature. The opposite of innovation is stagnation. WIKIPEDIA.

The Hybrid-Nuclear innovation is an original and more effective energy production machine developed outside of mainstream organizations, including governments. The Hybrid-Nuclear technology is in the early stages of the engineering development that is necessary to subsequently enter and succeed in the marketplace.

Hybrid Vision

Illustration 1.2 Vision.

The vision of the Hybrid-Nuclear technology is to achieve energy sustainability through the reasonably clean integrated use of all energy resources. The planet has ample resources to accommodate the population, but not if available, widespread fuel resources are excluded, as driven by overly idealistic environmental standards. Rather, the reasonable-man standard should be applied while relying on technology innovation and free markets to incrementally improve the planet’s ecosystem. Attempts to use the heavy-hand of excessive government regulations driven by extremism only serve to ensure the continued poverty of large segments of the world’s population.

Hybrid Mission

Illustration 1.3 Mission.

The objective of Hybrid-Nuclear energy is to significantly improve both nuclear reactors and gas turbines in terms of cost-effectiveness, efficiency, environmental impacts, and public safety. This is achieved through the innovative integration of the fundamental strengths of the two technologies.

Hybrid Key Features

The Hybrid is a completely new and unique marriage of fossil and nuclear technologies. Although the approach is new, the Hybrid does not represent a cutting edge technology at the outer fringe of practical development and deployment. Rather, the exclusive approach allows existing advanced machines to be merged into a product that is significantly better than the original technologies.

The ability to use a reactor and gas turbine supports a wide variety of uses that are ordinarily not possible by nuclear and fossil energy technologies acting alone.

The Hybrid’s unique approach achieves massive reductions in the environmental impacts that are normally present with the separate use of nuclear and fossil fuels. This is all accomplished with an absolutely fail-safe reactor that protects both the public and environment using diverse, in-depth passive features. No operator action, water, or electrical power are required to maintain superior safety. The Hybrid’s very simple approach to nuclear safety significantly reduces the complexities of the regulatory processes that were originally developed for water reactors. These machines are not passively fail-safe and are subjected to catastrophic radiation releases if cooling water and electricity are lost. These shortcomings are the source of the complex regulations imposed on conventional nuclear power plants.

Chapter Two: Background

Abstract

Summary of major power plant types and their evolution over the years, including contrast in efficiency.

Keywords

Coal; Gas reactor; Water reactor; Natural gas; Coal-gas; Transmission; Grid

Historical perspective

Since the dawn of 19th century, power production using heat has been an engineering challenge. Coal fired boilers, designed to generate steam subsequently used to rotate a turbine/generator, have been a mainstay for well over a 100 years. Through the years, modest efficiency improvements to reduce production costs have been made by increasing steam pressures and temperatures.

With the advent of the gas turbine in the late 1930s, the electrical production potential of these machines was quickly recognized. However, the early machines were very inefficient, and improvement efforts involved both open systems (atmospheric air pressurized, heated, routed through turbine, and discharged back to the environment) and closed systems (air internally recirculated and externally heated) [22]. Ultimately, the open system seen in today’s gas turbines won out. Ever higher temperatures and pressures are the source of the significant efficiency improvements embodied by today’s machines.

The power production capability of nuclear energy was also quickly recognized with electricity first generated in the early 1950s [24]. Several reactor types emerged from the development process. Ultimately the water cooled reactor used to produce steam emerged as today’s dominant power production facility. Efficiency improvements have been largely stagnant because of limitations associated with using water in a reactor—the fuel can overheat and melt. Gas reactors have efficiency advantages because the machines run hotter than water reactors and the fuel is not prone to melting. However, such facilities are uncommon because of the difficulties associated with high reactor temperatures.

Power

Coal Plant

Figure 2.1 Coal power plant.

Literally thousands of coal plants have been constructed over the last century. The bulk of the planet’s electrical generation has been provided by coal. Large quantities of the fuel are required and that creates major adverse environmental impacts associated with mining, emissions, and discharges from the power plants. The cost of energy from these fossil plants is moderate owing largely to the abundance of reasonably priced coal. However, increasingly more stringent environmental regulations in the United States and Europe are driving up the cost of energy from these facilities that have long served as a major force in improving the lot of mankind through their ready ability to provide electricity.

Very large numbers of new coal power plants have been and are being constructed in China and India, outpacing plant retirements in the United States and Europe. Closures in the United States are driven primarily by economic considerations in the face of much more competitive natural gas power plants. The concentration of fossil fuel derived CO2 in the planet’s atmosphere continues to rise, notwithstanding the presence of ineffective and ill-conceived climate treaties.

Note: (1) Supercritical Pulverized Coal. Steam at high pressures and temperatures, typically + 2500 psig/170 BAR and + 1000 °F/535 °C.

Power

Nuclear Plant

Gas

Figure 2.2 Gas reactor power plant.

Gas reactors were originally developed as a way to avoid the very expensive enrichment of the uranium fuel required by conventional water reactors to sustain a critical reaction in the core. Very few (about 15) of these reactors remain in operation because of the advantages of the much more widespread pressurized water reactor. Most of the remaining gas reactors are successfully being used in Great Britain, although the machines are being retired.

A utility-grade helium cooled graphite moderated gas reactor was built in the United States in the mid-1970s. The plant was a technical and financial failure—see APPENDIX D.

Notes: (1) A number of gas reactors have been deployed, but all have employed steam generators for power production because of the technical immaturity of directly using a gas turbine—see Technical chapter, End Notes, item G. (2) Advanced Gas Reactor (Great Britain) CO2 pressure and temperature: + 1665 psig/40 BAR and + 1190 °F/645 °C. Steam pressure and temperature + 2400 psig/165 BAR and + 1000 °F/540 °C. Output 660 MW (e), Reactor ~ 1500 MW (t), see Ref. [38].

Power

Nuclear Plant

Water

Figure 2.3 Pressurized water reactor power plant.

Out of the planet’s 450 or so operating nuclear power plants, about 340 are pressurized water reactors. These types of reactors predominate largely as a result of being developed in the United States on the shoulders of the technology industrialized for the US nuclear submarine fleet. The reactors produce no air pollution but do periodically emit minor levels of radioactive gases. Additionally, all nuclear plants produce relatively small amounts of highly radioactive spent fuel that must be properly contained to protect the environment and planet’s population.

The US reactors developed and deployed in the 1960s and early 1970s were financially competitive. However, the 1979 accident at the Three Mile Island nuclear plant promulgated significant numbers of new regulations.² The subsequent increased government regulatory presence greatly increased the complexity and cost of new nuclear plants, seriously jeopardizing the technology’s ability to financially compete. A large number of nuclear power plants under construction at the time of the Three Mile Island accident were ultimately abandoned.

Notes: (1) Typical steam pressure and temperature + 1000 psig/65 Bar and + 570 °F/300 °C with the reactor at ~ 2300 psig/158 Bar and + 600 °F/325 °C. (2) The accident at Three Mile Island did not expose the public to any hazardous radiation. However, the incident was a financial catastrophe because the reactor was destroyed, and the plant was never brought back into operation.

Power

Nuclear Plant

Boiling Water

Figure 2.4 Boiling water reactor power plant.

Out of the planet’s 450 or so operating nuclear power plants, less than 80 are boiling water reactors. These reactors were developed as an attempt to simplify the reactor plant by eliminating the large heat exchangers (i.e., steam generators) used by their pressurized water reactor cousins. Steam is created in the reactor and passes directly into a steam turbine. The plants produce radioactive gases during operation. The gases are periodically released into the environment from hold-up tanks that allow for reductions in radiation levels.

This type of reactor was used at the financially and environmentally devastated nuclear plants located near Fukushima, Japan.² Additionally, large numbers of similar nuclear plants in Japan were subsequently shutdown by the government and have remained off-line for years. The ensuing impact on the Japanese economy was significant as other generating facilities had to be brought into service to replace the large number of off-line nuclear plants. Some of these nuclear plants have only recently been returned to service after a nearly 9 year hiatus. Others have been retired as the cost to upgrade the facilities and public opposition was deemed to be too high.

Notes: (1) Typical steam pressure and temperature: + 1100 psig/75 Bar and + 545 °F/285 °C. (2) There are two boiling water nuclear power plants located at Fukushima, Japan: the six-unit Daiichi plant and the four-unit Daini plant. The 2011 tsunami heavily damaged both the plants. Several of the Daiichi reactors were destroyed and leaked large amounts of radioactive material into the environment. The Fukushima plants never returned to service.

Power

Natural Gas Plant

Figure 2.5 Combined-cycle power plant.

Hundreds of combined-cycle power plants are operating throughout the world. These facilities are the most compact and most efficient of all large power plants and the lowest cost to build. If reasonably priced natural gas is available, this form of generation yields the lowest price of electricity by a significant margin. The environmental impacts of the technology are very low. The plants are routinely located near large load centers, thereby reducing the power losses that occur in transmission lines. Such losses increase the price of delivered energy.

Notes: (1) Advanced gas turbine [6]. Efficiency is based on Higher Heating Value of natural gas. Typical gas firing temperatures + 2600 °F/1425 °C and pressure + 325 psig/22 BAR. Typical steam temperature and pressure + 1000 °F/540 °C and + 1800 psig/120 BAR. (2) The steam turbine’s output is typically 50% of the gas turbine’s electrical output.

Power

Coal-Gas Plant

Figure 2.6 Coal gasification power plant.

The majority of the world’s approximately 270 coal gasification plants are located in Asia and used for the production of all forms of chemicals from coal.² Very few of these plants produce electricity for public use.

Coal gasification was originally developed in the 1800s to produce gas for lighting. However, the associated environmental damage was severe due to the