Performance analysis of cogeneration energy conversion system design for RDE

An Experimental Power Reactor called RDE is a non-commercial power reactor with the thermal power of 10 MW. RDE is being designed based on the high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR). The purpose of the RDE designed is to supply thermal energy for experimental purposes and to generate electricity for supplying the electricity in Serpong research area. The energy conversion system of RDE is designed in cogeneration configuration with a Rankine cycle. The outlet reactor coolant temperature of RDE is 700 °C, and the steam temperature at the outlet of the steam generator is 530 °C. The performance analysis of the RDE energy conversion system is concentrated on two parameters are the thermal efficiency and the energy utilization factor (EUF). This research aims to calculate and analyse the optimal of the two parameters in the RDE energy conversion system. Calculation and analysis of the performance of the RDE energy conversion system are performed by simulation using computer code ChemCad. The simulation results show that the energy utilization factor of the cogeneration for the RDE energy conversion system can increase by more than 60%. It can be concluded that the energy conversion system in a cogeneration configuration can increase the EUF.