Structural and Parametric Optimization of S-CO₂ Nuclear Power Plants

The transition to the use of supercritical carbon dioxide as a working fluid for power generation units will significantly reduce the equipment's overall dimensions while increasing fuel efficiency and environmental safety. Structural and parametric optimization of S-CO₂ nuclear power plants was carried out to ensure the maximum efficiency of electricity production. Based on the results of mathematical modeling, it was found that the transition to a carbon dioxide working fluid for the nuclear power plant with the BREST-OD-300 reactor leads to an increase of efficiency from 39.8 to 43.1%. Nuclear power plant transition from the Rankine water cycle to the carbon dioxide Brayton cycle with recompression is reasonable at a working fluid temperature above 455 °C due to the carbon dioxide cycle's more effective regeneration system.