advanced exergy analysis of combined Gas Turbine-Modular Helium Reactor/organic Rankine cycle

This paper studies and compares the combined cycle of a helium reactor gas turbine with an organic Rankine cycle from exergy and advanced exergy analysis. Using Equation Solving Engineering (EES) software, this cycle is modeled, and the results of conventional energy and exergy analysis are obtained. Then, it has been studied to determine the appropriate modification of cycle component improvement from the perspective of advanced exergy analysis. Advanced exergy analysis provides accurate information about the real potential of system performance improvement by dividing each component's exergy destruction into endogenous, exogenous, avoidable, and unavoidable parts. The results of advanced exergy analysis show that by modifying and upgrading the system components, about 19.1% of the total exergy destruction of the system can be reduced. Advanced exergy analysis by considering the avoidable endogenous part of each component prioritizes improvement to the compressor and then to the reactor and gas turbine. However, from conventional exergy analysis, the amount of exergy destruction of the reactor is higher than that of the compressor. Therefore, modifying the reactor is a priority. In addition, based on the prioritization of advanced exergy analysis, it is possible to increase the cycle exergy efficiency from 75.21% to 82.51% and the cycle energy efficiency from 51% to 56.25%.