A Simulation-Based Optimization of The Secondary Loop of Gentilly-2 Nuclear Power Plant

Abstract

Increasing the thermodynamic efficiency of fossil fuel or nuclear power plants can lead to significant economic gains. Consequently, the continuous quest of searching higher efficiency in power plants has resulted in the development of innovative tools to comply with these needs. Although a large inventory of simulation tools is available for industrial applications, sometimes it is more appropriate to develop in-house models that are more suitable for treating specific energy systems. In the present work, a combined simulation-optimization tool was developed and used to optimize the secondary loop of the Gentilly-2 nuclear power plant. Based on previous studies [1] the optimizer module has been now coupled with a thermodynamic model, written in Matlab, used as a plant simulation tool. It includes models that take into account the responses of major thermal units, i.e., condenser, moisture separator reheater (MSR) and feedwater heaters. The simulation package is used to estimate the behavior of the power station according to the variation of a given number of plant-operation parameters. The proposed methodology permits a set of better trade-off operating conditions of the secondary loop to be determined, and thus providing a better and more realistic support to plant operators. The results also clearly show that there is plenty of potential to improve the overall performance of the power station.