POTENTIAL OF ORC APPLICATIONS FOR NUCLEAR MICROREACTORS

Abstract

Nuclear power is increasingly understood as a key component in the low-carbon energy future, and ORC systems might be a viable part of its power conversion system. Microreactors are an increasingly favored and developed concept — systems scaled down to typically less than 20 MWe, offering advantages such as full factory production, transportability by trucks, and modular applicability for power, process heat, and combined heat and power (CHP) production.

The technology can range from scaled-down light water reactors operating below 300 °C to high-temperature reactors with working media exceeding 750 °C. While development continues in the primary reactor component, solutions for power conversion systems are often assumed to rely on off-the-shelf technologies, without extensive analysis. However, the possibilities of power conversion systems need to be better understood — and given the size and temperature range of some of these systems, ORC appears to be among the most feasible solutions.

This work therefore classifies several power cycle options, with a specific focus on the potential for ORC systems. Potential application scenarios are identified, ranging from ORC as the main power conversion cycle to hybrid configurations with air Brayton and supercritical CO₂ cycles, where ORC would serve as a bottoming cycle.

The summary provides guidance on microreactor applications that are particularly well suited for ORC integration.