Main Control Room Design to Optimize Human-System Interactions
Riley Fisher, Jake Mitstifer, and Madeline Morasca
Abstract: As plans for new Advanced Reactors (AR) continue to emerge, it is important that the Main Control Room (MCR) is designed in a way that best suits operators as they perform their daily tasks. Through developing an AR control room while utilizing current Human Reliability Analysis (HRA) methodologies such as SPAR-H and IDHEAS-ECA, the value of implementing varying levels of automation and digitization can be evaluated. These considerations will lead to an MCR that leverages the capabilities of human operators while promoting increased reliability. In turn, the likelihood of human error will decrease, thus increasing the efficiency and trustworthiness of operations. This design project is focused on developing an MCR for a molten salt reactor, with technical basis founded on the Hermes Non-Power Reactor developed by Kairos Power. It is evident that prioritizing HRA in the design process will give rise to improvements in human and reactor performance. This presentation will detail the methodology, advanced technical analysis, and constraints involved in the pursuit of designing an MCR to optimize human-machine interactions.
Coupling HTGRs to Advanced Industrial Processes with Molten Salt Thermal Energy Storage
Dae Ho Chang, Justin Munoz, and Ethan Nicolls
Abstract: Thermal energy generated in advanced nuclear reactors represents a paradigm-shifting leap in technology available to decarbonize industrial processes without loss of reliability or yield. In the United States, the EPA has identified that 23% of carbon emissions in 2020 originated in industrial processes and manufacturing. These include cement production, steel manufacturing, and various other high-temperature processes. Manufacturers typically combust natural gas, coal, or draw electricity from a fossil fuel-dominated grid to achieve these temperatures. Decarbonization with nuclear technology could be achieved with an advanced reactor design such as the HTGR, which is capable of sustaining temperatures of 750℃. Compared to conventional LWRs, an HTGR is able to provide enough heat energy at the proper temperature to drive industrial processes that would otherwise be inaccessible. This project aims to pair such a reactor system with an intermediate molten salt energy storage system. The molten salt system would allow for energy storage, enabling the system to operate far more flexibly than traditional nuclear reactors. Additionally, it enables versatility in the industrial process paired with the system. A particular focus will be placed on steam electrolysis and methanol synthesis. For high-temperature steam electrolysis, the design currently expects that an industrial efficiency of 51% could be achieved at 650℃. This method would be a more sustainable way to produce hydrogen in comparison to methane reforming. It is projected that the design would be able to produce 867.21 kg∙H_2∙〖hr〗^(-1). Comparatively, methanol synthesis would be a relatively low-energy process. The production of methanol is analyzed using synthesis gas and would require a temperature of 50℃ for the distillation column. It is projected that the amount of methanol that could be produced would be 102.5 kg 〖CH〗_3 OH∙〖hr〗^(-1).
