Pipeline system for heat transportation from nuclear power plant — An optimizing approach

Over the last few years heat piping insulation technology and pump systems efficiency have been significantly improved. Reduced thermal losses encourage heat transportation over long distances. It provides an opportunity for increasing thermodynamic efficiency of Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) that are often located in rural areas because of safety issues. It can be achieved by Combined Heat and Power (CHP) generation, as heat produced in cogeneration mode can now by effectively used for distant District Heating (DH). Methodology for optimal design of Heat Transportation System (HTS) between NPP and DH network is investigated. Static model of HTS has been proposed and used in multi-criteria, hybrid, nonlinear and constrained optimization task in order to minimize construction and operation costs of HTS. These costs are minimized over presumed system lifetime and under variation of annual heat demand within DH area. Moreover, the issues of: terrain elevation profile, variability of ground temperature and insulation aging are taken into account. The methodology was tested on case study example of intended NPP located in Northern Poland.